Clinician’s Corner

As marijuana becomes increasingly legal and socially accepted across the United States, discussion about its use often focus on criminal justice reform, regulation, and personal freedom. What receives far less attention is the impact marijuana may have on mental health- particularly in high stress professions like the practice of law.

How do we create more joy in our lives, especially when the law is so demanding of our time? I often hear this question when I give presentations, see clients, or run into people at legal events.

Many people with anxiety or depression struggle to name their emotions, often identifying only a few emotions like “anxious” or “depressed.” This narrow emotional awareness can intensify distress and limit relief. It’s especially common in the legal field, where logic and emotional restraint are valued, leading to emotional disconnect over time.

Once we realize our mind is often on ‘auto-pilot,’ we have the opportunity to understand and change our thinking patterns that can lead us ‘astray.’

LAP’s Clinical Director Joe Scally often reminds us that we can choose to act on our hopes or act out of our fears. Thinking of change as an opportunity for growth, we can then seize this as an opportunity.

How do we prevent this soul erosion, while doing our work and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships and friendships?