Utah State Bar Unveils the Lawyers Assistance Program (LAP)
by Brent Hale
"One of every four lawyers suffers from stress, and out of 105 occupations, lawyers rank first in depression. In addition, a disproportionate number of lawyers commit suicide."
ABA Journal, June 2005
The Utah State Bar, at the urging of the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs, has taken the lead in an extensive effort to reach out to lawyers and judges who are struggling with personal difficulties. A new Lawyers Assistance Program (LAP) is now available to assist lawyers and their immediate family. The new LAP will not be limited to alcohol/drug abuse and offers help for a full spectrum of personal and professional dilemmas. Comfortable in the role of trained helper and problem solver, lawyers too often tend to ignore their own personal and family distress until small problems become major threats to their careers and well-being. These problems can affect their work, leading to professional difficulties and, sometimes, to ethical lapses.
Effective March 1, 2006, the Utah State Bar has contracted with Blomquist Hale Consulting to provide members with face-to-face counseling services. These counseling services are provided free of charge to members of the Bar and their families.
What is the Lawyers' Assistance Program (LAP)?
The Lawyers Assistance Program is a counseling resource funded by the Utah State Bar to assist lawyers and their dependents address a broad range of personal difficulties that may be causing them distress. It provides face-to-face counseling to help resolve such concerns as: marital difficulties, family problems, stress, depression, anxiety, personal cash flow management difficulties, elder care challenges, and assessment for drug/alcohol dependence.
Why is the Utah State Bar offering this program to all its lawyers?
Encouraging lawyers to address personal problems effectively is one of the best ways to prevent ethical violations, to reduce disciplinary actions among lawyers and to protect the public. Although some lawyers have access to an employee assistance program (EAP) through their employer, the vast majority do not. Even those currently covered by traditional EAP's have limited resources that frequently fall short of the intensive, solution-focused problem-solving services offered through Blomquist Hale Consulting by the Utah State Bar's Lawyers Assistance Program.
Can staff members other than attorneys use this program?
Only members of the Utah State Bar and their household dependents are eligible for these services. However, the Bar has negotiated a special arrangement with Blomquist Hale Consulting to allow lawyers to purchase, as a group, a staff assistance program for their non-attorney staff members at a discounted rate. To obtain more information about offering a staff assistance program to your staff members, contact Blomquist Hale Consulting at 1-800-926-9619.
Can family members of attorneys access this assistance free of charge?
Yes. Dependents living in the same household and children living away to attend school are covered by the LAP. Be sure to inform them of this new resource.
What does it cost members to use this program?
All LAP services are free of charge to members of the Utah State Bar and their eligible dependants. There are no co-pays or deductibles for LAP services. The Utah State Bar pays a set, capitated fee each month to cover the cost of all LAP services. However, the LAP is not an insurance program. It may refer clients to outside resources, but does not cover the cost of any referred services.
What services are provided?
The LAP offers face-to-face, short-term, counseling to address a broad range of difficulties. The LAP counselors use an approach called solution-focused therapy. Unlike more traditional therapy approaches which seek primarily to help clients achieve insight, solution-focused therapy assists the client to develop the strategies and skills to successfully address the problem themselves. Using this supportive approach, clients are encouraged to take the steps necessary to effectively resolve their difficulty.
There is no set limit on the number of sessions provided through the LAP. Most problems are addressed in just a few sessions over a couple of months. However, some types of problems are not appropriately treated by short-term therapy and are referred to appropriate community providers. Over 80% of all cases are handled within the LAP with no referrals made to outside providers.
The LAP is available 24/7 to help with crisis and emergency situations. They will also conduct critical incident stress debriefings where appropriate. In some of their offices, Blomquist Hale Consulting also offers free multi-week groups that focus on relationship skills, parenting, and personal growth.
Are LAP services confidential?
Yes. Blomquist Hale Consulting strictly adheres to all professional, state and federal confidentiality guidelines. The HIPAA confidentiality rules govern the practice of the LAP. Disclosure of information is governed by Notice of Privacy Practices for Blomquist Hale Consulting. Unless a client requests that information be disclosed by executing an authorization to release information, the LAP will not disclose any personally identifiable information to the Utah State Bar. UtahÕs Rules of Professional Conduct expressly provide confidentiality during participation in an approved lawyers assistance program (Rule 8.3).
How is the LAP different from the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Program?
The primary focus of Utah Lawyers Helping Lawyers has been to provide lawyer to lawyer assistance through peer counseling. The LAP is designed to offer a much broader range of resources to lawyers. As in the past, Lawyers Helping Lawyers is still available to members of the Utah State Bar. Where appropriate, the LAP will refer lawyers to the help provided by Lawyers Helping Lawyers.
What are the credentials of the LAP counselors?
Each of the counselors providing services for the LAP has at least a masters degree and is licensed by the state as a Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor or Psychologist. You can access pictures and credentials for the Blomquist Hale Clinical Staff at www.blomquisthale.com in the "bios of clinicians" section.
How do I access the LAP?
Access is as simple as calling the LAP and scheduling an appointment. No paperwork or approval is needed. If you live along the Wasatch Front, call directly to the Blomquist Hale office listed below that is nearest you. If you live outside the Wasatch Front, you access the LAP by calling 1-800-926-9619.
Salt Lake City (801) 262-9619
Ogden (801) 392-6833
Orem (801) 225-9222
Logan (435) 752-3241
Brigham City (435) 752-3241
What service is available to those outside the Wasatch Front?
When you call the toll-free number (1-800-926-9619), you will speak to the LAP staff in Salt Lake City who will connect you with a contracted affiliate therapist in your area. You will be invited to schedule face-to-face counseling with an affiliate therapist within a reasonable distance from you. If you prefer, the LAP can also schedule telephone consults to help you address your difficulty.
Where can I get more information about the LAP provided by Blomquist Hale Consulting?
There is a link on the Utah State Bar website that takes you to the information provided by Blomquist Hale at www.blomquisthale.com. This resource contains more detailed descriptions of services as well as useful articles and links to a vast array of helpful information and services.
Look for the representative from Blomquist Hale Consulting at the Utah State Bar's spring convention in St George and the annual convention in Newport Beach.