11/07/2025
I’m grateful to have been recognized for trauma work within the healthcare/public service industries- particularly during COVID. The write-up is below ⬇️
While I love helping others overcome acute and complex trauma - those on the frontlines of healthcare and community service hold a special place in my heart.
If you or your team need help individually or would like someone to speak on this topic, please reach out.
***********************************************
Christy Hughes has been recognized with a 2025 Global Recognition Award for her work as a certified EMDR therapist supporting frontline professionals through trauma recovery. Hughes operates Christy Hughes Counseling in the Nashville area, where she specializes in helping medical workers, nonprofit employees, and service professionals process occupational trauma. Her practice gained particular recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic when she provided critical mental health support to healthcare workers facing unprecedented stress. The award acknowledges her sustained impact on community mental health and her innovative approach to trauma therapy for those in high-stress service roles.
Global Recognition Awards evaluated Hughes through a rigorous selection process that began with initial screening based on eligibility criteria including industry recognition, innovation, leadership, service, sustainability, and social responsibility. Shortlisted applicants were then evaluated using the Rasch model, which creates a linear measurement scale for each category and allows for precise comparisons between applicants even when they excel in different areas. Hughes received top scores across multiple service categories, including a 5 rating for impact on community, sustainability of service programs, innovative approaches to addressing societal needs, and measurable outcomes of service efforts.
Addressing Trauma in Service Professions
Hughes built her practice around a specific demographic often overlooked in mental health services: professionals whose work involves serving others in crisis situations. Medical personnel, social workers, emergency responders, and nonprofit employees face repeated exposure to traumatic situations that compound over time. Her focus on this population addresses a gap in mental health care where those who provide care to others frequently neglect their own psychological needs. EMDR therapy, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, helps patients process traumatic memories by using bilateral stimulation techniques that reduce the emotional intensity of distressing experiences.
The pandemic revealed the scale of mental health challenges facing healthcare workers. Hughes responded by expanding her capacity to serve medical professionals who were experiencing acute trauma while continuing to work in high-risk environments. Her intervention allowed many of these workers to remain in their positions during a critical period when staffing shortages threatened healthcare delivery. The sustained nature of her pandemic response demonstrated the immediate impact of her work and the longer-term resilience she helped build within the healthcare community.
Building Sustainable Mental Health Support
Hughes structured her practice to provide ongoing support rather than short-term crisis intervention. This approach recognizes that occupational trauma accumulates over time and requires consistent therapeutic relationships to address effectively. Her client base includes individuals working in roles where exposure to suffering, death, and crisis situations forms part of their daily routine. The sustainability of her service model focuses on preventing burnout and secondary traumatic stress before these conditions force professionals out of their fields entirely.
The measurable outcomes of her work extend beyond individual client improvement to broader workforce retention in critical service sectors. Healthcare facilities and nonprofit organizations face significant costs when trained professionals leave their positions due to unaddressed mental health challenges. Hughes's therapeutic interventions help maintain workforce stability in sectors that struggle with high turnover rates. Her practice demonstrates how targeted mental health services can support individual wellbeing and organizational sustainability in fields that depend on human service delivery.
Final Words
Christy Hughes's recognition reflects a growing awareness of the mental health needs within service professions. Her work addresses a systemic challenge where those who provide care often lack access to specialized support for their own trauma responses. The certification and training required to practice EMDR therapy represent a significant professional investment, and her application of this specialized skill set to frontline workers demonstrates strategic thinking and commitment to underserved populations.
Alex Sterling, spokesperson for Global Recognition Awards, noted Christy Hughes's impact: "Her dedication to supporting those who serve others shows exceptional understanding of how trauma affects entire communities, including individuals. Christy Hughes has built a sustainable practice that addresses real gaps in mental health care for professionals who face repeated exposure to crisis situations." The award recognizes her contribution to maintaining a healthy workforce in sectors that form the foundation of community wellbeing and social services.
