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Creating inclusive workplaces for neurodiverse or trauma-impacted employees
The modern workplace often assumes a “one-size-fits-all” model of communication, focus, and productivity. However for neurodiverse individuals, and those impacted by trauma, this model can be exhausting, overwhelming, or even unsafe. Neurodiversity includes ADHD, autism, dyslexia, sensory sensitivities, and more.Trauma impacts cognition, attention, and nervous system regulation.Both are invisible and deeply relevant to workplace inclusion. 🧬 The overlap: trauma and neurodivergence While they are distinct experiences, trauma and neurodivergence share common traits: Both groups are often misread as: These labels mask what’s often a mismatch between environment and nervous system. 📊 The stats 🛠️ What inclusion looks like in practice 1. Universal design Design environments that work for everyone, not…
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Supporting employees with refugee or migration experiences: a guide for leaders and HR
Refugee and migration experiences are more than just relocation stories. They often carry profound psychological, social, and systemic impacts — from trauma and grief to identity loss and culture shock. For HR professionals, this means going beyond surface-level inclusion and creating a workplace that is truly responsive to the realities of displacement. 🌍 The impact of forced migration on mental health According to UNHCR and the WHO: 🧠 Trauma and the workplace People with refugee or migration backgrounds may: And importantly, they may not disclose any of this. That’s why trauma-informed practices are essential, regardless of what you know. 🛠️ Practical strategies for HR & Leaders 1. Avoid assumptions Don’t…
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From conflict to compassion: managing team disagreements with a trauma-informed lens
Workplace conflict is inevitable. But how we handle it, especially with trauma-informed awareness, makes all the difference. Conflict doesn’t have to be destructive. In fact, it can deepen trust if handled with care, empathy, and nervous system literacy. 🔥 What conflict can trigger (and why it matters)? For people with trauma histories, conflict can: Unresolved trauma makes conflict feel like danger, not dialogue. 💡 A trauma-informed approach to conflict. 1. Regulate first, talk later If emotions are high, pause. Let everyone self-regulate first. Safety before solutions. 2. Curiosity over judgment Shift from “Who’s right?” to “What happened here?”Understand each person’s story before jumping to conclusions. 3. Use grounding language Instead…
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What HR should know about trauma-informed workplaces?
Trauma is more common than we think. According to the WHO, 1 in 3 people globally will experience trauma in their lifetime. And yet, workplaces often lack the awareness to support employees who are living with the impacts of trauma or being re-triggered by the environment. A trauma-informed workplace is one that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and creates systems of safety, choice, and empowerment. ⚠️ What counts as trauma? Trauma isn’t just about war or abuse. It includes: As Gabor Maté notes, “Trauma is not what happens to you, but what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you.” 🧬 The science: what trauma does…
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How to support employees through collective trauma and crisis?
(e.g., war, global events, humanitarian emergencies) Whether it’s war, natural disaster, or humanitarian crisis, global events don’t stay “outside the office.” For many employees, especially those with personal, cultural, or geographic ties, these events impact their emotional well-being, attention, and sense of safety. And yet, in many workplaces, these crises are met with silence, avoidance, or “business as usual.”That silence can feel like abandonment. 🌍 What is collective trauma? Collective trauma is a psychological reaction that occurs when a group of people experience a shared threat or loss, such as war, terrorism, forced migration, or environmental disaster. According to Judith Herman (1992), trauma is not just about the event —…
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Life after a narcissist: reclaiming yourself with science on your side
Leaving a relationship with a narcissist can feel like stepping out of a fog. You may finally be free, but also exhausted, confused, and full of self-doubt. The question so many people ask is: “Why do I still feel broken when the narcissist is no longer in my life?” You’re not alone, and your feelings make perfect sense. Let’s look at what the research tells us about life after narcissistic abuse, how it impacts your brain and body, and what recovery truly involves. The trauma bond: why it’s so hard to walk away One of the most confusing things survivors face is how attached they still feel, even after experiencing…
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Understanding EMDR therapy: A science-based approach to healing trauma
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful therapy that helps people recover from trauma and distressing life experiences. Initially developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR is now recognized as an evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions. But how does it work, and why is it effective? Let’s break it down in a simple, science-backed way. How trauma affects the brain? When we experience something traumatic, our brain sometimes struggles to process the event properly. Normally, memories are stored in a way that allows us to recall them without distress. However, trauma can cause these memories to become…
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How Trauma and Anxiety Interconnect
Trauma and anxiety are closely linked, often creating a cycle that can be difficult to break. Experiencing trauma can fundamentally alter the way the brain and body respond to stress, leading to persistent feelings of fear, hyper-vigilance, and worry. Understanding how trauma and anxiety are interconnected can shed light on why some individuals struggle with chronic anxiety after traumatic events and provide insights into effective ways to address these challenges. The Connection Between Trauma and Anxiety Trauma occurs when an individual experiences an event or series of events that overwhelm their ability to cope. This can include physical or emotional abuse, accidents, natural disasters, or combat experiences. Trauma disrupts the…
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Grounding Techniques for Overcoming Dissociation
Dissociation can feel overwhelming, like you’re not entirely present in your own life. It’s a coping mechanism that often occurs during or after traumatic experiences, leaving people feeling disconnected from their thoughts, emotions, or surroundings. Grounding techniques are practical, evidence-based tools that help bring you back to the present moment, reducing the impact of dissociation. Let’s explore what grounding techniques are, how they work, and how you can use them in everyday life. What Are Grounding Techniques? Grounding techniques are strategies designed to anchor you to the present moment when you feel detached or overwhelmed. They work by engaging your senses, thoughts, or body, helping you reconnect with the here…
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What is dissociation? A Guide to Understanding the Experience
Dissociation is a psychological phenomenon that many people experience, but it’s often misunderstood. At its core, dissociation is a mental process where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of identity. While this might sound alarming, dissociation is actually a natural response to overwhelming stress or trauma. Let’s break it down in a way that makes sense. What Does Dissociation Feel Like? Imagine zoning out while driving and realizing you can’t remember the last five minutes of your journey. Or perhaps you’ve felt like you were observing yourself from outside your body during an intense moment. These are common, everyday forms of dissociation. For some people, dissociation…
