They witness crisis, loss, injustice, and human suffering—sometimes directly, sometimes through repeated exposure to others' experiences.
Over time, unprocessed stress and trauma—both direct, job-related trauma and secondary traumatic stress—can accumulate. Without support, this exposure often leads to burnout, compassion fatigue, moral distress, and, for some, PTSD.
But there is another pathway.
When people are given the tools, space, and supportive environment to process what they’ve experienced, trauma does not have to be the end of the story. With intention and care, it can become a catalyst for Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG).
Post-Traumatic Growth is the positive psychological change that can emerge from the struggle with highly challenging or traumatic experiences.
PTG does not suggest that trauma is good, necessary, or something to be minimized. Rather, it recognizes a powerful truth:
How people are supported after trauma matters.
At Sankofa Leadership, we approach PTG as a non-clinical, skills-based, person-centered practice that supports people who carry trauma as part of their work—particularly first responders and professionals across human services systems.
Trauma does not lead to a single outcome.
Without intentional support, cumulative stress often shows up as:
With the right conditions, however, people can integrate what they’ve experienced—rather than carrying it alone—and experience growth alongside difficulty.
Organizations such as Boulder Crest Foundation and decades of research on PTG show that growth and distress can coexist. People do not need to be “fixed” or rushed toward positivity. They need permission, language, and support to process what the work asks of them.
Stronger relationships, deeper empathy, and greater willingness to both give and receive support.
At work: healthier peer support, less isolation, and more trust after hard moments.
A re-evaluation of priorities and openness to new paths or ways of working.
At work: renewed purpose, clearer boundaries, or re-engagement with the mission.
A deeper sense of resilience and confidence—“I can survive hard things.”
At work: improved emotional regulation and confidence under pressure.
Shifts in values, beliefs, or meaning—religious or not.
At work: reconnection to why the work matters, or clarity about what no longer aligns.
Increased presence, gratitude, and clarity about what matters most.
At work: less autopilot, more intentional and values-aligned practice.
Supporting Post-Traumatic Growth is not a wellness “add-on.” It is a workforce sustainability strategy.
When organizations intentionally support PTG-aligned practices, they often see:
✔ Reduced stigma around stress and impact
✔ Stronger team connection and communication
✔Healthier responses after difficult incidents or cases
✔ Improved morale and retention
✔ Greater capacity to remain person-centered under pressure
PTG is not about forcing growth or asking people to “bounce back.” It is about creating conditions for integration, reflection, and meaning-making—at the individual, team, and leadership levels.
At Sankofa Leadership, we believe care must be person-centered at every level of the system—including how organizations care for their staff.
Post-Traumatic Growth is person-centered because it:
✔ Honors individual experience without comparison
✔ Centers autonomy, consent, and readiness
✔ Values meaning-making over productivity
✔ Recognizes staff as whole people, not just roles
Creating PTG-supportive environments sends a powerful message:
our people matter, and so does what this work asks of them.
Our PTG offerings are:
These offerings complement—rather than replace—clinical supports, EAPs, or therapeutic services.
have an action button for them to schedule time to meet with us to learn more about bring the approach to their team
The people doing the hardest work should not have to carry its impact alone.
If your organization is ready to move beyond burnout prevention and toward sustainable, person-centered support, we invite you to explore how Post-Traumatic Growth can support your team.
Let’s care for the carers—together.
Studies estimate that 10–15% of first responders experience PTSD, with many more reporting repeated exposure to traumatic events.
Human services professionals frequently experience secondary traumatic stress, particularly those working in child welfare, housing instability, domestic violence, and crisis response.
Burnout and compassion fatigue are among the leading contributors to turnover in human services and emergency response fields.