Attorney Stress, Burnout is Contagious

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Psychotherapist Cynthia Lackner focuses her practice on treating attorneys for secondary post-traumatic stress disorder (also known as vicarious trauma).  Attorneys with this condition may be regularly exposed to upsetting and unsettling information and situations which can repeatedly induce stress responses and anxiety.  An unchecked accumulation of stress can lead to emotional and psychological suffering.

“In court is a very adversarial environment,” says Lackner.  “Some of my clients feel ill, have migraines, ulcers, atrial fibrillation, ringing in their ears, or suffer from addictions.  The climate is so unhealthy.”

Cynthia-Lackner
Cynthia Lackner, MA

Stress levels among attorneys is well documented.  Lackner finds that criminal attorneys, public defenders, personal injury, immigration and family lawyers can especially benefit from seeking professional help.  Before she focused her practice on attorneys, Lackner worked with clients with domestic violence issues.  She eventually realized untreated stress and trauma was a root cause of problems at home and work.

“Attorneys are analytical and they want to think their way out of a problem,” says Lackner.  “The only way they are going to feel better is to figure out ‘How do I feel?’ and ‘What do I need?’ They can’t help their clients when they are upset all the time.”

Lackner is certified in the Emotional Brain Training (EBT) technique.  This particular model was developed by Laurel Mellin, Ph.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Family and Community Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of California-San Francisco, and author of the New York Times best-selling book Wired for Joy.  Mellin began developing EBT in the late 1970s in response to research findings of individuals who were discovered to have developed emotional eating habits in relation to attachment issues with parents.

“What’s great about this is that we can rewire the limbic brain,” says Lackner. “We didn’t even know that we could do this just a few years ago. It is usually the same issues that get us upset over and over again.  I like this model because it works.  I work myself out of a job.”

She sees clients three to six times, instead of seventeen times or indefinitely.

Lackner teaches her clients skills for processing stressful feelings and situations. She teaches them to first realize their current brain state.  The she teaches them how to cycle through a natural flow of feelings.  Her clients can then identify the common denominator among their feelings.  The common thread is usually opposite of what they thought.

attorney-stress-contagious“We can be in all five brain states throughout the day,” says Lackner. “We just don’t want to stay in an unhealthy brain state. That is when cortisol can get released and stays in our bodies and causes disease. After this process, I teach how to come up with a positive powerful thought. It is easier at this point, to stay in a healthier brain state.”

In addition to being exposed to stressed clients, and being in stressful situations, Lackner acknowledges that some attorneys are constantly trying to anticipate problems and think about the worst possible outcomes.

“In life, it is unmet expectations that upset us,” says Lackner.  “Our emotions are the seeds of stress. Certain people and situations trigger us throughout the day.”

In an attempt to combat attorney stress and burnout, the Colorado District Attorney’s Office has indicated it will film Lackner discussing these topics and provide the recording to prosecutors around the state.

“When you stay healthier you don’t end up burned out,” says Lackner, imploring attorneys to take care of themselves first.  “It is like putting oxygen on yourself first on an airplane.  You have to help yourself first in order to help others.  Attorneys are typically last on the list.”

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Ms. Cynthia Lackner, MA specializes in Emotional Brain Training that pairs neuroscience with skills and tools to help rewire the stress response toward self-regulation and ultimately achieve well-being.  She has a private practice in Denver, Colorado.  She can be contacted by phone at (303) 968-4565 or by email at cynthia@cynthialackner.com.