from anxiety to ease
Therapy for lawyers
When anxiety, burnout, or self-doubt take over, find your way back to yourself.
we specialize in helping lawyerS with:
burnout
You may appear to be managing everything on the surface, while internally feeling exhausted, disconnected, overwhelmed, or trapped in cycles of rumination, and self-doubt. You may push through stress until you hit burnout, oscillating between over-functioning and procrastination, unsure how to slow down without feeling guilty or unsafe. You may question whether taking a leave would be helpful.
Perfectionism
You may hold yourself to exceptionally high standards but you rarely feel like you’re enough. You may find yourself repeatedly reviewing emails, work products, or social interactions, worrying about mistakes, second-guessing yourself, or feeling unable to switch off. However, you work in a profession where perfectionism is rewarded so it’s hard to do something different.
anxiety
depression / self doubt
The cost of always being “on” can be high. You may struggle with a mind that never seems to switch off, even when you’re exhausted. You may find yourself overthinking, ruminating, anticipating worst-case scenarios, or feeling constantly tense. You may have difficulty relaxing or falling or staying asleep.
depression / self doubt
depression / self doubt
You may feel exhausted, irritable, have difficulty focusing, and be losing motivation. The pressure to keep performing at a high level can make it difficult to recognize how much you’ve been struggling. From the outside, you may appear capable and composed, while privately second-guessing yourself.
career transitions & uncertainty
Your identity, self worth, and confidence are often closely tied to your work and achievements. You may find yourself questioning whether your current path is sustainable or fulfilling. You may feel pressure to keep up even during major life transitions. You may have reached a point where your usual strategies, pushing harder, staying busy, or thinking things through alone have stopped working.
relationships & attachment
High pressure environments can intensify attachment patterns such as people-pleasing, fear of conflict, fear of abandonment, difficulty trusting others, and feeling responsible for everyone else’s needs. Or, you may find yourself emotionally exhausted, withdrawn, overly independent, reactive under stress, or struggling to be fully present with the people closest to you. Over time, this can lead to disconnection, resentment, loneliness, or recurring relationship challenges
Meet our Team of Therapists for Lawyers
Melanie Banka Goela
Melanie Banka Goela
Melanie Banka Goela
- Former Lawyer
- Registered Psychotherapist & Social Worker
- Co-founder
- 15+ years experience
Ellen Schlesinger
Melanie Banka Goela
Melanie Banka Goela
- Former Lawyer
- Registered Psychotherapist & Social Worker
- Co-Founder
- 15+ years experience
Liz Beiderman
Melanie Banka Goela
Liz Beiderman
- Lead Associate
- Registered Psychotherapist & Certified Clinical Counsellor
- 10+ years experience
We welcome you
We welcome and affirm people of all genders and gender identities, races, sexual orientations, body sizes, abilities, neurotypes, ethnicities, religions, spiritual beliefs, health statuses, and adult ages in our therapy and counselling practice.
Our practice was founded in Toronto, on the traditional territory of many Indigenous nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples. Toronto is home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities and is covered by Treaty 13 and the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant.
We're here to help
Our team specializes in providing counselling/therapy to lawyers & others in Ontario (including Toronto) struggling with anxiety, stress, burnout, low mood/depression, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, ADHD, grief & loss, relationship & career challenges.