June 27th is PTSD Awareness Day, and while the term might conjure images of soldiers returning from war zones, post-traumatic stress disorder is far more common than most people realise. For many of the clients you work with, particularly in areas like personal injury or family law, PTSD is not just a possibility; it is a likely and often overlooked part of their experience.
As professionals in coaching and therapy who work closely with the legal sector, we want to share some insight into what PTSD can look like in your clients, and how you, as a trusted legal advisor, can support them with greater understanding and empathy.
What is PTSD?
PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder. It is a mental health condition that can develop after someone has been through a frightening or deeply distressing event. This might include a serious car accident, prolonged domestic abuse, sexual violence or even witnessing harm to someone else.
For your clients, trauma does not end when the incident does. The legal process may feel like another battle entirely. What might seem like a straightforward case to you can be an emotionally charged experience for them, one that reopens wounds and triggers powerful emotional responses.
The Personal Injury Client
Take for example a client pursuing a personal injury claim after a road traffic collision. On paper, you are dealing with liability, medical reports and compensation schedules. But behind that might be a person who is struggling to sleep because they replay the crash every night. They might feel unsafe walking near traffic or avoid driving altogether.
You might notice that they cancel appointments at the last minute or seem anxious when discussing parts of the incident. This is not avoidance in the casual sense; it is often a trauma response. Their nervous system may be in overdrive, constantly scanning for danger even in situations that are objectively safe.
Trauma can affect memory too. You might wonder why a client cannot give you a clear account or timeline. This is not because they are being evasive. The brain processes traumatic memories differently, often making them fragmented and confusing for the person trying to explain them.
The Divorcing Woman Escaping Abuse
In family law, you may represent women who have endured years of domestic abuse. The legal process may offer her a route to safety, but it also forces her to relive her trauma in a highly structured and often adversarial system.
She may appear guarded, defensive or even emotionally detached. These are not signs of someone being difficult. They are often signs of someone who has had to survive in chaos and protect herself by shutting down her emotions.
She might have symptoms like flashbacks, hypervigilance or panic attacks. She may seem forgetful or slow to respond. These are classic PTSD responses, and they can be exacerbated by the pressure of giving evidence, attending court or even being in the same room as her abuser.How You Can Support Clients with PTSD
You are not expected to be a therapist, but your role can be a vital one in helping a traumatised client feel safer and more understood. Here are a few simple ways you can help:
- Be trauma informed: Understand that behaviours that look like avoidance or inconsistency might be rooted in fear, not resistance.
- Slow it down: Give them time to process questions and avoid rushing through meetings.
- Offer predictability: Trauma often comes with a loss of control. Let clients know what to expect at each stage and explain things clearly and calmly.
- Seek regular therapeutic supervision: You need a safe place to offload and understand these stressful situations.
- Refer to support: If you suspect a client is struggling, gently signpost them to therapy or specialist services. A well-timed referral can be life-changing.
Why This Matters
The legal process can either re-traumatise or empower your client. A trauma-informed lawyer can make all the difference. Not only will you be better equipped to build trust and gather information, but your client is also more likely to engage fully with the process when they feel seen and supported.
