Confidential Attorney Support & Wellness

Being a lawyer is a high-stress job. Our focus is always on the client’s problems and the “to do” list is ever growing. However, in addition to serving our clients, we must also pay attention to our own mental, emotional, and physical health. There are many available resources to assist attorneys in doing just that.

Rhode Island Bar Association members and their dependents may receive free and confidential help, information, assessment and referral for personal concerns through the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Program. Services are available through the Association’s contract with SupportLinc (previously known as CorpCare), the Bar’s lawyer assistance program, and through the members of the Rhode Island Bar Association’s Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee. To discuss your concerns or those you may have about a colleague, you may call SupportLinc or contact a Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee member or use both resources.

SupportLinc Helpline
SupportLinc is a consulting service contracted by the Association to assist you at no charge. They provide health counselors to work with you to address your concerns. The professionals at SupportLinc provide confidential consultation for a wide range of personal concerns including (but not limited to): balancing work and family, depression, anxiety, domestic violence, aging, grief, career satisfaction, alcohol and substance abuse, and problem gambling.

Everyone occasionally experiences problems. The SupportLinc helpline provides counseling resources that quickly and professionally assist you in handling problems affecting your personal or work life. Why allow problems to weigh you down? Completely confidential help is just a call away. Counselors answer the phone 24/7 to provide immediate support and assistance. Simply pick up the telephone and call 866-482-8378 for confidential, round the clock support. Virtual telehealth consultations with a counselor are available upon request.

What Services Does the SupportLinc Helpline Offer?

• Up to eight professional and confidential counseling sessions
• 24/7/365 availability of licensed counselors

Privacy and Anonymity Options

Accessing services through SupportLinc’s online portal or mobile app, or through BetterHelp, requires only minimal demographic information, such as a name and email address or phone number. If preferred, you can use a pseudonym or alternate email address when creating your profile.

Both SupportLinc and BetterHelp fully adhere to all privacy and confidentiality laws, and your information is protected under strict legal and ethical standards.

However, if you are concerned about sharing any identifying information at all, you can opt to call the SupportLinc helpline directly at 866-482-8378 for completely anonymous support.

To access SupportLinc's services online, members will need to create an account and enter the group code ribalap. Calling the helpline and using BetterHelp do not require creating an account.

Your Web Portal and Mobile App

Access a wide range of personalized mental health resources through SupportLinc’s intuitive web portal and mobile app:

• Create a personal profile to easily connect with licensed clinicians
• Complete the Mental Health Navigator assessment for instant, tailored guidance to care and support
• Get personalized care options based on your individual needs
• Exchange text messages with a Coach for on-demand support
• Join anonymous group support sessions on a variety of timely and relevant topics
• Strengthen your wellbeing at your own pace through self-guided digital therapy
• Explore resources like flash courses, self-assessments, financial tools, career support, tip sheets, articles, and video

Now Available: BetterHelp Integration through Real-Time Scheduling

SupportLinc has partnered with BetterHelp, the largest provider of virtual therapy, to expand your access to high-quality mental health care. Through the Real-Time Scheduler (RTS) in the portal and app, members can now connect with one of over 35,000 licensed mental health professionals via secure, flexible online sessions.

How It Works:

• Log in to SupportLinc via the web portal or mobile app.
• Use the Real-Time Scheduler to search for a provider using filters such as specialty, gender, language, and appointment availability.
• SupportLinc providers will appear first, followed by clearly labeled BetterHelp providers who meet your selected criteria.
• If you choose a BetterHelp provider, you’ll be redirected to the BetterHelp website to:
• Complete a brief onboarding questionnaire (fewer questions than their standard version)
• Register for a BetterHelp account
• Schedule virtual sessions and begin chatting with your provider via secure messaging

Quality You Can Trust:

• Stringent Credentialing: Only 25% of applicants are accepted into the BetterHelp network, all of whom hold advanced licensure and have at least 3 years and 1,000+ hours of clinical experience.
• Ongoing Oversight: SupportLinc’s clinical team monitors service quality across all providers, including BetterHelp, to ensure you receive the high standard of care you expect.
• Flexible Care Options: Choose from video, phone, or live chat sessions, with additional support available via asynchronous messaging.
• By combining SupportLinc’s trusted care model with BetterHelp’s expansive virtual network, your support options are more personalized, convenient, and accessible than ever.

Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee
Before or during your contact with a SupportLinc counselor, you may choose to seek peer assistance from a member of the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee. Peer attorneys lend an ear, share their experiences, and, if necessary, advise you on re-entering legal practice or accompany you to self-help meetings. Committee member attorneys have chosen this volunteer assignment because each has an understanding of impairments and a desire to help. 

Because of the sensitive nature of personal problems, attorneys in need are often reluctant to seek help. The Committee members have special knowledge to help their colleagues.  The program has a proven 25-year record of helping Rhode Island lawyers - confidentially and free of charge. We can help, but only if you contact us.  

When seeking assistance from a Committee member, your privacy and professional standing are protected by law. In 1991, the Rhode Island Supreme Court issued changes to the Rules of Professional Conduct, giving members of the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee immunity from suit, exception from the duty to disclose unprofessional conduct, and an obligation to confer with lawyers seeking help in confidence.

In 1995, the Supreme Court of Rhode Island authorized a disciplinary diversion program whereby some attorneys may seek treatment and avoid discipline if the attorney completes the prescribed program successfully. This program is run in conjunction with the Supreme Court Disciplinary Board.

Whatever the problem, you do not have to manage alone. Don't delay in calling while you are trying to decide whether things are bad enough. There is no need to risk your license, livelihood, reputation or family. You do not have to do it alone. If you, a friend or a colleague is in trouble, seeking professional help will make a difference. Once you have made the call, you have taken the first step. We will help you take it from there.

Please contact us for strictly confidential, free, peer and professional assistance for your personal challenges.

• Brian Adae, Esq. – (401) 831-3150
• Donna M. Arciero, Esq. – (401) 248-9928
• James G. Atchison, Esq. – (401) 737-6200
• Barbara A. Barrow, Esq. – (401) 846-0120
• Neville J. Bedford, Esq. – (401) 348-6723
• Randelle L. Boots, Esq. – (508) 272-3369
• Alex M. Carnevale, Esq. – (401) 274-4400 ext 1895
• Matthew A. Chappell, Esq. – (401) 683-6900
• Deanna Rae Charpentier – (917) 533-3519
• Anthony E. Conte, Esq. – (401) 744-2840
• Taylor L. Criscuolo, Esq. – (401) 270-0070
• Susan Leach DeBlasio, Esq. – (401) 274-7200
• Sonja L Deyoe, Esq. – (401) 864-5877
• Kathleen G. Di Muro, Esq. – (401) 944-3110
• Mary Cavanagh Dunn, Esq. – (401) 831-8900
• Christy B. Durant, Esq. – (401) 524-6971
• Jeffrey L. Eger, Esq. – (401) 921-2300
• Cassandra L. Feeney, Esq. – (401) 455-3800 (Co-Chair)
• Brian D. Fogarty, Esq. – (401) 821-9945
• Jenna Giguere, Esq. – (401) 451-9193
• Jaclyn Levesque, Esq. – (401) 490-4900
• Domenic Loffredo, Esq. – (401) 467-2300
• Nicholas Trott Long, Esq. – (401) 351-5070 (Co-Chair)
• Genevieve M. Martin, Esq. – (401) 595-3024
• Rachel McCaw-Navin, Esq. – (401) 453-0550
• Bruce W. McIntyre, Esq. – (401) 474-2145
• Jeffrey A. Mega, Esq. – (401) 272-1110
• Henry S. Monti, Esq. – (401) 467-1300
• Lauren E. Moore, Esq. – (401) 272-3500
• Sarah F. O’Toole, Esq. – (401) 415-9835
• Erica S. Pistorino, Esq. – (617) 650-6337
• Orla A. Power, Esq. – (401) 294-4700

All Contact is Completely Confidential

Additional Resources