Lawyer Therapy

Wellbeing in the legal profession

This is not always an easy profession to work in, and if you are feeling that you need support, you are not the only one feeling that way. Whilst lawyers can have incredibly satisfying, rewarding and interesting careers, it often comes at a cost.

The legal profession is increasingly becoming collectively aware of what the International Bar Association has called a global well-being crisis amongst lawyers. For example around one third of barristers have reported low levels of well being and a similar number reported they weren’t coping well with their workloads. In the solicitors’ profession, 48% respondents to the survey by the Junior Lawyers’ Division of the Law Society had experienced a recent problem with their mental health. As well as high workloads and difficult working cultures, some lawyers are also regularly exposed to clients’ accounts of traumatic events. All of this leads to higher risks of burnout, stress, vicarious trauma, problematic substance use and difficulties with relationships.

Consulting, training and group facilitation

In addition to providing therapy sessions for lawyers I am also available to consult, to write, to speak at events or to deliver training. I have done this previously for a range of organisations including regulators, professional institutions and networks, and statutory bodies in the UK and elsewhere. This can be on a one-off or regular basis. 

Whilst any work of this type is developed according to your requirements topics might include:

• Wellbeing for lawyers

• Tramua Informed legal practice

• Managing conflict in the workplace

• Vicarious trauma

• Understanding the lawyer-client relationship

Academic practice and research

I have published research on the experiences of LGBTQ+ barristers and on the regulation and ethics of barristers generally. My current research looks at the ways in which solicitors benefit from clinical supervision, and also at the psychodynamics of the lawyer-client relationship. I deliver an innovative module on the Psychology of Legal Practice at the Unviersity of Westminster. I also welcome contact from prospective PhD students in this field.