About Us

MAP is hiring!

Part-Time Staff Clinician (Remote or Hybrid)

Maine Assistance Program for Lawyers and Judges

Employment Type: Part-Time (16-24 hours per week)

Education & Credentials: Master’s or Doctoral degree in counseling, psychology,

social work, or related field. Legal education or training a decided plus.

Annual Salary: $45,000-$55,000

Program description

The Maine Assistance Program for Lawyers and Judges (MAP) was created in 2002 by rule of the Maine Supreme Court to help protect the public from harm caused by lawyer and judge impairment and to assist lawyers and judges in obtaining treatment and support for the underlying causes of that impairment. MAP provides confidential assistance and support to lawyers, judges, and law students dealing with all manner of mental health, behavioral, substance use, or aging and cognition-related challenges.

Position overview

MAP is a mission-driven organization and is seeking candidates with professional and/or lived experience, as well as a keen interest in, the well-being and mental health of legal professionals. The Clinician will have four primary functions: (1) provide individual therapy to Maine lawyers and judges, MAP participants, and monitorees; (2) monitor some participants subject to voluntary monitoring agreements; (3) collaborate with the Executive Director on long-term strategic and organizational planning; and, (4) on rare occasions, provide crisis response and intervention.

The time spent per week on each of these activities will vary depending on participant need and case numbers. MAP anticipates that applicants for this position may wish to maintain a part or half-time private therapeutic practice alongside the Clinician role. MAP intends to provide as much flexibility as possible so that the Clinician’s private practice and work with MAP can be integrated seamlessly.

Individual therapy

The Clinician will provide one-on-one therapeutic treatment (either in person or via telehealth) for three categories of clients:

Any Maine attorney, judge, or law student seeking therapy;
MAP participants (individuals with a preexisting MAP relationship); and
MAP monitorees (individuals subject to a Voluntary Monitoring Agreement (VMA)).

Treatment may include the development of treatment or care plans and tracking outcomes and progress. If the Clinician is not a good fit for a particular client or there is a conflict of interest or other obstacle, the Clinician and MAP will refer the client to an outside therapist.

Monitoring

The Clinician may provide monitoring services for MAP monitorees, including, but not limited to: drafting VMAs; regular check-ins with monitorees; ensuring compliance with the terms of the VMA such as treatment plans or therapy; and liaising with involved disciplinary entities (if applicable). The Clinician shall not monitor an individual to whom they provide therapy.

Planning

The Clinician will work with the Executive Director to further develop and refine MAP’s delivery of services to the Maine legal community in the most efficient and holistic manner feasible.

Crisis response

In rare cases, the Executive Director may consult with the Clinician about ensuring health and safety in the event of perceived imminent bodily harm or an equivalent crisis.

Required skills, credentials, and experience

Master’s or Doctoral degree in counseling, psychology, or social work.
Ability to maintain highest degree of confidentiality, discretion, and ethical standards.
Experience treating individuals with mental illness, mental health challenges, and substance use disorder, including familiarity with the DSM-5.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to travel throughout the state of Maine as needed, in private, insured vehicle or other means of transportation. Travel expenses and mileage will be reimbursed by MAP.
Attend educational conferences and maintain professional credentials.

Desirable credentials, skills, and experience

Juris doctor from accredited institution or other experience with legal professionals.
Familiarity with the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct, Code of Judicial Conduct, and Bar Rules.
Experience treating legal or medical professionals.
Lived or family/personal experience with recovery from substance use disorder.
Regular supervision hours with another clinician and/or participation in a peer supervisory group. Supervisory expenses will be reimbursed by MAP.

Please submit resume and cover letter, or direct any inquiries, to:

Julia Teitel, Esq.

Executive Director, MAP

maineassistanceprogram@gmail.com

Who we are

The Maine Assistance Program for Lawyers and Judges (MAP) is a free service for all members of the Maine bench and bar, as well as law students and bar applicants. MAP provides confidential assistance to help individuals and their supporters identify and address problems with substance abuse, mental health challenges, and aging and cognition issues. By facilitating early intervention and treatment, MAP helps to protect the public from harm that might otherwise be caused by impaired members of the legal profession.

Background

Attorneys suffer from substance abuse and depression at a rate almost twice that of the population in general. During the course of your practice, it is likely that you or someone you know will be affected by these or another debilitating condition. Should that occur, please contact MAP.

The Maine Assistance Program for Lawyers and Judges (MAP) was created in 2002 by rule of the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine for the purpose of providing confidential assistance to Maine lawyers and judges to help them identify and address problems with alcoholism, other substance use disorders, or mental health disorders (including those caused by aging) that impair the ability of a lawyer or judge to practice or serve.

MAP is an independent 501(c)(3) corporation and is not affiliated with the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar or any other professional disciplinary authority. All communications and actions taken by MAP with its clients and referents are held in the strictest confidence and will not be reported to any other individual or entity outside of MAP, including any professional disciplinary agency, without the client’s permission. The identity of any individual who contacts MAP about a fellow professional will likewise remain confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone.

In August 2009, the Maine Code of Professional Responsibility was replaced by the Rules of Professional Conduct. The new rules include a significant change regarding the duty of an attorney to report to the Board of Overseers of the Bar another lawyer whose breach of professional rules raises a substantial question as to that lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or professional fitness. Rule 8.3 of the Rules of Professional Conduct provides that, in appropriate cases, a lawyer may fulfill his or her obligation to report the attorney in question by contacting MAP rather than the Board of Overseers of the Bar.

You are not alone. If you, a family member, friend, or colleague is in trouble, seeking professional help will make a difference. Making the call is the first step. We will help you take it from there.

See MAP testimonials here.