Trauma and Returning to Work: Women’s Lived Experiences and its Implications for Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling

Abstract

This study examined the experiences of fifteen women trauma survivors who were returning to work. All participants had histories of interpersonal violence and were receiving mental health counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and vocational services from a state vocational rehabilitation program. Using a feminist qualitative research method, the participants were interviewed and the data analyzed for common and emergent themes. The findings highlight their experiences with vocational counseling and counselors, and underscore significant factors that affected their return to work including health concerns, mental health treatment, family and community support, and accessing resources. Implications for vocational rehabilitation counselors include increased awareness of the challenges that influence mental health, career decision making, job readiness, and a need for examining institutional barriers.