Integrating trauma-informed care into career counseling: A response to COVID-19 job loss for Black, indigenous, and people of color

Abstract

The drastic increase among the U.S. unemployment rate led to increased trauma among those who lost their job as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Combined with racial and ethnic disparities, the culmination of these traumatic stressors creates unique challenges and barriers for individuals from historically marginalized populations and low socioeconomic backgrounds. In this article, we explore how trauma-informed care can be integrated into career development practices for career practitioners. We provide a conceptualization of trauma-informed practice, interventions, and practical implications for career practitioners to incorporate in their work with historically marginalized clients.