Childhood Trauma

Many lawyers with a history of childhood trauma enter the profession, unconsciously seeking to heal by helping others similarly situated. While a noble aim, it dramatically increases risk for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder.

Trauma Intertwined in Profession

Trauma is not necessarily what comes to mind when one thinks of lawyers and judges. Yet a surprising number of us come from traumatic backgrounds and childhoods. In fact, many folks who enter the legal profession do so precisely because of the historic trauma we have experienced. Maybe we want to work in the child welfare arena to stop the type of abuse or neglect we experienced as a child. Or maybe we want to prosecute criminal cases because of an attack we suffered years ago. Trauma is inextricably intertwined in our profession and for many of us as practitioners.

Many Lawyers Retraumatized

For those of us who parlayed our childhood trauma into this profession, where we diligently work to rectify the pain of the past, it will not heal our personal wounds. That is different work, that if left unaddressed, can be a real set up. We must recognize that as noble and important as our work is, if we are not healed internally, we will be re-traumatized over and over again by the cases we encounter.