1.

Do I just need to quit my job? Wouldn’t that fix everything?

Whether you quit your job (or change careers) is up to you to decide. Sadly, quitting isn’t a magic fix- it won’t undo the damage your nervous system has already experienced. You might also experience new problems, like having to start over in a new career direction, feeling unmotivated by an area of practice that isn’t as meaningful, or losing status (if you’ve been at it for a long time). Regardless, the goal is not to push you toward a particular choice, but to help you see your options clearly and make intentional choices. For some, that means staying in their role with new supports and boundaries; for others, it may eventually mean shifting positions, agencies, or even areas of specialty. Therapy focuses on helping you discern what is right for you, at this point and into the future.

2.

I barely have time to breathe... How can I find time for therapy? 

Therapy does require some degree of time commitment. However, the amount of time needed may be less than you think. Virtual sessions are available throughout Mississippi and Massachusetts, and in-person sessions (in the place of your choosing, if it’s sufficiently private) are also available throughout the Pine Belt region. Session frequency and timing are tailored to your reality: some attorneys start with weekly appointments, while others begin with biweekly or a focused, time-limited series of sessions around a particular crisis or transition. 

3.

Do I even need therapy if my problem is “just” burnout?

Burnout, moral injury, vicarious trauma, and workplace stress are not “just” anything—they are the predictable result of caring deeply in systems that ask too much. While there has been lots of discussion in popular and social media about “cures” and “hacks” for burnout, they often don’t work, and some only work when coupled with meaningful, long-term life changes. Specialized therapy, specifically oriented toward these concerns, is often a good option to make sure you don’t waste your time on “cures” that don’t work, or allow burnout to fester. Using an action-oriented, present-focused, trauma-sensitive approach that respects the seriousness of what you carry helps you build a life that doesn’t require constant self-sacrifice to maintain.

4.

Is therapy really confidential enough for an attorney? 

Yes! Therapy is confidential and privilege attaches. What you discuss in therapy is not shared with your employer, family, colleagues, boards, or bar associations. Some attorneys may choose not to use health insurance benefits for therapy, to fully protect their therapy records (or the fact that therapy was provided) from any disclosure. Your responsibilities for client confidentiality and privilege are also honored here. Therapy explicitly makes room for discussion of cases and system stress while honoring your ethical duties and confidentiality needs. Sessions are structured so you can talk about the emotional and practical impact of work without endangering your clients or your license. If you are concerned about how to talk about specific, sensitive information, this can be discussed and planned for explicitly at the start of therapy, and at any point in the therapy process. 

5.

How do you handle discussions about active cases or client details?

Therapy is structured to let you process the emotional and professional impact of your work without compromising confidentiality or ethics. You can describe patterns, dilemmas, and feelings from cases generically or hypothetically (much like you would in peer consultation) while staying within professional bounds. However, there are certain differences that might make it easier to share. In therapy, you don’t have to be professional, avoid making disparaging statements, nor uphold a level of decorum. In this sense, you can speak more freely in therapy than you would when speaking to another attorney. If needed, we can explicitly map out how to discuss what you’d like to share, at the start of a session.

6.

Can therapy help with substance use or alcohol as a coping tool?

Yes, especially since rates of problematic alcohol use are higher among lawyers due to stress and culture. Therapy addresses root causes like depression, moral injury, and overwhelm without judgment, using harm reduction, skill-building, and confidential referrals for necessary specialized treatment. The relationship impact of substance use can also be addressed effectively in couples’ therapy.

7.

My partner says I need therapy or has threatened to leave if I don’t get therapy. Would couples therapy help?

Maybe. Couples therapy can only work when both partners are willing to participate, and when the relationship is the primary area of concern for both partners. However, in some situations, people’s individual concerns (e.g., addiction, mental health problems, abusive behavior) cause a rift in the relationship. Individual therapy works better in these situations. It’s important you know that ethical standards prohibit a couples’ therapist from engaging in individual therapy work with either partner. On the other hand, individual therapists are often encouraged to invite partners and family members into sessions (with client permission), to address the relationship impact of their clients’ individual concerns.

8.

Does therapy involve analyzing my childhood, or my family history?

While some self-knowledge or insight about your longstanding patterns can be helpful, it doesn’t lead directly to actionable changes. This is why the approach used here is present-focused and action-oriented. We’ll tackle current stressors with concrete plans. However, a solid assessment is critical for good quality care. This assessment, completed early in the therapeutic relationship, involves some history taking and questions about childhood and family.

9.

How long does therapy take? Can I be successful in therapy, if I can only make a short-term commitment?

It’s hard to say, because the length of time required to get good results in therapy varies between individuals, and based on each person’s needs and resources, as well as on the frequency of sessions. Though some folks might only need six weeks of intensive work to meet their goals, others may continue their work in therapy for a year or more. We can usually estimate the length of time you’d need to invest at the end of the first or second session.

10.

How much does therapy cost? Can I use insurance?

The full list of self-pay fees for all services is offered here. Affordable, reduced fees are also available to individuals in public service occupations. If you are planning to use insurance or an Employee Assistance Program to pay for therapy, the list of accepted carriers is also provided on the same page. Co-payment and co-insurance amounts vary.