stigma Archives - Lawyers With Depression

How EMDR Therapy Can Help Lawyers Overcome Depression

Jennifer Kupferman, LMSW, MA, JD, is a former lawyer turned therapist who specializes in treating lawyers with a variety of mental health conditions, including depression. She earned her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and her undergraduate degree from Yale. In addition to being a therapist, she gives CLE presentations on mental health in the legal profession throughout the U.S. Call or Email Jennifer now for a free 15-minute consultation – (929) 202-4159.

Introduction

The legal profession is known for its prestige, intellectual challenge, and social impact. Yet, behind the polished courtroom arguments and carefully constructed contracts lies a more troubling reality: lawyers experience disproportionately high rates of depression, anxiety, and burnout. A 2016 study by the American Bar Association and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation revealed that 28% of lawyers struggle with depression, a rate much higher than in the general population.

While traditional treatments such as talk therapy and medication have helped many, a growing number of lawyers are turning to an alternative, neuroscience-based therapy known as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Originally developed to treat trauma, EMDR is gaining attention as a powerful tool for those suffering from depression, especially when that depression is rooted in unresolved emotional stress, perfectionism, or adverse life experiences.

In this post, I’ll explore why depression is so prevalent in the legal field and how EMDR can provide real, lasting relief for lawyers who are silently suffering.

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Silent Struggles: Gendered Pressures on Male Lawyers Contribute to Depression

This guest blog is written by Shebna N. Osanmoh, PMHNP-BC, a board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner affiliated with Savant Care, Los Altos, CA, a mental health clinic.

The legal profession is known for long hours, adversarial culture, and high stakes. While all lawyers are vulnerable to mental health issues, an often overlooked group may be suffering in silence—mainly male lawyers.

There’s been increasing awareness of mental health in the legal field, but how depression shows up and is managed in men has been underexamined. This silence is driven by gender expectations, social stigma, and professional pressures, and can lead to serious consequences.

The Silent Burden of Stoicism

From their first year in law school, male lawyers are conditioned to demonstrate competence, assertiveness, and composure. They are trained to suppress their emotions in the courtroom, stay calm under pressure, and base their decisions on logic rather than feelings. These traits are valued professionally, but they can be harmful personally.

The cultural script for male lawyers dictates that they must maintain a strong image at all times. Emotional vulnerability? That’s a weakness. Needing support? It’s a sign you can’t handle the heat. This idealized version of the male lawyer —stoic, confident, and endlessly resilient —leaves little room for authentic emotional experience.

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One Therapist’s Take on Lawyer Addiction & Mental Health

This is a guest blog by Nicole Roder, LCSW-C, a bilingual DBT therapist in Bethesda, MD, certified by the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification. She is intensively trained in DBT, DBT prolonged exposure for PTSD, DBT for parents, couples, and families, and DBT for substance use disorders. In her practice, she treats adults and adolescents with BPD, PTSD, DMDD, SUD, and related disorders.

The legal profession is renowned for its rigorous demands and high-pressure environment. Attorneys often face long working hours, tight deadlines, and the stress of high-stakes cases. Pursuing success in this competitive field requires a delicate balance between ambition and integrity, with many lawyers dedicating years to honing their skills and cultivating key relationships. Lawyers have to hustle and compete for clients and recognition. They must constantly learn and stay updated on changing laws and legal trends. This relentless pace and pressure can take a significant toll on attorneys’ mental and physical health, making it a profession where the risk of substance abuse is notably high.

As a therapist who treats addictions, I have seen many people who use alcohol to cope with high-stress jobs. I have also seen people suffer terrible losses when that coping mechanism becomes an addiction. Fortunately, there are well-researched treatments that can help attorneys overcome addiction. Let’s take a look at the data on addiction among lawyers, the consequences of addiction, and some resources that might help overcome the problem.

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Unpacking Depression: An Interview with Psychologist Dr. Margaret Wehrenberg

Today’s guest is Dr. Margaret Wehrenberg. Dr. Wehrenberg is a clinical psychologist in Naperville, Illinois. She is the author of six books on the treatment of anxiety and depression published by W.W. Norton, including, “The Ten Best-Ever Depression Management Techniques: Understanding How Your Brain Makes You Depressed and What You Can Do to Change It” and “Anxiety + Depression: Effective Treatment of the Big Two Co-Occurring Disorders.” An international trainer of mental health professionals, Dr. Wehrenberg coaches people with anxiety via the internet and phone. She’s a frequent contributor to the award-winning magazine, Psychotherapy Networker and she blogs on depression for the magazine Psychology Today.

Dan:

What is the difference between sadness and depression and why do people confuse the two so often?

Dr. Wehrenberg:

Because depression comprises sadness. Sadness is a response to a specific situation in which we usually have some kind of loss. The loss of a self-esteem, a loss of a loved one, the loss of a desired goal. Depression is really more about the energy – whether it’s mental energy or physical energy – to make an effective response. So, sadness is an appropriate and transient emotion, but depression sticks around and affects all of our daily behaviors and interactions.

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One Wife’s Story of Her Husband’s Struggles with Depression in Law School

“True Stories” is a series of guest blogs I am running on mental health in the legal profession. In this article, we explore the affect depression has on loved ones and their struggles to help.

Katie has been married to her law student husband for almost four years. She has grown into a more compassionate and well-rounded Certified Health Education Specialist and Mental Health First Aid provider from her experiences with her husband’s mental health issues. She enjoys sharing information with others about health and wellness. Her husband is currently searching for a job. As such, Katie has only given her first name.

Last year, my husband became a first-year law student at a state school with an excellent reputation. After several years of waffling between pursuing medicine, law, military, and scientific research careers, he opted for law and was admitted to many schools, accepting his best offer. We relocated so that he could attend, moving from the sunny Southwest to the frigid winters of the Mid-Atlantic. He was excited at first, eager to begin a new chapter of his life, and enthusiastic to embark on a learning journey; he loves to read and study politics, economics, business, and law, and he felt that this endeavor would help him fulfill his potential personally and professionally.

Shortly into the first year, I noticed my usually calm husband – laid-back almost to a fault – was frequently stressed. He worried constantly about understanding the material, completing his assignments, competing for grades, getting an internship, and even being able to get a job upon graduating. Although this may seem natural for law students (1Ls in particular), it was a marked change in his personality that lasted for weeks on end, almost to the point of keeping him from being able to study, write, or prepare for his classes.

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The Dark Side of Success: A Psychiatrist’s Exploration of Depression in the Legal Profession

By Joann Mundin, M.D.

There are significant effects of depression in the legal profession that are pervasive. Lawyer depression can have terrible personal and professional ripple effects for attorneys but also impacts clients, business partners, employees, and staff.

The general population is significantly affected by depression, with 17.3 million persons, or 7.1% of all adults in the US, reporting having experienced a major depressive episode in 2017. But, the proportion of depression among attorneys is considerably higher: according to ALM’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse Survey from 2020, 31.2% of the more than 3,800 respondents report having a depressive disorder. This indicates that compared to the ordinary US adult, lawyers have an approximately three-fold higher risk of developing depression.

Nevertheless, the stigma associated with mental illness keeps lawyers from getting help immediately. This can cause excessive and prolonged distress, making the problem worse over time.

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Managing Depression: Podcast Interview with Dr. Margaret Wehrenberg, Author of “The Ten

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Today’s guest is Dr. Margaret Wehrenberg. Dr. Wehrenberg is a clinical psychologist in Naperville, Illinois. She is the author of six books on the treatment of anxiety and depression published by W.W. Norton, including, “The Ten Best-Ever Depression Management Techniques: Understanding How Your Brain Makes You Depressed and What You Can Do to Change It” and “Anxiety + Depression: Effective Treatment of the Big Two Co-Occurring Disorders.” An international trainer of mental health professionals, Dr. Wehrenberg coaches people with anxiety via the internet and phone. She’s a frequent contributor to the award-winning magazine, Psychotherapy Networker and she blogs on depression for the magazine Psychology Today.

Dan:

What is the difference between sadness and depression and why do people confuse the two so often?

Dr. Wehrenberg:

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How To Prevent Stress, Anxiety And Depression At Work

Great article on the strategies businesses can pursue to promote emotional well- being in the workplace. It also outlines the myriad financial incentives a firm has for proactively combatting physical and mental illness before ailments sap worker productivity and hurt the bottom line. Read more here.

When Someone Mocks Your Mental Illness

Great blog from Jeanne Crouteau covering topics from stigma to coping strategies. Really loved the last piece of advice; to paraphrase: “stay true to you-No matter what anybody says, you know the truth about your journey…(and) Whatever you do, just don’t give up!” Read more here.

‘Listen to Your Body’: 5 Things You Shouldn’t Feel Guilty About if You Have Depression

Insightful blog that reminds us the negative thinking and sense of guilt are not accurate reflections of ourselves but are instead the product of our depression. As such we need to remember to challenge those thoughts and feelings, and to take the positive step of seeking support when we need to. Read more here.