Meeting Mentees Where They Are: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Mentoring Legal Professionals Uprooted by Crisis

Fatima sits across from you on Zoom, her hands folded tightly in her lap. She was once a respected judge, navigating complex legal cases with confidence and poise. Now, thousands of miles from home, she is preparing for her first interview for a U.S.-based legal fellowship. You’ve reviewed her résumé—her qualifications are undeniable—but as you practice mock interview questions, her answers become short and hesitant. Her eyes, once sharp and focused, drift to the floor. “I’m sorry,” she whispers. “I’m not sure I can do this.”

In that moment, the traditional mentorship playbook might tell you to encourage her, to remind her of her qualifications, or to run through the questions again. But a trauma-informed approach calls for something different. You pause, set aside your notes, and gently ask, “Would it help to take a break or talk about what’s on your mind?” You offer a choice—one of the most powerful tools in a trauma-informed mentor’s toolkit.

Trauma is not just about what happened; it’s about how it is carried. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines trauma as the lasting adverse effects of physically or emotionally harmful events. For someone like Fatima, who may have endured profound losses—her home, her career, her sense of safety—seemingly ordinary situations can trigger deep and complex responses. Trauma can affect memory, communication, and decisionmaking. In a mock interview, this might look like trouble recalling achievements, difficulty articulating thoughts, or a sudden sense of paralysis. 

A trauma-informed approach to mentorship begins with understanding. It means recognizing that Fatima’s hesitation isn’t a lack of readiness but a sign that something deeper is at play. It requires shifting from a problem-solving mindset to a posture of curiosity and empathy. “You’ve shared so much already,” you might say. “Would you like to move on to a different question or talk through what’s feeling difficult right now?” This simple offer of control can help create a sense of safety and agency

Creating predictability is another powerful strategy. Before the mock interview, you could send Fatima an outline of what to expect: “We’ll start with introductions, move through a few practice questions, and then spend some time discussing any concerns you have.” This forewarning can reduce anxiety and make the process feel less daunting. The Center for Victims of Torture emphasizes that predictability and transparency are critical components of trauma-informed care, helping individuals regain a sense of stability in new and unfamiliar environments.

Offering choices, even small ones, can also make a significant difference. Rather than saying, “Let’s run through the questions again,” you might ask, “Would you prefer to focus on interview questions or take a step back and talk through how to highlight your experience as a judge?” Providing options restores a sense of control, which trauma often strips away.

Active listening and validation are equally important. If Fatima shares feelings of inadequacy, resist the urge to immediately reassure or problem-solve. Instead, try reflective listening: “It sounds like you’re feeling unsure about how your experience will translate here. That’s completely understandable.” Such responses honor her feelings and build trust, demonstrating that this mentorship space is safe for vulnerability.

These trauma-informed strategies benefit mentors, too. Working with individuals who carry trauma can lead to secondary traumatic stress, a form of burnout that can affect your well-being. The Trauma Stewardship Institute advises setting healthy boundaries, engaging in self-care, and seeking peer support to manage the emotional weight of mentorship. This might mean debriefing with a colleague after a challenging conversation, taking a few moments to ground yourself before your next meeting, or even setting aside time for restorative activities outside of work.

Ultimately, trauma-informed mentorship is not about fixing or rescuing—it’s about being present. It’s about recognizing that, for mentees like Fatima, the path to rebuilding a legal career in a new country is not just about résumés and interview techniques but also about healing and reclaiming agency. By adopting this approach, you are not only enhancing professional development but also contributing to a culture of empathy, resilience, and genuine support.

The power of trauma-informed mentorship lies in these small, intentional acts of understanding. When you honor Fatima’s story, when you meet her where she is, you are doing more than guiding her toward her next career step—you are bearing witness to her strength and offering a space where she can begin to feel that, once again, she belongs.