Jumpseat Therapy

Take back control of your career with evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral mindfulness skills adapted for the unique Flight Attendant lifestyle. In this workbook you will be able to:  

- Remember why you became a flight attendant.  

- Discover what's important to you.   

- Understand how we see the world.  

- Communicate effectively on and off the plane.  

- Effectively handle stress.  

- And more!

Being a flight attendant is not just about the career, but the lifestyle. A job that allows them to see the world, stay in fancy hotels, and have experiences usually reserved for the rich and famous. They are trained to adapt to any situation and respond professionally while under pressure. This career also comes with considerable challenges such as irregular schedules, interpersonal conflicts, and relationship difficulties. Those outside the aviation industry may have a hard time understanding these concerns. Many flight attendants turn to their colleagues for guidance in what is known as Jumpseat Therapy.

This workbook takes evidenced-based mindfulness and cognitive behavioral techniques and adapts them to the unique challenges and opportunities flight attendants face on each flight. Written by a former aviation professional-turned psychotherapist, Jumpseat Therapy is designed to help you remember why you chose this career, manage burnout, handle relationship difficulties, tolerate distressing moments, and help you fall back in love with flying.

Brian Pelletier, LPC, NCC is a former aviation professional-turned psychotherapist. He began his aviation career as a flight attendant at ExpressJet and eventually became a ground instructor. Later, he worked as a French speaking flight attendant for Delta Air Lines, based in NYC and DTW. After a workplace injury, he transitioned to the network operations center for United as a Pilot Scheduler focusing crew coordination and rerouting.

As a therapist, Brian is a NBCC Board-Certified Licensed Professional Counselor. He earned a master's degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from Roosevelt University in Chicago. He has worked in community, academic, high-acuity, and group practice settings. He specializes in Cognitive Behavioral approaches with a focus on mindfulness, acceptance, and radical openness. He is currently practicing at Light On Anxiety CBT Treatment Centers in Chicago.

Brian was inspired by his own relationship with burnout while working in the aviation industry. He believes crewmembers experience a unique lifestyle that can be difficult for others to conceptualize.