Lawyers today frequently describe feeling exhausted, disengaged, and questioning their sense of purpose. While often labeled as burnout, clinicians are increasingly recognizing a deeper experience: demoralization—a loss of meaning, agency, and orientation in the face of shifting professional and societal conditions.
This program will explore demoralization not only within the legal profession, but also within the broader social context in which lawyers are living and working. Clinicians from LCL will distinguish demoralization from burnout, PTSD, and moral injury, and share emerging patterns seen in consultations with attorneys, including learned helplessness, emotional dysregulation, substance use, and disengagement from work.
Rather than offering prescriptive solutions, this presentation invites a collective exploration of how we adapt, endure, and maintain connection in challenging times. Presenters will share clinical perspectives and practical approaches that may support emotional regulation, professional agency, and community, while acknowledging the complexity of the current moment.
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Meet Our Panel
Barbara Bowe, LICSW
Barbara J. Bowe, LICSW joined LCL in 1996. Barbara handles client assessments, referrals, and case management. She also acts as a liaison with the Deans of Massachusetts’ nine law schools. Barbara has coordinated and been involved in training programs for a range of segments of the Bar: Judges, MBA, BBA Peer Support Program, Bar Advocate Programs, LCL Monitor Program, and Professional Responsibility Classes.
She is a 1985 graduate of Boston University School of Social Work. Barbara has managed both inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment programs in Greater Boston, most recently at Westwood Lodge Hospital just prior to coming to LCL. She has worked in both in-house and offsite employee assistance programs, and has maintained a private practice for many years in Brookline, MA.
Barbara runs our Professional Conduct Group, Law School Deans Roundtable, as well as office hours and groups at Massachusetts law schools.
Barbara can be reached at (617) 482-9600 or barbarab@lclma.org.
Shawn Healy, Ph.D.
Shawn Healy, Ph.D. is the Director of Administrative Operations at LCLMA as well as a clinical psychologist on the clinical team. In his clinical role he provides individual clinical consultations and groups to law students, lawyers, judges, and legal professionals. He regularly presents and publishes on all manner of mental health topics germane to the legal community. Shawn is also a certified trainer in Mental Health First Aid and serves as a co-chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Lawyer Well-Being Committee.
Shawn joined LCLMA in March of 2014 following his work in a private group practice in Cambridge. Prior to private practice, Shawn worked at the May Institute, Inc. for 10 years where he initially completed his pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship. He later became the Clinical Director and finally the Director of Clinical Services and Operations for the Behavioral Health Division of the May Institute where he managed two outpatient clinics and four-day treatment programs. Shawn graduated from Suffolk University in Boston, MA in 2006 with his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. His dissertation and research interests are in the field of conflict resolution, and he has been involved in facilitating many conflict resolution workshops, discussion groups, and mediation and private conflict coaching sessions.
Shawn is a member of the American Psychological Association and of the Massachusetts Psychological Association and is licensed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a psychologist. Shawn coauthored the book The Full Weight of the Law: How Legal Professionals Can Recognize and Rebound from Depression (ABA publication, 2017 – available in our lending library) with another LCL Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Jeff Fortgang.
Shawn runs our ADHD Support Group Meetings & Workshops and co-facilitates Mental Health First Aid certification trainings for legal professionals.
Shawn can be reached at (617) 482-9600 or shawn@lclma.org.
Jeff Fortgang, PhD
Jeff Fortgang, Ph.D. joined LCL in 1998. As a Clinical Psychologist, HSP, he meets with clients regularly, leads groups, writes articles, and makes presentations to the legal community.
After graduating from Yale and working for a few years as a musician/songwriter, Jeff completed his PhD in Clinical Psychology in 1980. His dissertation, internship, and fellowship focused on treatment of alcoholism. Jeff has held positions at Mass. General, Mt. Auburn, Newton-Wellesley, and McLean Hospitals, worked with various employee assistance programs, and directed programs at Westwood Lodge Hospital and Bay Colony/Spofford Hall Outpatient Services.
A former Instructor in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry of Harvard Medical School (1993-2016), he has been in his half-time LCL role since 1998. He is a member of the American Psychological Association and the National Register of Healthcare Providers in Psychology, and Mass.-licensed as both a psychologist and alcohol/drug counselor. His private practice office is in Newton Highlands.
He is the coauthor of the book The Full Weight of the Law: How Legal Professionals Can Recognize and Rebound from Depression (ABA publication, 2017 – available in our lending library) with another LCL Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Shawn Healy.
Jeff runs our Solo | Stress Connection Support Group and our Immigration Lawyers Support Group.
Jeff can be reached at (617) 482-9600 or drjeff@lclma.org.
Tracey Meyers, PsyD
Tracey Meyers, Psy.D. joined LCL in 2020 following her work for the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services where she spent over 17 years working as a clinical neuropsychologist and most recently as the director of behavioral intervention services for inpatient services. In addition to her over 25 years of neuropsychological assessment and psychotherapy experience, Tracey has a strong commitment to integrative medicine for mental health and wellness and leads mindfulness and yoga programs for groups, individuals, and professionals in the workplace.
Tracey graduated from Skidmore College in 1992 and completed her doctorate in clinical psychology from Florida Tech in 1997. She completed her internship and post-doctoral training in neuropsychology at the Miami VA and University of Miami. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, the National Association of Neuropsychology, the International Neuropsychological Society, and the National Register of Healthcare Providers in Psychology. Tracey is a licensed clinical psychologist in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. In addition, she is an advanced yoga teacher, certified trainer in Mental Health First Aid, certified yoga therapist, and an instructor in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindful-Self Compassion, Breath-Body-Mind, and Integrative Restoration (iRest).
Tracey has authored several publications including articles and book chapters around integrative medicine, positive behavioral support treatment for different mental health conditions, and developing collaborative relationships in healthcare settings. Tracey is the author of the book, Yin Yoga Therapy and Mental Health, a guide for well-being using the healing practices of yoga and meditation.
Tracey runs our Weekly Yoga for Busy Legal Professionals and Weekly Mindfulness for Busy Legal Professionals, as well as office hours and groups at Massachusetts law schools. She is on the board of Mindfulness and the Law Society (MILS) and regularly leads mindfulness practices for their national organization. Tracey is committed to reducing stigma around mental health in the law and co-facilitates Mental Health First Aid certification trainings for legal professionals.
Tracey can be reached at (617) 482-9600 or tracey@lclma.org.
Amy Levine (Moderator)
Amy Levine joined LCL in 2023. As Director of Programs and Volunteers, Amy coordinates our organization’s educational programming as well as contributions to our organization from across the Massachusetts legal profession.
Amy Levine has over 20 years working in the legal industry including working at Goulston & Storrs and Hale and Dorr (currently WilmerHale) and spent the last 15 years working as a vice president and legal recruiter at one of the top legal staffing firms in New England. She has experience in recruiting, coaching, counseling, professional development, and career management. She has presented at Boston University Paralegal Certificate program, the Massachusetts Paralegal Association and resume workshops. Additionally, she has coached Attorneys, Paralegals and Business Professionals on resume writing, job search techniques, and other elements of this process to find their ideal job. She received her Master of Social Work degree from Boston University and has dedicated her career to improving people’s lives.