Work with a physician

who gets what you're

going through.

One-on-one and group confidential coaching and support for doctors and other clinicians in litigation, in the wake of adverse events, or in the throes of burnout.

“Dr. Pensa helped me work through the emotional distress of being a defendant and I now feel confident to defend myself and my medicine...

I have been able to return to work, practice medicine confidently and embrace my family without having the emotional baggage of litigation constantly hanging over my head, all thanks to Dr. Pensa.”

— P.E., Malpractice Litigation Defendant, 2024

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“I make no bones about being emotionally and psychologically rattled. Dr. Pensa was phenomenal in her words of wisdom. One of the biggest contributions from Dr. Pensa was to instill me with confidence and clarity in my approach, and I took this message to heart and it reflected in my testimony at trial, my cross examination and through the entire one month grueling trial I went through. But in the end it was a defense verdict, one of the best things that happened to me in 2022!”

— S.P., MD, After Prevailing at Trial, 2022

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Who I am:

You can learn more about my career and training here.
I have been practicing medicine for over twenty years, and am recognized as a pioneer in malpractice litigation stress coaching and support.
I have interviewed, coached or counseled hundreds of doctors during or after litigation, and I teach widely on the topic for residency programs, professional society conferences, CME companies, peer support groups, defense attorneys, and malpractice insurers.
I won a state professional society (ACEP) special award for “courageous advocacy of our physicians.”
I created the original podcast curriculum, ‘Doctors and Litigation: The L Word,’ working with physician defendants, psychologists, psychiatrists, and defense attorneys. This free resource is used in medical schools, insurance company support toolkits, residency programs, professional society resources, and even as a course assignment in health care leadership graduate courses.
I personally successfully defended a lengthy malpractice case with a multi-million dollar demand and two jury trials.
- I understand the complex stressors involved
- I understand the barriers to seeking and receiving support, and the critical need for confidentiality
- I know the skill set and mindset required to perform your best as a defendant
- I will partner with your attorney on request
I also help attorneys, health care organizations and insurers better understand litigation stress, and create trustworthy and effective support programs for physicians.

What you can gain:

Insight into the truth about the litigation process and your role in it
Techniques to manage litigation stress at work and at home
Understanding and managing feelings of anxiety, grief, anger, frustration, overwhelm, or shame
Ways to reframe your thoughts around litigation
Improved deposition and trial performance (a healthier defendant is a stronger defendant)
Tips on better communication and maintaining relationships with partners and family

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is NOT a substitute for legal advice from your attorney, nor is it medical advice or therapy. We will limit the discussion of the medical details of any active cases. Contact me to discuss any questions you have about ways to receive coaching support without compromising your case.