Why Talk Therapy Stops Working for Burned-Out Lawyers

The Former Lawyer Podcast

The Former Lawyer Podcast
Why Talk Therapy Stops Working for Burned-Out Lawyers
Sep 15, 2025 Episode 282
Sarah Cottrell

You’ve been in therapy. You’ve talked through your career. You understand, logically, that your boss’s mood isn’t your responsibility, that your worth isn’t measured by productivity, and that burnout doesn’t mean you’re broken. And yet… you’re still panicking every time Outlook pings. You’re still second-guessing every boundary. You’re still bracing for impact.

For many lawyers, this is the point where talk therapy hits a wall. You’ve intellectually processed the stress, but your body hasn’t caught up. That disconnect between what you know and how you feel isn’t a failure. It’s a signal.

See show notes at formerlawyer.com/282