Mini Psychology School for Attorneys

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Overview

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Attorneys encounter mental health in nearly every corner of practice - in clients whose depression derails deposition prep, in opposing parties whose symptoms may be genuine or feigned, in expert reports that can make or break a case, and in the quiet toll the profession takes on lawyers themselves. This course, taught by experienced clinicians and litigators, gives attorneys a working knowledge of the psychology they actually need. Across four modules, you will learn to recognize the patterns of depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, and personality disorders - not to diagnose, but to adapt your communication and representation. You will apply a validity-testing framework for suspected malingering, learn how to select and depose mental-health experts, and take an honest look at attorney well-being, including confidential lawyer assistance resources. Each lesson pairs video instruction with key-takeaway readings and downloadable handouts, and the course closes with an AI-coached dialogue, hands-on application exercises, and a peer-reviewed representation plan that puts every framework to work on a realistic client matter.

Syllabus

Depression and Bipolar Disorder
- This module of Mini Psychology School for Attorneys — Depression and Bipolar Disorder — covers 2 lessons: Depression and Bipolar Disorder and Anxiety Disorders and PTSD.By the end of this module, you'll be able to apply Dr. Zach Poliacoff's DSM-based framework for depression and bipolar disorder - the five-symptom diagnostic threshold, manic-episode characteristics, communication adaptations, and the cocaine-intoxication analogy for mania presentation. You'll also apply Bonnie Miller Ladds' clinical framework for recognizing anxiety disorders and PTSD - triggers, trauma-informed evaluation, and care approaches relevant to legal client interactions.How to engage: Start with the first lesson and proceed in order. Read the per-lesson takeaways after each video. Take the practice quiz at the end of the module to check your understanding before moving on.
Understanding Addiction
- This module of Mini Psychology School for Attorneys — Understanding Addiction — covers 2 lessons: Understanding Addiction and Personality Disorders: Narcissism, BPD and Beyond.By the end of this module, you'll be able to apply Dr. Daniel Bober's framework for addiction as a brain-based disease - distinguish mental illness from substance-use disorder, treatment vs. punishment frames, and the resilience and recovery model. You'll also apply Dr. Michael Brannon's DSM-5-TR framework for narcissism, borderline personality disorder, and other personality disorders - symptoms, communication adaptations, and what makes Cluster B personality disorders particularly challenging in legal representation.How to engage: Start with the first lesson and proceed in order. Read the per-lesson takeaways after each video. Take the practice quiz at the end of the module to check your understanding before moving on.
Malingering and Feigned Mental Illness
- This module of Mini Psychology School for Attorneys — Malingering and Feigned Mental Illness — covers 3 lessons: Malingering and Feigned Mental Illness; Working with Mental Health Experts and Records (Part 1); and Working with Mental Health Experts and Records (Part 2).By the end of this module, you'll be able to apply Dr. Damarys Sanchez's framework for identifying malingering or feigned mental illness - validity testing, symptom-feigning indicators, and the distinction between exaggeration and outright fabrication. You'll also apply Dr. Jerome Poliacoff and John Schutz's framework for working with mental health experts and records - expert selection, deposition strategy, record review, and the ethics of clinical evaluations for litigation purposes.How to engage: Start with the first lesson and proceed in order. Read the per-lesson takeaways after each video. Take the practice quiz at the end of the module to check your understanding before moving on.
Attorney Mental Health & Wellness - Foundations
- This module of Mini Psychology School for Attorneys — Attorney Mental Health & Wellness - Foundations — covers 2 lessons: Attorney Mental Health & Wellness - Foundations and Self-Care, Confidentiality & Firm-Level Wellness.By the end of this module, you'll be able to apply Brian Quinn's framework for attorney mental health and wellness (Part 1) - the prevalence of mental health challenges in legal practice, recognizing warning signs, and the resources Lawyers Concern for Lawyers of Pennsylvania provides. You'll also apply Brian Quinn's framework for self-care and intervention (Part 2) - confidentiality protections, ethical obligations when colleagues struggle, and the structural changes firms can make to support attorney wellness.How to engage: Start with the first lesson and proceed in order. Read the per-lesson takeaways after each video. Take the practice quiz at the end of the module to check your understanding before moving on.