Promotes Wellness to Combat Trauma Associated with Defending Clients in Criminal and Family Court
The Westchester County Office of Assigned Counsel (OAC) hosted a virtual seminar to explore the causes and effects of trauma and stress on their panel of attorneys who represent clients in Criminal and Family court, and to provide strategies to reduce the impacts of these stressors.
“In Defense of Defenders: Understanding and Mitigating Burnout, Vicarious Trauma and Moral Injury” was crafted in response to the need expressed by the OAC on behalf of its attorneys. These attorneys are assigned to represent a wide array of individuals who cannot afford to retain counsel and involve traumatic and violent situations. When a client’s trauma history impacts the attorney’s mindset and emotional state, this is called “vicarious trauma.” The seminar focused on how to identify sources of trauma, build resilience strategies and practice mindfulness and breathing.
Underscoring the importance of healthy communities, the OAC worked in collaboration with the Westchester Department of Community Mental Health, and with key community partners such as the Westchester Library System and the Westchester County Bar to promote wellness among the dedicated corps of attorneys who fight for justice throughout the County.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “The ‘In Defense of Defenders’ seminar is a great model of how the expertise of one County department can be utilized as a resource for the well-being and benefit of County employees in another. This type of synergy is what makes Westchester County government strong and effective. I applaud the efforts of the OAC in looking out for their attorneys, and the DMHC for facilitating the process of understanding and healing from vicarious trauma.”
Westchester County Attorney John Nonna said: “I am proud of the County’s dedication to creating an independent Office of Assigned Counsel, and gratified by my role in establishing it. The OAC is always seeking to provide resources and support to the lawyers participating in this very demanding program. DMCH’s presentation on understanding the trauma that comes from this type of work, and learning strategies for combatting burnout was on the mark and well received by the participants.”
OAC Administrator Stephanie Perez said: “Attorneys on the Assigned Counsel Panel provide high quality legal representation to their clients. They concentrate on helping clients who may be experiencing trauma and stress, often absorbing this trauma and stress themselves. In crafting ‘In Defense of Defenders,’ the OAC’s objective was to focus on the wellness of these attorneys who provide this critically important representation, and to support them with resources and tools for practicing self-care.”
Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health Program Director Andrew Bell, Ph.D., said: “Defense attorneys face a paradox --- what makes them so effective in their work can also raise their susceptibility to occupational hazards: vicarious trauma, job burnout and moral injury. We hope that exploring these issues through the lens of trauma and toxic stress will lead them to seek out and implement some of the strategies and supports highlighted in the seminar to help them navigate the unique stressors they face in this important work.”