CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en-US"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <link rel="profile" href="http://gmpg.org/xfn/11"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin> <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Zen+Kaku+Gothic+Antique:wght@300;400;500;700;900&display=swap" rel="stylesheet"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/6.4.2/css/all.min.css"> <meta name='robots' content='index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1' /> <style>img:is([sizes="auto" i], [sizes^="auto," i]) { contain-intrinsic-size: 3000px 1500px }</style>  <title>History | NC LAP</title> <meta name="description" content="From its roots as a purely volunteer-run, member-based organization in the 1970’s, NC LAP has evolved into a full-service mental health and addictions counseling, treatment placement, and support group facilitation." /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.nclap.org/history/" /> <meta property="og:locale" content="en_US" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:title" content="History | NC LAP" /> <meta property="og:description" content="From its roots as a purely volunteer-run, member-based organization in the 1970’s, NC LAP has evolved into a full-service mental health and addictions counseling, treatment placement, and support group facilitation." /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.nclap.org/history/" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="NC LAP" /> <meta property="article:publisher" content="https://www.facebook.com/nc.lawyerassistanceprogram" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2024-11-20T14:53:51+00:00" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@NCLAPtweets" /> <script type="application/ld+json" class="yoast-schema-graph">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.nclap.org/history/","url":"https://www.nclap.org/history/","name":"History | NC LAP","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.nclap.org/#website"},"datePublished":"2024-05-31T20:06:44+00:00","dateModified":"2024-11-20T14:53:51+00:00","description":"From its roots as a purely volunteer-run, member-based organization in the 1970’s, NC LAP has evolved into a full-service mental health and addictions counseling, treatment placement, and support group facilitation.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.nclap.org/history/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://www.nclap.org/history/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.nclap.org/history/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.nclap.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"History"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://www.nclap.org/#website","url":"https://www.nclap.org/","name":"NC Lap","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.nclap.org/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https://www.nclap.org/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.nclap.org/#organization","name":"NC Lap","url":"https://www.nclap.org/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https://www.nclap.org/#/schema/logo/image/","url":"https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/favicon.png","contentUrl":"https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/favicon.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"NC Lap"},"image":{"@id":"https://www.nclap.org/#/schema/logo/image/"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/nc.lawyerassistanceprogram","https://x.com/NCLAPtweets"]}]}</script>  <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="NC LAP » Feed" href="https://www.nclap.org/feed/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="NC LAP » Comments Feed" href="https://www.nclap.org/comments/feed/" /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='formidable-css' href='https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/plugins/formidable/css/formidableforms.css?ver=2211419' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-block-library-css' href='https://www.nclap.org/wp-includes/css/dist/block-library/style.min.css?ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <style id='safe-svg-svg-icon-style-inline-css' type='text/css'> .safe-svg-cover{text-align:center}.safe-svg-cover .safe-svg-inside{display:inline-block;max-width:100%}.safe-svg-cover svg{height:100%;max-height:100%;max-width:100%;width:100%} </style> <style id='classic-theme-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> /*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} </style> <style id='global-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> :root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square: 1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3: 4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4: 3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2: 3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3: 2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9: 16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16: 9/16;--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;} :where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;} :where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;} :root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size: 1.5em;line-height: 1.6;} </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='cfmsync-shortcode-css' href='https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/plugins/captivatesync-trade/captivate-sync-assets/css/shortcode-min.css?ver=2.0.26' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='wdc_starter-style-css' href='https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/themes/nclaporg/style.css?ver=6.7.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.nclap.org/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.min.js?ver=3.7.1" id="jquery-core-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.nclap.org/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery-migrate.min.js?ver=3.4.1" id="jquery-migrate-js"></script> <link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://www.nclap.org/wp-json/" /><link rel="alternate" title="JSON" type="application/json" href="https://www.nclap.org/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/496" /><link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (JSON)" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://www.nclap.org/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nclap.org%2Fhistory%2F" /> <link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (XML)" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://www.nclap.org/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nclap.org%2Fhistory%2F&format=xml" /> <script>document.documentElement.className += " js";</script> <link rel="icon" href="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/cropped-favicon-32x32.png" sizes="32x32" /> <link rel="icon" href="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/cropped-favicon-192x192.png" sizes="192x192" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/cropped-favicon-180x180.png" /> <meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/cropped-favicon-270x270.png" />  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-BB461J3057"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-BB461J3057'); </script>  </head> <body class="page-template-default page page-id-496"> <div class="wrapper standard-layout"> <div class="topbar"> <div class="container"> <ul class="list-inline topbar-list"> <li class="topbar-list-item"><a href="https://www.nclap.org/volunteer/" class="topbar-list-link" title="Volunteer">Volunteer</a></li> <li class="topbar-list-item"><a href="https://www.nclap.org/confidentiality/" class="topbar-list-link" title="Confidentiality">Confidentiality</a></li> <li class="topbar-list-item"><a href="https://www.nclap.org/contact/" class="topbar-list-link" title="Contact Us">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <header class="header"> <div class="container"> <a href="https://www.nclap.org/" title="NC LAP" rel="home" class="header-logo"> <img width="235" height="87" src="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/logo.svg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="NC LAP logo" decoding="async" /> </a> <button class="nav-toggle" aria-controls="main-menu" aria-expanded="false"> <div class="icon-bar-span"> <div class="button-text">MENU</div> <span class="icon-bar" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="icon-bar" aria-hidden="true"></span> </div> </button> <nav class="nav" id="site-nav" itemscope itemtype="http://www.schema.org/SiteNavigationElement"> <button class="nav-close" title="Close Menu">×</button> <ul id="main-menu" class="inline-nav" role="menu"><li id="menu-item-400" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-400 inline-nav-item dropdown" itemprop="name"><a title="Who We Help" role="menuitem" class="inline-nav-link dropdown-toggle" href="#" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" tabindex="0">Who We Help </a> <ul role="menu" class="nav-dropdown"> <li id="menu-item-460" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-460 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Lawyers" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/lawyers/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Lawyers</a></li> <li id="menu-item-468" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-468 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Judges" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/judges/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Judges</a></li> <li id="menu-item-704" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-704 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Families" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/families/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Families</a></li> <li id="menu-item-471" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-471 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Law Students" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/law-students/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Law Students</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-401" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-401 inline-nav-item dropdown" itemprop="name"><a title="What We Help With" role="menuitem" class="inline-nav-link dropdown-toggle" href="#" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" tabindex="0">What We Help With </a> <ul role="menu" class="nav-dropdown"> <li id="menu-item-669" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-669 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Alcohol or Drug Problems" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/what-we-help-with/alcohol-or-drug-problems/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Alcohol or Drug Problems</a></li> <li id="menu-item-610" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-610 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Anger Management" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/what-we-help-with/anger-management/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Anger Management</a></li> <li id="menu-item-440" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-440 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Anxiety" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/what-we-help-with/anxiety/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Anxiety</a></li> <li id="menu-item-611" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-611 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Compassion Fatigue" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/what-we-help-with/compassion-fatigue/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Compassion Fatigue</a></li> <li id="menu-item-612" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-612 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Depression & Suicide" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/what-we-help-with/depression-suicide/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Depression & Suicide</a></li> <li id="menu-item-613" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-613 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Grief & Loss" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/what-we-help-with/grief-loss/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Grief & Loss</a></li> <li id="menu-item-614" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-614 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Over Functioning" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/what-we-help-with/over-functioning/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Over Functioning</a></li> <li id="menu-item-615" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-615 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Process Addictions" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/what-we-help-with/process-addictions/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Process Addictions</a></li> <li id="menu-item-685" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-685 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Stress & Burnout" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/what-we-help-with/stress-burnout/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Stress & Burnout</a></li> <li id="menu-item-616" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-616 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Trauma" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/what-we-help-with/trauma/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Trauma</a></li> <li id="menu-item-697" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-697 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Well-Being" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/what-we-help-with/well-being/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Well-Being</a></li> <li id="menu-item-439" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-439 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="View All" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/what-we-help-with/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">View All</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-508" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-508 inline-nav-item dropdown" itemprop="name"><a title="How We Help" role="menuitem" class="inline-nav-link dropdown-toggle" href="#" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" tabindex="0">How We Help </a> <ul role="menu" class="nav-dropdown"> <li id="menu-item-509" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-509 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Services" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/services/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Services</a></li> <li id="menu-item-521" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-521 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Guidance for Law Firms" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/guidance-for-law-firms/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Guidance for Law Firms</a></li> <li id="menu-item-618" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-618 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Continuing Legal Education" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/continuing-legal-education/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Continuing Legal Education</a></li> <li id="menu-item-789" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-789 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Support Groups" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/support-groups/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Support Groups</a></li> <li id="menu-item-3860" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3860 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Crisis Event" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/crisis-event/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Crisis Event</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-431" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom current-menu-ancestor current-menu-parent menu-item-has-children menu-item-431 inline-nav-item dropdown" itemprop="name"><a title="About" role="menuitem" class="inline-nav-link dropdown-toggle" href="#" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" tabindex="0">About </a> <ul role="menu" class="nav-dropdown"> <li id="menu-item-531" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-531 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Annual Report" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/annual-report/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Annual Report</a></li> <li id="menu-item-480" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-480 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Mission Statement" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/mission/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Mission Statement</a></li> <li id="menu-item-502" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page current-menu-item page_item page-item-496 current_page_item menu-item-502 nav-dropdown-item active" itemprop="name"><a title="History" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/history/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">History</a></li> <li id="menu-item-715" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-715 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Staff" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/staff/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Staff</a></li> <li id="menu-item-492" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-492 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="FAQs" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/faqs/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">FAQs</a></li> <li id="menu-item-430" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-430 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Our Board" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/nc-lap-board/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Our Board</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-535" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-535 inline-nav-item dropdown" itemprop="name"><a title="Resources" role="menuitem" class="inline-nav-link dropdown-toggle" href="#" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" tabindex="0">Resources </a> <ul role="menu" class="nav-dropdown"> <li id="menu-item-534" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-534 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Articles" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/articles/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Articles</a></li> <li id="menu-item-3858" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3858 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Crisis Event" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/crisis-event/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Crisis Event</a></li> <li id="menu-item-3795" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3795 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Podcast" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/podcast-sidebar/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Podcast</a></li> <li id="menu-item-3831" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3831 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Sidebar" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/sidebar-page/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Sidebar</a></li> <li id="menu-item-787" role="none" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-787 nav-dropdown-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Research" role="menuitem" class="nav-dropdown-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/research/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Research</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-528" role="none" class="mobile-only menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-528 inline-nav-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Volunteer" role="menuitem" class="inline-nav-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/volunteer/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Volunteer</a></li> <li id="menu-item-461" role="none" class="mobile-only menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-461 inline-nav-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Confidentiality" role="menuitem" class="inline-nav-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/confidentiality/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Confidentiality</a></li> <li id="menu-item-399" role="none" class="mobile-only menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-399 inline-nav-item" itemprop="name"><a title="Contact" role="menuitem" class="inline-nav-link" href="https://www.nclap.org/contact/" itemprop="url" tabindex="0">Contact</a></li> </ul> </nav> </div> </header> <main class="main"> <section class="hero interior with-image"> <div class="container"> <div class="hero-content"> <h1 class="page-title">History</h1><p>From its roots as a purely volunteer-run, member-based organization in the 1970’s, NC LAP has evolved into a fully staffed, full-service clinical model program with duly-licensed counselors specializing in mental health and addictions counseling, treatment placement, and support group facilitation.</p> </div> </div> <div class="hero-image"><img width="2560" height="508" src="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-hero@2x-scaled.webp" class="attachment-full size-full" alt="" loading="eager" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-hero@2x-scaled.webp 2560w, https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-hero@2x-300x60.webp 300w, https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-hero@2x-1170x232.webp 1170w, https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-hero@2x-768x153.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></div></section> <div class="main-content history clearfix"> <div class="section-components"> <section class="section content-section"> <div class="is-grid content-grid image-right"> <div class="content-grid-column content-flow"> <h2 class="section-title">Early Days</h2> <div class="content-flow"><p>The North Carolina Lawyer Assistance Program’s (“NC LAP”) roots began in 1979 with the assemblage of a group of lawyer volunteers who were themselves recovering alcoholics who saw the need to offer assistance to other lawyers suffering from addiction and alcoholism. The group was named the Positive Action for Lawyers (“PALS”) Committee. In 1994, the State Bar formally recognized the PALS Committee and incorporated PALS as part of the State Bar administration and infrastructure and installed the first full-time Executive Director, Don Carroll.</p> </div> </div> <div class="content-grid-media"><img width="768" height="512" src="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-1@2x-768x512.webp" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-1@2x-768x512.webp 768w, https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-1@2x-300x200.webp 300w, https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-1@2x.webp 1110w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></div> </div> </section> <section class="section content-section pad-top-zero"> <div class="is-grid content-grid image-left"> <div class="content-grid-column content-flow"> <h2 class="section-title">Expanded Focus, Mission, and Staff</h2> <div class="content-flow"><p>In 1999, after a series of lawyer suicides, recognizing the need for assistance for lawyers dealing with mental health issues not related to substance abuse, the State Bar sought to expand the focus and mission. However, the PALS brand was closely associated with alcohol problems. So, the State Bar formed a new FRIENDS Committee to focus on depression, anxiety, stress management and suicide prevention. PALS and FRIENDS were housed under the same umbrella department of the Bar, all managed by the Executive Director. Demand for services grew as the total number of licensed lawyers grew. Additional staff were hired (approximately 1 new staff position every 6 years) to meet the growing need. NC LAP has helped approximately 15% of licensed lawyers since its inception.</p> </div> </div> <div class="content-grid-media"><img width="768" height="512" src="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-2@2x-768x512.webp" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-2@2x-768x512.webp 768w, https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-2@2x-300x200.webp 300w, https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-2@2x.webp 1110w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></div> </div> </section> <section class="section content-section pad-top-zero"> <div class="is-grid content-grid image-right"> <div class="content-grid-column content-flow"> <h2 class="section-title">Consolidation and Rebranding</h2> <div class="content-flow"><p>In 2011, we merged PALS and FRIENDS and rebranded the program and committees with a new logo into a single Lawyer Assistance Program (“LAP”). However, nothing changed operationally. In 2016, the ABA CoLAP and Hazelden Foundation conducted and released a study documenting the prevalence of impairment in the legal profession. In response to that study, the ABA Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being published, <em>The Path to Lawyer Well-Being: Practical Recommendations for Positive Change</em> in 2017. Momentum grew, igniting the rise of the lawyer well-being movement. NC LAP’s mission and messaging have remained consistent throughout this national and global transformation.</p> </div> </div> <div class="content-grid-media"><img width="768" height="512" src="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-3@2x-768x512.webp" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-3@2x-768x512.webp 768w, https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-3@2x-300x200.webp 300w, https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-3@2x.webp 1110w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></div> </div> </section> <section class="section content-section pad-top-zero"> <div class="is-grid content-grid image-left"> <div class="content-grid-column content-flow"> <h2 class="section-title">Staffing, Volunteers and Board</h2> <div class="content-flow"><p>NC LAP currently has an executive director, an assistant director, two clinicians (duly licensed in mental health and addictions), and two office administration and special projects personnel. LAP’s peer-support roots remain strong, and we still have a cadre of dedicated, trained lawyer and judge volunteers, located throughout the state, who are actively involved in assisting and supporting lawyers and judges whenever and wherever needed. LAP’s board is comprised of three State Bar councilors, three LAP volunteers, and three clinicians or experts in the field of mental health and addiction. NC LAP also has a steering committee of volunteers from around the state who assist in the execution of special initiatives.</p> </div> </div> <div class="content-grid-media"><img width="768" height="512" src="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-4@2x-768x512.webp" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-4@2x-768x512.webp 768w, https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-4@2x-300x200.webp 300w, https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-4@2x.webp 1110w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></div> </div> </section> <section class="section content-section pad-top-zero"> <div class="is-grid content-grid image-right"> <div class="content-grid-column content-flow"> <h2 class="section-title">National Involvement</h2> <div class="content-flow"><p>NC LAP is part of the <a href="https://www.americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABA’s Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs</a> (“CoLAP”), a network of LAPs serving nearly all 50 states in the U.S. CoLAP evolved from what used to be known as the Commission on Impaired Attorneys, which helped fuel a national movement to establish formal lawyer assistance programs in each state across the nation in the early 90’s.</p> </div> </div> <div class="content-grid-media"><img width="768" height="512" src="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-5@2x-768x512.webp" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-5@2x-768x512.webp 768w, https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-5@2x-300x200.webp 300w, https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-5@2x.webp 1110w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </main> <footer class="footer"> <section class="section cta-section section-light-alt"> <div class="container text-center"> <h2 class="section-title">Get in Touch</h2> <div class="content-flow"><p>Ready to get started or simply have some questions? Reach out to the LAP Counselor who covers your area. Office hours are M-F (9:00-5:00) and in-person consultations are by appointment only. All communications with LAP staff are strictly confidential.</p> </div> <div class="section-ctas"> <a href="https://www.nclap.org/contact/" class="button" title="Contact Us">Contact Us</a> </div> </div> </section> <section class="section footer-notice"> <div class="container"> <p>If you are having a mental health crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself or others, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.</p> <p>Dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or visit the <a title="988lifeline - opens in new tab" href="https://988lifeline.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">988lifeline.org</a> website. Available 24/7.</p> </div> </section> <div class="footer-top"> <div class="container text-center"> <div class="footer-logo"> <img width="192" height="82" src="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/logo-footer.svg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" /> </div> <div class="footer-info"> <p class="footer-statement">Safe. Free. Confidential.</p> <ul class="list-inline footer-links"> <li> <a href="https://www.nclap.org/accessibility/" title="Accessibility">Accessibility</a> </li> </ul> </div> <ul class="list-inline footer-social-list"> <li><a href=" https://www.facebook.com/nc.lawyerassistanceprogram" class="social-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="Follow Us on facebook" aria-label="Social media link to our facebook account"><i class="fab fa-facebook"></i></a></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/NCLAPtweets" class="social-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="Follow Us on x-twitter" aria-label="Social media link to our x-twitter account"><i class="fab fa-x-twitter"></i></a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/nc-lap" class="social-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="Follow Us on linkedin" aria-label="Social media link to our linkedin account"><i class="fab fa-linkedin"></i></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="footer-bottom"> <div class="container"> <div class="copyright"> Copyright © 2025 NC LAP. All Rights Reserved. <a href="https://www.wilmingtondesignco.com/web-design" title="Websites built for business - opens in new tab" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Website Design</a> and <a href="https://www.wilmingtondesignco.com/digital-marketing-agency" title="Reach new customers & grow your business - opens in new tab" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Digital Marketing</a> by <a href="http://www.wilmingtondesignco.com" title="We're a Digital Marketing and Web Design Agency - opens in new tab" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/themes/nclaporg/images/wdc-logo-light.svg" class="wdc-badge" alt="Wilmington Design Co." loading="lazy"></a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mobile-check"></div> </footer><script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/plugins/captivatesync-trade/captivate-sync-assets/js/player-api-min.js?ver=2.0.26" id="cfmsync-player-api-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/themes/nclaporg/includes/js/production.min.js?ver=6.7.1" id="wdc_starter-modernizrjs-js"></script> </div> </body> </html>