Case study: How trauma-informed career coaching can support domestic abuse survivors to thrive in the workplace

Dr Genevieve Groom, Occupational Psychology Consultant and Founder of Choices

Trauma-informed and trauma-sensitive career coaching acknowledges the impact of trauma on a person’s 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 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.

Case study: Flying High

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 help them regain control of their lives and careers, creating a compassionate environment with a lasting impact on the whole of your workforce.

A quote from EIDA Ambassador Andrew Lane on his experience of career coaching after domestic abuse

"For a long time after I separated from my ex, the idea of career development was completely alien to me…like being asked to swim the channel when it’s an effort just to stay afloat. 

Counselling helped me to improve my mental health and rebuild on a personal level but it was the opportunity to work with a professional work Coach that allowed me to understand the intersection between my home and work life, to build resilience and to think about the longer-term journey. This experience was transformative from a leadership and management perspective too however – allowing me to see how my experiences could shape my own leadership style and how I could pay forward the wonderful support I’d received." - Shared from Six things I wish every employer knew about domestic abuse by Andrew Lane