In this Wellness Talk, psychotherapist Wendy Coughlin, Ph.D., LMHC, makes the case that presiding over a courtroom is, by its nature, a source of trauma exposure. Judges, and everyone else in the courtroom, routinely witness violent cases, and must act as the gatekeeper for what a jury can emotionally and psychologically handle. Over time, that repeated, vicarious exposure can produce the symptoms of PTSD and complex PTSD: intrusive thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks, disrupted sleep, and a strain that turns into burnout, eroding both productivity and objectivity on the bench.
Dr. Coughlin walks through how to recognize those symptoms in yourself, and how responding to trauma as a human being is not a weakness, even when your title is “judge.” She shares practical coping strategies: don’t over-identify with the cases, lean on a trusted confidant or another judge to talk through what you’ve just heard, and seek out professional support when the cumulative weight of the work is taking its toll. A sincere willingness to adapt can genuinely improve a judge’s life and help them stay healthy enough to keep serving.
Leave a Reply