Toxic Work Environment Trauma: How to Recognize and Heal With Trauma Therapy
Toxic work culture is a real thing, and if you have experienced it, you may need trauma therapy. Have you had a boss who was so focused on finding success for themselves that they made everyone else around them miserable, overworking their staff, humiliating people when they did not perform how they wanted them to, or not acknowledging personal hardships such as a sick family member, accident recovery, or other life event that you were going through?
You tell yourself you need to work harder, and you do, but the bar always seems to be moved. Or that you’re not receiving credit for your work, or that toxic work habits are the only habits reinforced, leaving you feeling depleted and empty. Your career is finding some potential for success, but at the cost of your well-being. Whether it is unrealistic expectations, hypercritical performance evaluations, or a micromanaging boss, your work has become miserable. All of these things can be a source of workforce trauma.
How Do You Know if You Have Workforce Trauma?
Oftentimes, when you experience trauma, the first thing you can look for are the physical symptoms you are experiencing in your body. Have you noticed that you are getting consistent headaches, that your stomach feels more sensitive, that you feel a body buzz, that your hands are shaky, have difficulty making decisions, or that your heart rate increases whenever it is around work issues? These are a few ways that your body can tell you something is wrong.
You may notice it is taking longer to get your assignments completed because of a lack of focus. Maybe you’re more distracted, or your performance may drop due to fatigue or a lack of motivation. Or you dread going into work, and you find yourself sending pleas to the universe to just give you the strength to get through the next day. You return home exhausted, turn down time with friends, have all but stopped working out, and eat for comfort if you can eat at all. You look tired, you feel awful, and you know that this lifestyle is not sustainable. I understand what it is like, and as a trauma therapist at Southern Pine Counseling, I know how to get you back on track.
What Are Some Examples of Things That Cause Workplace Trauma?
Not every trauma is a big, life-changing event. We often think that trauma comes from one big event, such as harassment from a boss or co-workers, assault, or blatant discrimination, and while all these things can happen, you can be experiencing trauma every day, little by little, that is depleting your self-esteem and robbing you of the magic that used to make you shine. Wanting some examples of what could be dragging you down- think about the following:
When Your Ideas Are Stolen
You are chatting with a friend or a supervisor, and you share an idea you have been kicking around. You do not think anything of it until the next meeting, when that person pirates your idea and claims it for their own. You are left dumbfounded, speechless, and betrayed. You thought you were friends, that this person had your back, and now what you had in your back pocket to help you progress towards that next promotion is gone. It sends the message that you are not valued and that you cannot trust people, which is a common feeling associated with trauma.
Being Talked Over and Dismissed
You are in a meeting or presenting an idea with a partner, and another person begins to talk over you. They do not let you finish your thoughts. This makes you feel pushed aside again, like you do not matter and that what you are saying is not important. Again, this chips away at your self-esteem, making you less motivated, less energetic, and less likely to speak up and take the risks you need to succeed.
Microaggressions and Discriminatory Comments
Sometimes it is something more, like being told to sit out a meeting because they want a “different face” to go in and present to the group, as it relates to your appearance. Maybe it is calling names when something does not go well. Having people point out that you are behind because you had to tend to a sick child. Maybe it's a joke about something you said in confidence to someone. The words we receive at work matter.
How Trauma Therapy in Sugar Land, TX Can Help
If you have noticed any of these things, coming to get trauma therapy in Sugar Land, TX at Southern Pine Counseling can get you back on track. It can help you rebuild your confidence, get back to the career and life goals that matter to you, and feel happy again. Give us a call today.
Reclaim Your Confidence and Career with Trauma Therapy in Sugar Land, TX"
If workplace stress is stealing your joy and draining your energy, you don't have to face it alone. Trauma therapy in Sugar Land, TX can help you process what you've experienced, rebuild your self-worth, and rediscover the confidence that makes you shine. At Southern Pine Counseling, we're here to guide you back to the career and life you deserve. Follow these three simple steps to get started:
Schedule a free 15-minute consult to see if trauma therapy in Sugar Land, TX can help you recover from workplace trauma.
Meet with a compassionate trauma therapist who understands toxic work environments.
Begin reclaiming your confidence without letting work trauma control your life!
Additional Services Offered at Southern Pine Counseling
When a toxic work environment keeps your nervous system stuck on high alert, healing begins by learning how to feel safe and confident again. Trauma therapy in Sugar Land, TX creates space to move out of survival mode, process the daily erosion of your self-worth, and rebuild trust in yourself and your abilities at Southern Pine Counseling.
In addition to workplace trauma-focused work, I also support clients through EMDR therapy, anxiety, OCD, depression, and major life transitions like career changes, job loss, or navigating difficult work relationships. You'll find support for nervous system regulation, boundary setting with colleagues and supervisors, and releasing shame-based beliefs that workplace trauma leaves behind. Explore the blog for grounded insights and practical tools designed to help you reclaim your confidence and move forward without letting work trauma run the show.
About the Author
Alyssia Anderson, LCSW, is the founder of Southern Pine Counseling in Sugar Land, TX, specializing in helping professionals heal from workplace trauma, anxiety, and the lasting effects of toxic work environments. She combines EMDR, CBT, DBT, and trauma-focused techniques with a warm, non-judgmental approach. With years of clinical experience and personal insight as a parent managing work-life balance, Alyssia creates a safe space where clients can process their experiences, restore their confidence, and reclaim the careers and lives they deserve.
