Speaker
Teo Ernst, Psy.D.
Clinical and Forensic Psychologist
Assistant Clinical Professor, UCSF Department of Psychiatry
Private Practice, San Francisco
Depression has been found to occur in attorneys at rates of over three times the general work force.
Moreover, research provides evidence of high levels of work addiction, perceived stress, job dissatisfaction, substance abuse, and secondary trauma symptoms among attorneys. The prevalence of unhappiness among attorneys not only results in disillusionment and career changes, but can also lead to inadequate client representation due to associated difficulties including reduced concentration, fatigue, disturbed sleep and poor motivation.
The first course of this two-part series aims to increase understanding of the psychological causes of job dissatisfaction in attorneys, and provide individual and institutional strategies to counteract the emotional toll of legal practice.