Informed Consent, Lived Experience & Finding Your Voice: patient Rights & Healing

What does it mean to truly be informed when making decisions about your health—and what happens when that trust is questioned?In this episode of The Story Seat, I sit down with Ellen Lubensky for a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation about mental health systems, informed consent, medication withdrawal, and the journey of finding one’s voice after long-term medical challenges.Ellen’s path began in the legal field, where she practiced Social Security Disability and medical malpractice law. But her perspective shifted profoundly through her own lived experience—nearly two decades navigating a disabling condition linked to psychiatric medication.That experience led her to begin asking difficult questions about transparency, patient autonomy, and the information people receive when making critical healthcare decisions. Today, she combines her legal background with lived experience to advocate for patient-centered care and informed consent.In this conversation, we explore:Ellen’s lived experience within the psychiatric systemWhat informed consent should truly mean in healthcareThe long-term impact of medication and withdrawal experiencesGaps in communication between patients and providersThe intersection of law, ethics, and lived experienceNavigating complex and sensitive conversations with clarityPatient autonomy, trust, and systemic transparencyEllen also shares reflections on what it means to rebuild a sense of agency after long-term medical challenges, and how personal experience can evolve into advocacy for others.This episode invites listeners to think more deeply about how health decisions are made, how information is shared, and why patient voice matters in every step of care.If you’ve ever questioned systems of care, navigated your own health journey, or simply want to better understand the importance of informed consent, this conversation will stay with you.