When Work Hurts: Processing Traumatic Experiences as a Healthcare Worker

Working in healthcare means being present for some of life’s most critical moments. But it also means being exposed to pain, grief, and crisis sometimes day after day. While healthcare workers are trained to care for others, they’re not immune to the emotional impact of what they witness. And yet, many struggle to make space for their own healing.

At UPI Health, we support frontline workers who have experienced trauma on the job. Whether it was a sudden loss, a distressing event, or the emotional toll of ongoing care, therapy offers a safe space to process what you’ve seen, felt and carried.

What Counts as Trauma in the Workplace?

Trauma isn’t always one big event. In healthcare, it can take many forms:

• Witnessing patient suffering or death

• Providing care during emergencies or disasters

• Being involved in medical errors or adverse outcomes

• Experiencing verbal or physical assault

• Feeling helpless in high-pressure situations

• Carrying cumulative stress from emotionally charged environments

Even when incidents are “part of the job,” they can leave lasting emotional marks. You may find yourself thinking about them long after your shift ends—in dreams, in sudden moments of anxiety, or in your struggle to feel present with loved ones.

Common Reactions to Workplace Trauma

If you've witnessed something difficult at work, it’s normal to experience:

• Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks

• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating

• Feelings of guilt, shame, or helplessness

• Avoidance of reminders of the event (like specific procedures or patient types)

• Emotional numbness or disconnection

These are signs your nervous system is doing its best to cope. But without support, they can become overwhelming—and lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, or even PTSD.

Why Many Healthcare Workers Don’t Seek Help

Healthcare culture often praises resilience and self-sacrifice. While those values foster dedication and teamwork, they can also make it harder to ask for support. Many professionals fear being seen as “weak” or worry that taking a step back will impact their role or their team.

But the truth is: seeking help is a sign of strength. Therapy allows you to process difficult experiences so you can continue showing up for your patients and for yourself.

How Therapy Can Help

1. A Safe Space to Talk

Therapy offers a private, judgment-free space to share what you’ve witnessed and how it’s affected you.

2. Processing Trauma

With a trauma-informed therapist, you’ll explore your experience at a pace that feels manageable using techniques like grounding, narrative therapy, or EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

3. Rebuilding Emotional Balance

Therapy helps you recognize triggers, manage stress responses and restore a sense of safety and clarity in your daily life.

4. Preventing Long-Term Effects

Early support can reduce the risk of developing more serious mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, or chronic burnout.

You Deserve Support Too

At UPI Health, we believe that caregivers need care too. Whether you're a nurse, paramedic, physician, technician or support staff, your mental health matters.

We offer virtual counselling that fits your schedule and connects you with therapists who understand the demands and realities of working in healthcare.

Ready to Take the First Step?

If you’ve witnessed something distressing at work and it’s still sitting heavy with you, therapy can help lighten the load.

✨ Book your free consultation with us today. We’ll help match you with a therapist who understands and supports your journey.

Because showing up for others shouldn’t mean losing yourself in the process.