From Lawyer to Therapist: Moira Cook on Burnout, People-Pleasing, and Mental Health in Law

Tim welcomes Moira Cook, a former estate litigation lawyer turned registered psychotherapist, for an insightful conversation about mental health in the legal profession. After practicing law in Toronto for nearly a decade, Moira experienced a personal crisis that led to anxiety, burnout, and ultimately a major career shift. Today she works primarily with lawyers, helping them navigate stress, burnout, addiction, ADHD, and the unique pressures that come with legal practice.Moira shares how the culture of law can create a constant underlying sense of fear. Fear of mistakes, fear of disappointing clients or supervisors, and fear of career failure. Many lawyers struggle with people-pleasing tendencies and the habit of intellectualizing emotions rather than processing them. These patterns, while often rewarded professionally, can take a toll on long-term well-being.Tim and Moira discuss the practical tools that can help lawyers regain balance, including simple journaling, mindfulness practices, and building awareness around emotions instead of suppressing them. Moira also explains why therapy with someone who understands the legal profession can be particularly helpful for lawyers seeking support. The conversation also explores career identity, the “golden handcuffs” that keep many lawyers feeling stuck, and why defining your personal values early in your career can make a major difference.About Moira CookMoira Cook is a registered psychotherapist and former estate litigation lawyer who practiced in Toronto for nearly ten years before transitioning into mental health care. Drawing on her background in law, Moira now works primarily with lawyers, law students, and legal professionals facing burnout, anxiety, ADHD, addiction, and other mental health challenges.Her work focuses on helping legal professionals understand the psychological pressures of the profession while developing healthier boundaries, coping strategies, and self-awareness.—Contact Tim Culbert: LinkedInPurvis Culbert Law LinkedInInstagramFacebookContact Moira Cook: WebsiteInstagramLinkedin