Ep #243: How to Deal with Grief with Jayne Rossworn

The Joyful Practice for Women Lawyers with Paula Price | How to Deal with Grief with Jayne Rossworn

Grief can show up in unexpected ways and at unexpected times. In this episode, I welcome Jayne Rossworn, a registered clinical counselor and former lawyer who works with The Lawyer Mindset, to explore how grief affects lawyers both personally and professionally. Whether you’re navigating the loss of a loved one, a job transition, a shift in identity, or even a positive change, grief is a universal human experience that deserves acknowledgment and care.

 

Jayne brings a unique perspective to this conversation, drawing on her background as a corporate solicitor, her work with hundreds of law students in career services, and her experience as an elite athlete and coach. She explains that grief is not just an emotion but a complex experience that involves our physical, social, spiritual, intellectual, and emotional beings. For high performers like lawyers, the strengths that help us stay composed under pressure and compartmentalize emotions can sometimes prevent us from processing or even recognizing losses we’ve experienced.

 

You’ll learn why the five stages of grief aren’t a checklist to complete, how the legal profession’s culture of stoicism and perfectionism can complicate the grieving process, and practical strategies for supporting yourself through periods of loss. Jayne shares tools you can use even in the middle of a workday, including grounding exercises and the importance of scheduling time to grieve. Whether you’re experiencing grief yourself or want to better support a colleague who is, this conversation offers compassionate guidance for navigating one of life’s most challenging experiences.

 

 

Leadership for Women Lawyers is my six-month group coaching program dedicated to supporting women lawyers, just like you, in your practice and your personal life. Click here for more information and stay tuned for the next opportunity to register.

 

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:
  • Why grief shows up in so many areas of a lawyer’s life, from job loss to positive transitions like promotions or parenthood.
  • How the legal profession’s culture of perfectionism and stoicism can complicate the grieving process.
  • Why the five stages of grief are descriptive, not prescriptive, and grief actually comes in waves.
  • The difference between intuitive and instrumental grieving styles and why both are healthy.
  • Practical grounding exercises you can use at work when grief surfaces unexpectedly.
  • How unprocessed grief can contribute to lawyer burnout and physical symptoms.
  • What to say and do when supporting a colleague who is grieving.

 

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