Mandatory Therapy

I will be adding a new section to my retainer wherein the client agrees to begin therapy sessions within 5 days of retaining my services or I will have the right to terminate my representation of them immediately. The reason is that I and my staff are spending way too much time holding hysterical client's hands and not enough time practicing law. Today alone, I need to meet with a client who has been told numerous times what to do about her mentally abusive husband and I have explained ad naseum what we are doing on her case. Regardless of this she is stressing to the point of neurosis. I will be talking her off the ledge today as I once again tell her to change the locks on her home and contact the police if hubby tries to intrude. Answering the question about my plan of action, I will again reiterate that as long as he is paying EVERY bill in the house and she is getting money on top of that AND the case is moving along with him paying for ALL appraisals it is ok to just wait and let things progress. Why is he always winning?? I keep getting asked. He does not win when he is paying for everything. He does not win when he is out of the house. He does not win when he has to make appointments to see his kids. The court has certain proceedures which must be followed. I explain this over and over again and certain clients will act as if they are hearing this for the first time each time. On the other hand my male clients, who by the way usually listen to me and get into counselling, are less likely to go off the deep end. When they do however, it is because they are paying everything and want it to stop, at some point. These are the cases I usually push on harder to either settle or to get through with discovery so we can set a trial date.
After my meeting my client apologized for her behavior. She is loaded with stress and beleive me I understand that well. Learning how to deal with the stress is why a therapist is required. Please don't tell me you have had a hard time getting an appointment, just get one.