Counseling for Attorneys
With a Licensed Therapist Who Understands the Legal Profession
I’m Michael Hilgers, M.MFT, LPC, and I offer counseling for attorneys online. I’ve been in clinical practice since 1996, and I’m licensed to provide telehealth therapy.
Lawyers deal with higher rates of depression, anxiety, stress, burnout and problem drinking than most people. The good news is that all of these are treatable.
The most recent numbers come from a 2026 study by the American Bar Association and Krill Strategies, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. It surveyed about 37,000 practicing lawyers in 28 jurisdictions. Nearly half screened positive for high burnout, 42% screened positive for risky drinking, and about 1 in 5 screened positive for depression or anxiety. 41% said their time in law has hurt their mental health, and more than a quarter have thought about leaving the profession because of it.
That lines up with the landmark 2016 study of nearly 13,000 attorneys by the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and the ABA, which found that 21% qualified as problem drinkers, 28% struggled with depression, 23% with stress and 19% with anxiety. Both studies found that younger lawyers, especially those early in their careers, have it hardest.
Of lawyers screened positive for risky drinking (ABA, 2026)
Screened positive for high burnout (ABA, 2026)
Say their time in law has hurt their mental health (ABA, 2026)
Why Are Attorneys More Susceptible to Mental Health Concerns?
People rely on lawyers to anticipate and/or solve their greatest problems, typically in a highly competitive, adversarial arena where results are the only thing that matter. The typical attorney works long hours, often at the expense of friends, family and outside interests. In addition:
- Attorneys tend to be ambitious and over-achieving
- They often exhibit perfectionistic tendencies
- Perfectionism often leads to inflexibility
- The actual practice of law can be less than glamorous
- The work can be adversarial in nature
- Attorneys often feel trapped by debt
The legal profession is one of the few fields where pessimists (people who see problems as the norm and not the exception) actually do better than optimists. Research by psychologist Martin Seligman and his colleagues found that pessimistic law students outperformed their more optimistic classmates. The catch is that pessimists also tend to be more prone to depression and have more health problems. The habit that helps you spot every risk in a contract doesn’t switch off when you get home.
Solo and small firm attorneys may be more vulnerable to feeling isolated and overwhelmed and often specialize in high stress areas like family law or criminal defense. In the 2026 ABA study, solo and private firm lawyers reported more distress than lawyers working in-house, on the bench or in academia. Research also shows that high demand jobs paired with a lack of a sense of control make depression and other psychological disorders more likely.
Do you find yourself dreading doing work you used to love? Are you missing deadlines, not returning phone calls or avoiding clients and colleagues who might want something from you? Do you feel more irritable than usual or find yourself taking generalized frustration out on those around you? Are you exhausted in most areas of your life? If so, you might be experiencing burnout.
Which Attorneys Are Most at Risk?
Any lawyer can burn out, but the 2026 ABA study found some groups are struggling more than others.
- Newer lawyers. Younger attorneys had the highest rates of distress. The early years are often when the hours are longest and the sense of control is lowest.
- Solo and small firm owners. You’re running a business and practicing law at the same time, usually without anyone to hand things off to. If that sounds familiar, my page on therapy for entrepreneurs and business owners may be helpful too.
- Litigators. Litigation was tied to higher burnout, especially for lawyers working more than 70 hours a week.
- Women in law. Women reported higher anxiety and stress, and earlier research found women lawyers were more likely than men to consider leaving the profession because of mental health, burnout or stress.
- Men in law. Men were more likely to screen positive for depression. Men are also less likely to reach out for help, which means a lot of this goes untreated.
What Is Attorney Burnout?
Attorney burnout is a serious condition that can lead to strained relationships, lost revenue, underperformance, poor health and career stagnation.
Burnout is exhaustion related to an imbalance between demands and resources. It results in disconnection from work, family and friends and can have a significant impact on both mental and physical health.
What Does Attorney
Burnout Look Like?
- Exhaustion:
Being chronically exhausted whether sleep deprived or not is a common sign of burnout. This type of fatigue tends to feel disproportionate to the circumstances and is not resolved by a few days off.
- Inattentiveness:
Attorneys experiencing burnout often describe having difficulty maintaining focus as well as an increase in making minor mistakes or missing deadlines.
- Cynicism:
Burnout takes the joy out of work and, in extreme cases, life. Successes and accomplishments tend to be downplayed. Work, clients and colleagues matter less and less over time. It may be difficult to remember the why of choosing to enter the legal field.
- Disconnection:
Individuals experiencing burnout often report withdrawing from others. Phone calls and emails may go unaddressed. Meetings may be canceled or skipped. Social events may be turned down with excuses of being too tired or busy.
- Irritability:
Attorneys experiencing burnout often describe experiencing increased conflicts with colleagues, clients and even relationships outside the work place. There is little tolerance for mistakes made by others and patience is generally lacking.
Why Do Attorneys
Burn Out?
- Lack of control:
Litigators also have little control over their schedules. Vacations and weekends are at the mercy of opposing counsel and the courts, who have no incentive (and potentially a disincentive) to respect much-needed downtime. The combination of lack control over time, confrontation, hours, and high stakes can run people ragged
- Personality characteristics:
Lawyers tend to score low on resilience. In personality research on lawyers by Dr. Larry Richard, as many as 90% scored in the bottom half on resilience. People who are low in resilience have a harder time bouncing back from life’s inevitable setbacks and are at high risk for burnout.
- Financial stress:
Billable hours typically equal long hours which presents an acute risk for burnout over time. Taking time off means taking a revenue hit but not taking time off leaves one depleted and negatively impacts relationships.
- Perfectionism:
While perfectionism can be an asset professionally, it can also take a toll on an individual as the work can be perceived as never good enough. Perfectionists tend to be workaholics who are often viewed as inflexible, uncomfortable with change, and obsessed with control but unconvinced that they have it. Perfectionism can lead to inefficiency and overwhelm which also contribute to burnout.
- Isolation:
Those in solo practices not only lose the camaraderie that lawyers in group practices have but often have to wear all the hats including receptionist, biller and janitor. This can create an imbalance between demands and resources that can fast track burnout.
- Need to keep up appearances:
The legal profession is an unforgiving one where vulnerability is often seen as weakness. Attorneys are expected to tough it out and appear unflappable and invulnerable to clients and colleagues. The job often requires serving as a stabilizing force in highly stressful situations. The need to internalize thoughts and feelings is a necessary skill that exacerbates the likelihood of burnout.
How Can Attorneys Help Themselves?
- Practice good boundaries:
Finding opportunities to say no is paramount to avoiding burnout. The more one feels as though they have no control over their life, the greater the risk. There may be real consequences to saying no at times but doing so will increase the likelihood of a sustainable career in the long term.
- Exercise regularly:
Everyone knows this but most struggle with it. Remember: something is better than nothing; make it as convenient as possible; add in some external accountability like a workout partner, trainer or class.
- Work on emotional intelligence:
Emotional intelligence (eq) is the intersection between cognition and emotion. High eq individuals tend to be more adept at overcoming life’s challenges and at reducing stress and anxiety.
- Limit alcohol:
You don’t have to be a problem drinker to benefit from reducing alcohol consumption. You will sleep better more consistently, have more energy and feel more clear headed. If you can’t do it on your own, there are resources in almost every community to help.
- Talk about it:
Burnout thrives in the shadows so the more you can shine the light on it by talking to others the better.
- Practice good sleep hygiene:
No one is at their best when sleep deprived and there should be no pride in being run down. Set a schedule and stick to it as much as possible. If you encounter disturbances with your sleep, address them as soon as possible.
- Lighten your load:
Look at the things you’re not good at, the things that suck your energy and the things you simply don’t have time to do, and find ways to take them off your plate. Identify things that you can ask for help with or things that you can throw money at to make go away. Simplifying the demands on your life will make things easier.
- Find your niche:
The more you can focus on the work you enjoy the better you will be able to avoid burnout. Delegate, hire out or make unnecessary as much of the work you hate as you possibly can.
- Pursue other interests:
Not only will all work and no play make you dull, it increases the risk of burnout. Having outside interests, learning new things and investing yourself in something that no one else benefits from will help make you a better attorney.
Is Your Drinking Becoming a Problem?
Drinking is baked into legal culture. There’s the client dinner, the bar association event and the drink at the end of a brutal day in trial. That’s part of why it’s so easy to miss when drinking stops being social and starts being the way you cope. In the 2026 ABA study, 42% of lawyers screened positive for risky drinking.
A few questions worth asking yourself:
- Do you drink more, or more often, than you meant to?
- Do you need a drink to wind down after work?
- Has anyone close to you said something about your drinking?
- Have you tried to cut back and found it harder than you expected?
- Are you sleeping worse or feeling foggy the next morning more often than not?
If you answered yes to any of these, it’s worth a closer look. That doesn’t automatically mean you’re an alcoholic. It may mean alcohol is doing a job for you that something else could do better. Counseling can help you figure out what that job is. And if you need more support than weekly therapy can offer, I’ll help you find it.
Thinking About Leaving the Law?
You’re not alone. More than a quarter of lawyers in the 2026 ABA study said they’ve considered leaving the profession because of their mental health, burnout or stress.
Sometimes leaving is the right call. Other times the problem is the firm, the practice area, the billable hour or the way you’ve been working rather than the law itself. That’s hard to sort out when you’re exhausted. A lot of attorneys chose law school for reasons that made sense at 22 and haven’t had a chance to revisit them since.
Counseling gives you a place to think it through before you make a big decision. We can look at what you want your work to give you, what it’s costing you and what a career that fits who you are now might look like, whether that’s in the law or outside of it.
How Can Counseling for Attorneys Help?
- Relief:
Scientific studies consistently show that behavioral and emotional interventions work as well, if not better, than just medication to treat anxiety and depression. Therapy is often the fastest, most effective route to overcome emotional and behavioral issues that keep you from living the life you want. Sometimes, you can get better on your own, but in most cases, you’ll get better results, faster, with a counselor.
- Perspective:
Talking with a professional allows you to get a sense of how you appear to other people; helps you get feedback on whatever you’re feeling; and offers insight into how those emotions are affecting your everyday life.
Counseling can help attorneys see the problem without feeling overwhelmed with anxiety or sadness even though the problem is still there. Working on perspective can also help you develop a greater ability to understand others; build stronger relationships with friends and partners; and get along with colleagues better at work. It can help you become more able to stay calm when others challenge you with their viewpoint.
- Vulnerability:
Although there have been great strides in destigmatizing counseling here in the U.S. it’s not uncommon for folks to put off talking to a counselor for fear of being seen as weak, ineffective or even “crazy.” Seeking help and talking about struggles is difficult, especially for folks who are used to being seen as expert problem solvers and presenting themselves as having it all together. Practicing vulnerability through counseling builds resiliency and fosters connection within ourselves and with others.
- Time:
It’s not uncommon for my clients to say that talking to me for an hour is sometimes the only thing they do for themselves all week. Having time to check out from the demands of everyone else is vital for preventing burnout and can help keep feelings of resentment in check. Counseling for attorneys can provide the time to stop, breathe and talk about things that matter but that are often overlooked.
- Focus:
Working with a counselor can help attorneys keep an eye on big picture stuff, it can serve as a time to slow down and consider important things rather than being reactive. One of the major benefits of seeking counseling is that it brings support and creates accountability when it comes to going after goals.
- Balance:
The traits that make you great at your job may be deficits in other areas of life. The adversarial, problem-focused nature of practicing law creates a unique stress that increases susceptibility for anxiety and depression. No matter how good you think you are at compartmentalizing, you’re not as good as you think. Stress, anxiety and depression find ways to manifest in life outside of work that you may not even be aware of. Counseling can help attorneys find and maintain balance between work and home.
You don’t have to be severely mentally ill to get help. Talking to a counselor can get you through difficult situations in life but it can also help you improve on what’s already good. Sometimes, people seek out a therapist because they are in crisis, and other times, they meet with a therapist because they simply want to be more productive, and be their best self.
How I Work With Attorneys
Attorneys tend to be very good at their jobs, and that’s often part of the problem. The same drive, perfectionism and ability to push through that got you here can make it hard to slow down, ask for help or let anyone see that you’re struggling.
I don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. A lot of my work focuses on attachment and relationships: how you connect with the people in your life, what you learned early on about asking for what you need and how those patterns show up at the office and at home. If you want to read more about that, take a look at my pages on anxious attachment and avoidant attachment. We’ll also work on the practical stuff like boundaries, perfectionism, sleep and burnout.
My practice is built for entrepreneurs, attorneys and creative professionals. All sessions are 50 minutes and take place through secure online therapy, so you can meet from home or from your office with the door closed.
Is Counseling for Attorneys Confidential?
Yes. Worry about a firm, a client or the bar finding out keeps a lot of attorneys from getting help. Here’s how I handle it:
- I’m independent. I’m not connected to any law firm, bar association or lawyer assistance program, and I don’t report to any of them.
- I’m private pay only. I don’t bill insurance, so there’s no insurance claim and no diagnosis sent to a health plan, including one provided by your employer.
- Sessions are secure. Appointments take place over HIPAA-compliant video, and your records stay private.
- There are standard limits. Like every licensed counselor, I’m required to break confidentiality in a few specific situations, such as a serious risk that you’ll harm yourself or someone else, suspected abuse of a child or vulnerable adult, or a court order. We’ll go over these in our first session so there are no surprises.
Other Resources for Attorneys
Every state has a lawyer assistance program that offers confidential support to attorneys, usually at no cost. These programs can be a good complement to counseling, especially if you’re dealing with alcohol or substance use.
If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
FAQs
What Is Therapy for Attorneys?
Therapy for attorneys is traditional therapy combined with a deep understanding and respect for the culture, unique challenges and even language that surrounds the legal profession.
When Is Counseling for Attorneys Needed?
My biased belief is that all attorneys can benefit from counseling. The legal profession promotes perfectionism and tends to be problem focused which can lead to burn out. If you want to optimize your potential for success, taking care of yourself is key. Working with a counselor can help with that.
How Much Does Therapy for Attorneys Cost?
Therapy is typically billed at a set rate for each appointment. My current 2026 rate for a 50-minute appointment is $175. I’m private pay only and don’t bill insurance. You can find more details on my FAQ & rates page.
How Long Does the Counseling Process Take?
How long counseling lasts largely depends on time, money and need. Some folks have very clear goals that can be met over the course of half a dozen appointments while others find value in the process and may continue with counseling for years. I don’t operate from a one-size-fits-all approach but do check-in regularly to ensure that clients are getting what they want out of the process.
Will My Firm or the Bar Find Out I’m in Counseling?
No. I’m not connected to any law firm, bar association or lawyer assistance program, and I don’t share information about clients without written permission, other than in the limited situations every licensed counselor is required to follow. Because I don’t bill insurance, there’s also no claim going through an employer health plan.
Do You Take Insurance?
No. I’m private pay only. That keeps your counseling off insurance records, and it means the two of us decide what your treatment looks like.
Can You Work With Attorneys in Any State?
I can only see clients who are physically located in a state where I’m licensed or authorized to practice at the time of our session. Contact me to confirm whether I can work with you in your state.
What If I’m Not Sure Counseling Is Right for Me?
That’s okay. You don’t have to be in crisis or have everything figured out to reach out. Send me a message through my contact page, and we can talk about what’s going on and whether working together makes sense.
Sources
- Krill, P. R., & Anker, J. J. (2026). National study of mental health, burnout and alcohol use among U.S. lawyers, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. ABA summary
- Krill, P. R., Johnson, R., & Albert, L. (2016). The prevalence of substance use and other mental health concerns among American attorneys. Journal of Addiction Medicine, 10(1), 46–52. Read the study
- Anker, J., & Krill, P. R. (2021). Stress, drink, leave: An examination of gender-specific risk factors for mental health problems and attrition among licensed attorneys. PLOS ONE, 16(5). Read the study
- Seligman, M. E. P., Verkuil, P. R., & Kang, T. H. (2005). Why lawyers are unhappy. Deakin Law Review, 10(1). Read the article
- Richard, L. Building lawyer resilience. LawyerBrain. Read more
Written by Michael Hilgers, M.MFT, LPC. Last updated September 2026.