The Silent Wounds: The Psychological Impact of Discrimination and Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
By Deirdre Arato, LPC
n my therapy practice, I’ve sat across from countless professionals—women and men alike—whose voices tremble as they recount experiences of being belittled, objectified, or dismissed at work. These are not isolated incidents. Discrimination and sexual harassment continue to quietly corrode people’s sense of safety, self-worth, and belonging in professional spaces that are supposed to foster growth and contribution.
The Hidden Toll on Mental Health
The psychological impact of workplace harassment and discrimination often runs deeper than most realize. People come to me describing chronic anxiety, hypervigilance, sleep disruption, and intrusive thoughts. Many struggle with shame and self-blame, asking, “Did I misinterpret that?” or “Maybe I’m overreacting.”
These questions reveal the deeper trauma response—especially the freeze or fawn states—that can emerge when someone feels powerless or unsafe. The brain instinctively seeks protection, not confrontation. Victims often minimize or rationalize harmful behavior because it feels safer than risking retaliation, disbelief, or job loss.
Why People Stay Silent
One of the most heartbreaking patterns I see is silence born not of consent, but of fear. Many people remain quiet because:
They fear being labeled “difficult” or “overly sensitive.”
They’ve witnessed others report and face retaliation or subtle exclusion.
The institution’s culture rewards silence and punishes vulnerability.
The trauma response plays a key role here. Freeze makes the person feel paralyzed in the moment; fawn drives them to appease or maintain harmony—even at their own expense. These survival mechanisms, once protective, can later become sources of deep shame and confusion.
The Role of Institutional Betrayal
When organizations fail to protect employees—or worse, protect perpetrators—it creates a wound of institutional betrayal. This betrayal compounds the trauma because it shatters trust in the system itself. Victims not only question their experience, but their reality. It’s a psychological double bind: harmed by one person, then invalidated by the structure meant to protect them.
The effects can mirror post-traumatic stress: emotional numbness, self-doubt, isolation, and a persistent sense of danger that follows them long after they leave that workplace.
Healing and Reclaiming Power
Healing begins with being believed. With being seen. In therapy, I help clients process the layers of betrayal, self-blame, and loss of identity that often follow workplace trauma. Restoring a sense of agency is essential—helping clients remember that their worth was never defined by how others treated them.
I also encourage workplaces to foster cultures of psychological safety—where empathy and accountability replace silence and fear.
The journey of recovery isn’t linear. But with compassion, awareness, and truth-telling, people can begin to rebuild the trust that harassment and discrimination erode.
About the Author
Deirdre Arato, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Neuropsychotherapist specializing in trauma, anxiety, and emotional healing. Through her work, she helps individuals reconnect with their inner safety, restore balance to their nervous systems, and reclaim their voice after experiences of harm or betrayal.