Attorneys transitioning into therapists claim that lawyers uniquely comprehend the pressures of working in law. Having been practitioners themselves, they possess an insight into the specific strain that legal professionals might encounter. As detailed by ex-lawyers, their clientele often grapples with adapting to therapy that favours emotional responsiveness, mindfulness and body conscientiousness, as opposed to their ingrained affinity for intellectualising and rationality integral to their careers.
Taking the case of Will Meyerhofer, who was an associate at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in the late ’90s for example, he shed light on the misery he encountered in his then-role. While further details on Meyerhofer’s experiences and methods in therapy are through subscription-only access to the article, this is a clear call to the well-being sectors within law firms and organizations to integrate these unique insights into providing better support for their legal practitioners.
Given the nature of the legal profession, it is not surprising that most of its practitioners tend to prioritize rationalizing and intellectualizing issues. However, according to attorneys-turned-therapists, this could pose a challenge as it may be an obstacle to a more holistic approach to their well-being, requiring an adjustment to therapy methods involving mindfulness and emotional awareness.
It’s imperative, then, for the mental health professional to understand a client’s professional background in order to effectively tailor an approach that takes into consideration their unique profession-related stressors, and to promote a balanced approach to their mental health. These unique insights may just be the therapeutic breakthrough legal professionals need to reconcile the demanding nature of their chosen careers with their personal well-being.