Staying Sane in Law

The Family Barrister - Frances Harris on life at the bar, family court and neurodiversity

Staying Sane in Law

Show Notes

In this episode, join Annmarie Carvalho - the lawyers' therapist - in conversation with Frances Harris, a barrister at Harcourt Chambers and a specialist in family law and neurodiversity. In this lively chat, they discuss Frances' unconventional journey to the bar, go behind the scenes of the family courts in the UK, and discuss her work with FLANC: Family Law Advice for the Neurodivergent Community, a UK-based organisation founded in 2024 by expert lawyers to ensure equal access to justice f...

More from Staying Sane in Law

Oct 12, 2026

In this opening show of Season 3, Annmarie Carvalho - the Lawyer's Therapist - is joined by Pat Thom, the past president of the Law Society of Scotland. In this lively and very personal show, Pat talks about her move from Canada to Scotland, juggling her successful legal career, parenthood, and the sudden loss of her husband Jim. She also talks about her new career direction, her work in safeguarding and promoting the role of lawyers and the law as vital parts of community life. From emigrati...

Sep 28, 2026

In this special feature-length show, Annmarie Carvalho - The Lawyers' Therapist - meets Mark Evans, President of the Law Society of Wales and England, for a lively and personal chat about his journey from school in Wales to his current position in the UK's Legal landscape. Mark talks very openly about his life, his career and his personal journey into the work he's championing to improve the wellbeing and mental health of the legal profession. Plus, we learn about his secret role as Fath...

Sep 14, 2026

In this show, Annmarie Carvalho - the Lawyers' Therapist - is joined by Lenka Wall, a specialist education lawyer at Russel Cooke. Lenka has a wealth of lived experience as the parent of a child with special educational needs and neurodiversity, and along with Annmarie and producer Andrew (who are both parents of neurodiverse kids), they share the highs and lows of parenting and the challenges of dealing with schools, reasonable adjustments and the need for support. If you would like to know ...

Sep 1, 2026

In this show Annemarie Carvalho - The Lawyers' Therapist meets James McFarlane, in-house lawyer at NatWest, men's mental health advocate and popular musician on the Scottish music scene. James talks about his journey into the law from his roots in Glasgow's East End, and his subsequent mission to create safe spaces where lawyers can talk about - and find help - with mental health issues, addictions and stress. The Men's Wellbeing group is now celebrating its fourth birthday and going from str...

Aug 17, 2026

In this show, Annmarie Carvalho - The Lawyers Therapist - is in conversation with trauma-informed therapist and TCC colleague Katie McKenna. Katie takes us on a personal journey through her time as a personal injury lawyer, her work at the Lawscot Wellbeing programme, and her career change to become a trauma-informed therapist who specialises in the vicarious trauma that affects lawyers who handle emotionally challenging material - and how to deal with it.

See all episodes →