I need help
Barristers inherently face very specific challenges on a daily basis. If you need some help click on support to find contact details and advice on seeking support.
The professional lives of clerks and chambers’ staff include many potential stressors. If you don’t know how to broach an issue, want advice on your options.
These resources have been designed specifically for those who have completed their BPTC and for pupils up to tenancy.
Resources
Guidance on how to introduce wellbeing policies and initiatives and on tackling a wellbeing issue in chambers.
Examples of successful wellbeing initiatives adopted by chambers, Specialist Bar Associations and the Inns of Court.
Support
Who to talk to, how to get help in coping with the pressures and demands of life at the Bar.
Who to talk to and how to get help, resources are for clerks and staff themselves.
Support for students and pupils
Who to talk to and how to get help for those who have completed their BPTC and for pupils up to tenancy.
The confidential 24/7 helpline with access to counselling for barristers, pupils, clerks and chambers’ staff.
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Recovering from Addiction
This audio combines an informative and experiential approach for anyone wanting to recover from addiction. It is designed as a start-up, and/or booster, intervention. It may, or may not, be the only support you will need to control your addiction. Please find a quiet place (not when driving) in which to listen to it, where you won’t be interrupted.
22 minutes
Overcoming Anxiety
This audio provides a short guided exercise designed to alleviate stress and anxiety which can be used as a one-off stand alone, and which becomes increasingly effective the more it is practised. Please find a quiet place (not when driving) in which to listen to it, where you won’t be interrupted.
13 minutes
Recovering from Trauma
This series of short audios are designed as an introduction to trauma recovery, providing both information and practical tools to help you move beyond trauma. The techniques taught are widely recognised to be helpful in overcoming trauma. However, these audios do not encompass experiential trauma processing as it is important that this be done in the safe environment of one-to-one therapy. Please listen to, and work with, these audios in order. If listening to them makes you feel anxious, please stop immediately and seek some one-to-one specialist trauma therapy. There are some gentle, quick and very effective therapeutic methods for trauma resolution. You will want to find a quiet place (not when driving) in which to listen to these, where you won’t be interrupted.
Part 1 (10 minutes)
Part 2 (12 minutes)
Part 3 (10 minutes)
About the Author
Sarah Wiesendanger is a psychotherapist and mindfulness practitioner. She has studied mindfulness meditation with a master from the Rinzai tradition of Zen. She works as a psychotherapist for cancer patients at The Fountain centre within The Royal Surrey County Hospital, for military veterans at PTSD Resolution, as well as having her own private practice. Sarah has recently started providing counselling for barristers through the Wellness for Law Network. Sarah has an excellent understanding of life at the Bar and is married to a barrister.
- The Human Givens Institute – Postgraduate Diploma in Solution-Focused Psychotherapy
- Terapia – Counselling Skills for Young People
- Cruse – Bereavement Counselling Training
- Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education – Postgraduate Diploma
- Macmillan – Group Counselling Facilitation Training
- EFT Centre – NLP, Hypnotherapy
- London College of Clinical Hypnotherapy – Medical Hypnotherapy Diploma
- Zenways – Mindfulness Mediation Study and Teacher Training
The information and resource packs on this website are designed to help you and your colleagues to work as a community for better wellbeing and professional resilience. If you want to provide feedback on these resources, or to get involved in promoting wellbeing please get in touch.
It can be difficult to make a living from law and it can be pressurised and demanding. Competition and an adversarial approach to everything can make collegiate relationships difficult. This website aims to provide you with the knowledge to manage these stressors, make emotionally informed, wise professional decisions and thrive in your chosen profession.
A simple expression that sums up wellbeing is ‘travelling well’
2 in 3 barristers feel that showing signs of stress equals weakness