Free. Confidential. Here to help.
The D.C. Bar Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) provides FREE and CONFIDENTIAL support to D.C. Bar members, judges, and law students in the District who are dealing with life stress, mental health concerns, alcohol or drug use, family-related concerns, job dissatisfaction, professional stress, and other challenges.
You do not need to be in crisis to contact LAP. Many people reach out because they are overwhelmed, unsure where to turn, concerned about someone else, or ready to talk through what kind of support may be helpful.
LAP is not an emergency response service. If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You may also chat online with 988 Crisis Services.
For a medical or life-threatening emergency, call 911.
To speak with an LAP counselor, please contact us:
Confidential phone: 202-347-3131
Email: [email protected]
Mailing address:
District of Columbia Bar
Lawyer Assistance Program
901 4th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
When you contact LAP, a member of the team can talk with you about your situation, answer questions about available services, and help identify possible next steps. Conversations with LAP are confidential, with limited exceptions.
What Happens When You Reach Out
Reaching out to LAP is a first step, not a commitment to any particular service. LAP staff can help you think through what you are experiencing and whether LAP, a support group, an outside provider, or another resource may be helpful.
Depending on your needs, LAP may provide:
- A confidential consultation
- An evaluation with a licensed mental health professional
- Short-term counseling
- Referrals to outside providers, treatment centers, or support groups
- Peer support connections
- Support for family members, colleagues, employers, or others concerned about someone in the legal community
- Information about LAP support groups, programs, and resources
You do not need to know exactly what kind of help you need before contacting LAP.
Meet the LAP Team
LAP is staffed by licensed mental health professionals with experience supporting members of the legal community. The team includes an associate director, senior counselors, and an outreach and education coordinator. LAP staff are also supported by the Lawyer Assistance Committee and trained volunteers.
Denise J. Perme, LICSW
Associate Director
Denise J. Perme has more than 25 years of experience in counseling and mental health, with a focus on mental health and substance use disorders. She has supervised clinical staff and managed the D.C. Bar Lawyer Assistance Program since 2006.
Denise has a B.A. in Psychology and an MSW from the University of Maryland School of Social Work, with a concentration in Occupational Social Work. She is licensed to practice clinical social work in Maryland and the District of Columbia.
In addition to her clinical and program leadership experience, Denise has presented a wide range of trainings and educational seminars for public- and private-sector audiences through LAP and two national employee assistance program providers.
Niki L. Irish, LICSW
Outreach & Education Coordinator
Niki L. Irish has more than 15 years of experience in the mental health field, with a focus on well-being and addiction. For more than 10 years, she served as a senior counselor for LAP, providing lawyers and law students with addiction and mental health assessments, counseling, consultation, and psychoeducation.
Niki now serves as LAP's outreach and education coordinator, providing trainings and educational seminars to law schools, legal employers, voluntary bar associations, and other legal organizations.
She has a B.S. in Psychology and Family Studies and an MSW from the University of Maryland School of Social Work, with a concentration in Employee Assistance Programs. She is licensed to practice clinical social work in the District of Columbia.
Sharon Greenbaum, LICSW
Senior Counselor
Sharon Greenbaum provides lawyers and law students with addiction and mental health assessments, counseling, consultation, and psychoeducation. She has more than 10 years of experience in counseling and mental health.
Sharon has a B.A. in Psychology and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from The George Washington University and an MSW from The Catholic University of America. She is licensed to practice clinical social work in the District of Columbia and Virginia.
Jessie Joachim, LPC, LCPC
Senior Counselor
Jessie Joachim provides lawyers and law students with addiction and mental health assessments, counseling, consultation, and psychoeducation. She has more than 10 years of counseling experience, with a focus on mental health, resilience, and substance use disorders.
Jessie has a B.A. in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Community Counseling, with a concentration in Employee Assistance Counseling from Argosy University. She is licensed to practice professional counseling in the District of Columbia and Maryland.
Lawyer Assistance Programs Nationwide
Nearly every bar in the country has a lawyer assistance program. These programs provide support for lawyers, judges, and law students facing mental health, substance use, stress, and other well-being concerns.
For additional lawyer assistance programs, visit the ABA Directory of State Lawyer Assistance Programs.
Nearby lawyer assistance programs include:
Not Sure Whether to Contact LAP?
It is okay to reach out even if you are not sure LAP is the right resource. LAP staff can listen, answer questions, and help you decide what next step may make sense.
LAP is free, confidential, and available to help.
