Why Women Attorneys Can be at Higher Risk for PTSD (And What to Do About It)
Being a woman in the legal profession is an accomplishment—but it’s also an emotional and psychological challenge. The pressures of high-stakes cases, long hours, and a demanding work culture can take a toll on mental health. However, few women attorneys realize that they may be at an increased risk for PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) due to the unique stressors of their profession.
While most people associate PTSD with military veterans or survivors of extreme trauma, attorneys—especially women—experience trauma in ways that are often overlooked. From secondary trauma through client cases to workplace harassment and toxic firm cultures, the legal field can be an emotionally taxing environment.
If you’re a woman attorney struggling with anxiety, emotional numbness, intrusive thoughts, or burnout that just won’t go away, it might not just be “stress”—it could be legal profession-induced PTSD. This post explores why female attorneys may be at higher risk and, more importantly, what you can do about it.
Why Are Women Attorneys at Higher Risk for PTSD?
1. Secondary Trauma from Clients' Cases
One of the biggest risk factors for PTSD among attorneys is secondary trauma, also known as vicarious trauma. Women attorneys who handle emotionally intense cases—such as family law, criminal defense, immigration, or personal injury—are constantly exposed to clients' distressing stories of abuse, violence, injustice, and suffering.
Divorce attorneys witness domestic abuse survivors relive their trauma.
Criminal defense lawyers work with clients accused of or affected by violent crimes.
Immigration lawyers deal with cases of asylum seekers fleeing war, persecution, or human trafficking.
Personal injury attorneys listen to horrific accident details and medical trauma.
Over time, hearing these stories can lead to compassion fatigue—a state of emotional exhaustion where attorneys begin to experience symptoms similar to PTSD, including nightmares, intrusive thoughts, emotional numbness, and anxiety.
What to Do:
Recognize the signs of secondary trauma: emotional exhaustion, cynicism, irritability, or feeling detached from your work.
Set emotional boundaries by limiting exposure to traumatic details when possible.
Consider EMDR therapy, which is designed to help process trauma quickly and effectively, even for professionals who experience it indirectly.
2. Workplace Harassment & Gender Bias in Law Firms
Despite progress in gender equality, many female attorneys still experience workplace harassment, discrimination, or toxic work environments.
Studies show that women attorneys face higher rates of sexual harassment compared to many other professions.
Female attorneys are less likely to make partner and often struggle against an ingrained "old boys' club" culture.
Women of color in law face an additional layer of discrimination and bias, further increasing stress levels.
Workplace bullying from colleagues or superiors can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and even PTSD symptoms.
When harassment or discrimination is persistent and unresolved, it can create a toxic work environment that takes a serious toll on mental health. For some, it leads to hypervigilance, panic attacks, sleep disturbances, and avoidance behaviors—all classic signs of PTSD.
What to Do:
Document everything if you are experiencing harassment or discrimination.
Seek support through legal advocacy groups for women in law.
Work with a trauma therapist or EMDR specialist to process any lingering distress from workplace harassment.
3. The "Tough It Out" Culture in Law Firms
The legal profession can be known for its high-pressure, workaholic culture. Attorneys are expected to work long hours, always be available, and push through stress without showing signs of emotional struggle.
For women attorneys, the pressure can be even greater—many feel they have to work twice as hard to prove themselves in male-dominated firms.
Sleep deprivation and chronic stress from excessive caseloads weaken the brain’s ability to process trauma.
Many attorneys turn to alcohol, prescription meds, or unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress.
The stigma surrounding mental health in law discourages attorneys from seeking therapy.
This cycle can prevent proper trauma recovery, leaving women attorneys more vulnerable to PTSD, anxiety, and burnout.
What to Do:
Normalize self-care as an essential part of career success, not a weakness.
Seek EMDR therapy, which works efficiently to process traumatic experiences without requiring years of talk therapy.
Advocate for better mental health policies in your firm or organization.
4. High-Conflict Cases & Ethical Dilemmas
Women attorneys who handle high-conflict litigation, wrongful convictions, or ethical dilemmas often experience moral injury—a form of psychological distress that occurs when one’s personal values are compromised.
For example:
Defending a guilty client or witnessing legal injustice can create internal ethical conflicts.
Handling emotionally charged family law cases can cause long-term distress.
Corporate attorneys making high-stakes decisions may struggle with the weight of their choices.
Over time, this moral conflict can contribute to PTSD-like symptoms, including self-doubt, guilt, insomnia, and emotional detachment.
What to Do:
Seek professional supervision or peer support groups to process difficult cases.
Work with a trauma therapist trained in working with high-stress professionals.
Use EMDR therapy to resolve emotional distress from difficult legal decisions.
How EMDR Therapy Can Help Women Attorneys Heal from Trauma
If you recognize yourself in these experiences, know this: You don’t have to live with trauma symptoms forever.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is one of the most effective trauma treatments for busy professionals. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR works quickly to help your brain process traumatic experiences so they no longer trigger distress.
Why EMDR is Ideal for Women Attorneys:
Fast & Time-Efficient – Sessions focus on results, not years of therapy.
No Need to Retell the Story in Detail – You don’t have to relive trauma repeatedly.
Works on Secondary Trauma & Workplace Stress – Helps attorneys manage client-related trauma and work-induced PTSD.
Improves Focus, Sleep, and Emotional Regulation – Essential for high-performing women in demanding careers.
If you’re experiencing anxiety, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, emotional numbness, or burnout that won’t go away, EMDR can help you get back to feeling in control—without taking time off from your career.
Services Offered with Kate Regnier, LCSW and EMDR Therapist
Are you a woman struggling with PTSD and anxiety after experiencing a recent trauma? Kate Regnier, LCSW and EMDR Therapist, can help you process through trauma that has upended your life, while helping you to feel lighter, less burdened with anxiety and dread, and to dull the sharpness of recent trauma in your body and mind. Kate also offer online EMDR Therapy for women experiencing unexpected grief who are struggling with intense images and flashbacks and feelings of hopelessness in Georgetown, Chevy Chase, and McLean. Kate see’s clients virtually in Virginia, Maryland, D.C., Indiana, and Michigan. To learn more about Kate, visit the page Meet Kate and check out more on the blog!
Disclaimer* The content provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapy or medical advice. While I strive to ensure the accuracy of the information shared, I cannot guarantee that all information is current or correct. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions based on this post.
