In a groundbreaking and deeply moving webinar, attorney Martin Shenkman and licensed professional counselor Amanda Koplin bring urgent attention to a topic too often left unspoken in the advisory professions: the mental health of the advisers themselves.
While wealth advisors, attorneys, CPAs, and financial professionals are frequently trained to prioritize the needs of their clients, this program flips the lens inward, asking a powerful question—who is looking after the mental well-being of the professionals?
A Culture of Achievement… and Exhaustion
From the outset, Amanda highlights a truth that resonates across the industry: professional advisers operate in what she calls a “Superman culture,” where vulnerability is discouraged and grit is glorified. Whether it’s pressure to meet billable hours, secure new clients, or stay on top of an ever-changing regulatory landscape, the demands are relentless.
Key statistics presented in the webinar are sobering:
- Over 75% of professionals report that their work environment has directly contributed to their mental health challenges.
- Lawyers, CPAs, and financial advisors rank among the professions with the highest rates of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
- Disturbingly, even when professionals report feeling “fine,” deeper psychological assessments often reveal much higher rates of distress—symptoms that they may not even recognize in themselves.
The Human Cost Behind Professional Masks
What makes this program so compelling isn’t just the data, but the real human stories behind it. Amanda recounts the tragic story of Ken Jamison, a respected lawyer who died by suicide after a long, private battle with depression. Despite seeking help, staying physically active, and trying every recommended intervention, Ken’s stress and self perception as a “fixer” ultimately overwhelmed him.
“Too often,” Amanda notes, “people believe removing themselves from the equation is the only way to fix the problem—especially when they see themselves as the problem.”
The emotional weight of this story is echoed by a series of other accounts—from young professionals who felt they couldn’t keep up, to older advisers still pushing themselves to exhaustion without realizing the toll.
Masking, Perfectionism, and the Culture of Silence
The webinar also dives into the common personality traits among high-achieving professionals: perfectionism, competitiveness, high self-criticism. These qualities, while often contributing to professional success, can become double-edged swords when coupled with a toxic work environment.
A particularly alarming insight comes from the concept of “masking”—where professionals perform at a high level outwardly, all while battling anxiety, depression, or substance abuse internally. Because their struggles are invisible, they are often overlooked—until it’s too late.
Psychological Safety Isn’t a Perk—It’s a Lifeline
A central takeaway from the presentation is the power of psychological safety in the workplace. It’s not expensive. It doesn’t require sweeping overhauls. But it does require a cultural shift.
Firms and team leaders can start by:
- Encouraging honest conversations without judgment or risk to professional standing.
- Creating spaces where mistakes can be acknowledged safely.
- Acknowledging emotional labor and providing genuine flexibility and wellness support—not just gym stipends or wellness apps.
As Amanda states, “Your actions will send the real message, not your words.”
Moving Toward a Healthier Future
Amanda and Marty close the webinar with a passionate call to action. Change must start with awareness—but it cannot end there. The industry must redefine success to include well-being, purpose, and sustainability—not just revenue and productivity.
“Whether you are Ken, Tabitha, or Betsy,” Amanda concludes, “you have the power to change the trajectory—your own, your colleagues’, and your firm’s.”
Resources and What’s Next
This webinar is just Part 1 of a two-part series. The second installment will feature a powerful interview with Ken Jamison’s widow, Betsy, offering a heartfelt, first-hand perspective on the consequences of silence and the importance of compassion.
To access mental health support, or for help in starting conversations within your firm, you are encouraged to reach out to Amanda Koplin directly or explore the growing network of professional mental health resources tailored to legal, accounting, and financial communities.