Training Module 2: Perfectionism, Burnout, and Workaholism

Attorney Burnout

Module 2: Perfectionism, Burnout, and Workaholism

Explore how attorneys develop maladaptive coping mechanisms in high-stakes, performance-driven environments.

  • The myth of invincibility and fear of vulnerability

  • The collapse of self-worth into achievement

  • Burnout symptoms unique to legal professionals

In this critical training module, clinicians will explore the interrelated challenges of perfectionism, burnout, and workaholism that are prevalent within the attorney population. Attorneys commonly develop perfectionistic standards early in life, reinforced through law school and professional culture, which often manifest as compulsive work patterns, relentless self-criticism, and an inability to disengage from professional demands. These patterns significantly increase vulnerability to professional burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, diminished empathy, and decreased satisfaction in both professional and personal domains. Participants will be introduced to evidence-based therapeutic approaches—including cognitive-behavioral interventions, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based strategies—that help attorneys recalibrate their relationship with achievement, set realistic boundaries, manage stress effectively, and restore balance and meaning in their lives.

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