Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What are the dates/locations of AA/mental health support or therapy group meetings?
• How can I get a referral to a therapist or psychologist?
• How does LCL work?
• Who do I talk to about the possibility of a chemical dependency/mental health problem?
• How confidential is the information that I share?
• I have a colleague/friend who may have a substance abuse problem, what can I do?
• I have a colleague/friend who may have a problem with Depression, what can I do, or he/she do?
• Do you have names of treatment programs?
• What is an intervention and how does it work?
• I don't have insurance, what can I do?

Q: What are the dates/locations of AA/mental health support or therapy group meetings?

A: Click here to find out the latest information on groups.

Q: How can I get a referral to a therapist/psychologist?

A: LCL works closely with DOR (Delivering Organizational Results) to provide consistent, high quality professional assessments covering the full range of behavioral health problems. Based on the DOR counselor's assessment, you will receive an appropriate referral to a therapist or psychologist best suited to deal with your problem. Call LCL at 651-646-5590 or 1-866-525-6466 to learn more or to set up an appointment for an assessment.

Q: How does LCL work?

A: LCL is funded by donations from individuals and law firms and from grants. The Minnesota Supreme Court, using funds received from lawyer license fees, supports local's lawyer assistance services. LCL currently has two full-time staff and over three hundred members, many of whom volunteer to support LCL activities and to mentor other lawyers wanting support. DOR (Delivering Organizational Results) provides 24-hour crisis telephone counseling, assessments, short-term counseling, and referrals to appropriate care providers. LCL's CLEs and other educational seminars are presented by lawyer members and LCL staff, who also assist with interventions, personal and organizational consultations, and policy efforts to create more supportive structures within the legal systems and law schools.

Q: Whom do I talk to about the possibility of a chemical dependency/mental health problem?

A: People call LCL with questions about their own alcohol/drug or mental health concerns or their concerns for others' problems. Depending on the depth of interest in self-discovery or desire to obtain help, LCL staff will put the caller directly in touch with a DOR counselor to answer questions about the assessment process and to schedule an appointment for an assessment. LCL will also offer the assistance of a lawyer mentor, matched by gender, age, type of law practice and personal problem. This mentor can support the lawyer prior to the assessment and through the course of professional treatment. He/she can also introduce the lawyer to other members of LCL who have "walked a similar path."

Q: How confidential is the information that I share?

A: LCL operates under a policy of total confidentiality except in cases where a person's life is in immediate danger such as suicide. LCL has no reporting links with any other group, organization or institution. If any information should be requested by the bar, the Office of Lawyer Professional Responsibility, a law school or a licensing office, LCL would simply state its policy of total confidentiality and refuse to provide any information including either affirming or denying that a person had made contact or received services through LCL. DOR operates under the same total confidentiality policy and will not release information about any lawyer or law student seen by their counselors, even to LCL! Of course, with a client's written consent, information will be released to those specified in the release.

Q: I have a colleague/friend who may have a substance abuse problem, what can I do?

A: LCL offers consultation to friends, colleagues and family members of those afflicted with substance abuse and other behavioral health disorders. Identifying the problem is important in determining how to approach the person. For example, in cases of alcohol/drug dependency the intervention process is highly effective in communicating the seriousness of the illness and the depth of concern of those involved. A trained facilitator will work with the people who are concerned to teach them about the nature of this illness, effective strategies for communication, and how to follow-up after meeting with the client. Where mental illness is involved other approaches can be more appropriate. Contacting LCL is the best way to begin educating yourself about effective responses to substance abuse and other behavioral health problems.

Q: I have a colleague/friend who may have a problem with Depression, what can I do, or he/she do?

A: An accurate professional assessment is the first step for anyone concerned about their mental health. LCL provides free confidential assessments through DOR. The counselor will complete the assessment and make a referral to an appropriate provider for counseling and/or medication evaluation. LCL can help a friend, colleague or family member understand the aspects of depression and expected reactions of the afflicted individual. We can also offer effective techniques for communicating genuine concern and the symptoms the individual is displaying as well as a message of hope. Since the number one cause of suicide is untreated depression, LCL offers an approach to assessing the person's risk for self-destructive behavior and guidance regarding action when the risk is high.

Q: Do you have names of treatment programs?

A: The identification of high quality treatment programs for mental health and alcohol/drug addiction is critical to giving clients the best possible opportunity for recovery. LCL believes in an ongoing evaluation of programs to assure both quality and consistency. Since DOR has the responsibility for the professional assessment, DOR also collects data on the quality of programs that have previously met their high standards. To avoid situations in which clients attempt to assess their own problems and make potentially inappropriate treatment decisions, LCL does not recommend specific treatment programs to clients.

Q: What is an intervention and how does it work?

A: An intervention is a process in which people who care about the user and who have first-hand data about someone's alcohol/drug use and its consequences, learn about the effects of addiction on the user and on those who care about him/her. They learn how to use their data and their new understanding of addiction to communicate effectively to the user their care and concern. Having understood the effects of the addiction on themselves through progressive enabling of the disease, the concerned persons resolve to act in more responsible and healthful ways and to communicate those commitments to the user. Experiencing the cumulative effect of concerned person's love and care, their concern about specific use-related behaviors, and their commitment to stop enabling, the addicted person is profoundly moved and usually will agree to accept treatment. In those cases when treatment is not accepted the intervention process continues when the concerned persons begin their new, more responsible and healthy behavior and the enabling ceases.

Q: I don't have insurance, what can I do?

A: LCL's services are free to lawyers, judges and law students. LCL's contract with DOR covers up to four individual counseling sessions at no charge to our client. In cases where treatment for alcohol/drug abuse or dependency is required, LCL and DOR have made arrangements with several treatment providers to provide care to some of our clients at reduced rates and in some cases at no charge. Candidates for reduced fees or no charge will be determined by DOR and LCL. In cases where mental health services are required, LCL offers a therapy group led by a licensed chemical health and mental health professional at no charge. Medications can often be obtained from psychiatric or other medical providers in the form of samples made available by pharmaceutical companies.

In addition the LCL Board of Directors has established the Founders' Memorial Fund for lawyers, judges and law students who are without the financial resources to access needed treatment. Contact LCL for more information.