Trauma-informed coaching for domestic abuse survivors
Trauma-informed and trauma-sensitive coaching acknowledges the impact of trauma on workplace behaviour and career decisions. Specially trained coaches create a safe, supportive environment, adapting to the client’s emotional needs and helping them progress in their career without triggering or overwhelming them.
Survivors of domestic abuse often face long-term emotional and psychological challenges that can make it difficult to focus on and succeed in their careers. Employers can play a key role in helping survivors regain confidence and rebuild their professional lives, but many may not know where to start. Trauma-informed career coaching offers an effective solution that that can help survivors navigate the unique hurdles they face and support them to move forward in their careers.
Long-term impacts of domestic abuse on careers
It is well known that domestic abuse can disrupt a survivor’s working life during the relationship, but survivors may carry the emotional and psychological toll into their professional lives long after the abuse has ended. Recent research conducted in the UK has shown that survivors can struggle for years with low confidence, self-doubt, and difficulty concentrating at work[1]. These lingering effects lead to lowered performance and missed opportunities for career growth, making it challenging to maintain stability and progress professionally.
How trauma-informed career coaching can help
Employers can help survivors to overcome these challenges by facilitating access to trauma-informed career coaching. This type of coaching acknowledges the emotional and practical barriers survivors face and provides individualised support to help them rebuild their professional lives.
Flying High, a coaching programme offered by social business Choices[2], shows how effective this type of support can be. The programme offers survivors one-to-one, online sessions with specialised coaches, supporting them to address emotional and psychological challenges while focusing on their careers.
An independent evaluation of Flying High[3] revealed overwhelmingly positive feedback, demonstrating the transformative potential of trauma-informed coaching. Clients described the experience as "life-changing" and "empowering", reporting feeling more confident and better prepared to pursue career opportunities.
One client explained, “The coaching gave me confidence to take control of my life and career again, something I hadn’t felt in a long time,” while another shared, “I feel like I’m stepping forward without looking back.” The evaluation showed that the programme not only facilitated career progression but also had a broader impact, fostering greater confidence, resilience, and optimism in the clients' lives.
How employers benefit
Providing workplace support for survivors not only helps the individuals but also offers significant benefits to employers. Research highlights that when employers offer supportive measures employees experience greater well-being, which enhances productivity and reduces absenteeism. This contributes to a more inclusive and loyal workforce, improving retention rates and reducing the costs associated with turnover[4],[5].
Employers who actively address domestic abuse create a compassionate workplace culture that promotes trust and support across the entire workforce[6].
Conclusion
Long-term workplace support for domestic abuse survivors is essential in helping them rebuild their professional and personal lives. Flying High shows how trauma-informed career coaching is one way to empower survivors to overcome the unique challenges they face and thrive in their careers.
Make a difference for survivors in your workplace by providing support that helps them regain control of their lives and careers, creating a compassionate environment with a lasting impact on the whole of your workforce.
[1]Groom, G. (2024). A qualitative exploration of how domestic abuse impacts the work and careers of women victim-survivors (Master’s thesis, University of East London). University of East London Repository.
[3] Tortoriello, M (2024). Evaluation of the Flying High Programme: High level findings.
[4] ICAEW. (2021, January 22). How employers can help provide support for domestic abuse victims at work. ICAEW. https://www.icaew.com
[5] CIPD. (2020, November 16). Managing and supporting employees experiencing domestic abuse. CIPD. https://www.cipd.org
[6] OUP. (2023). Managing and supporting employees who experience domestic abuse. Occupational Medicine. https://academic.oup.com/
