How Secondary Trauma Affects Attorney Mental Health

Cynthia Sharp and Becky Howlett effectively communicate the dire, poignant topic of secondary trauma in the legal profession in this thought-provoking and important course.

Secondary trauma—or compassion fatigue, as Ms. Sharp calls it—affects many lawyers. Attorneys are especially susceptible due to their unique career that requires them to balance the sometimes difficult moments of their career with the reality of their personal lives. Although data shows that vicarious trauma is quite common amongst those who work in a high-stress, high-stakes environment like lawyers, it is rarely discussed due to stigma. Ms. Sharp and Ms. Howlett explain how stigma and internal repression can lead to unproductive coping mechanisms, exacerbating the problem. They go on to explain how lawyers can identify the symptoms of secondary trauma and work to mitigate them so they can live normal work and personal lives.

Ms. Sharp and Ms. Howlett reiterate how any trauma or mental health issues should not be approached with shame. Instead, the legal field needs to create open and honest conversations to mitigate stressors and prevent the debilitating symptoms of secondary trauma.