In-house Employee Counselling Service from Wellbeing Partners

Wellbeing Partners’ in-house employee counselling service provides the fastest and most effective solution for supporting the individual mental health needs of your employees, in your workplace or online.

Companies and organisations across the UK are finding their EAP services unable to cope with demand, many private medical insurers with waiting lists of more than 3 months for accessing mental health services, and an NHS completely overwhelmed with millions of adults on waiting lists of 18 months or longer, even for acute mental health issues.

This perfect storm of growing mental health issues and burnout across society combined with a lack of provision from the usual mental health support services is leaving employees without the support they need.

Wellbeing Partners’ In-House Counselling services is an efficient, effective and compassionate response to these issues and the mental health requirements of your employees. Here are the main reasons why:

We are not an EAP: Wellbeing Partners In-House Employee Counselling Service is pay-as-you-use service (not a subscription model) that allows great flexibility for organisations and fast access to mental health support for employees.

Your Own Team of Mental Health Professionals: Your organisation will be assigned a small and dedicated team of fully qualified and highly experienced counsellors who get to know your staff and are accessible at any time they are needed. Sessions can be offered in-person in your workplace, or online via secure video platform.

New Trend, New Approach: Responding to the mental health crisis requires a dynamic approach.  In house-counselling is the emergent trend in workplace mental health, one that we have been offering for many years with a large and growing list of workplace clients. Our in-house counselling service is refined, effective and offers dedicated one-to-one appointments with staff in-person or online to fit with their busy schedules.

Training and Experience: Wellbeing Partners are experts at providing mental health and wellbeing support in professional settings.  This is because we source and employ experts in their fields.  All our counsellors are BACP registered and with at least 10 years’ post-qualification experience. They also all have extensive experience of providing counselling and wellbeing coaching in professional settings and combine unrivalled training and experience that meets your needs.

Accessibility: Our In-House Counselling offers a broad service that sees no mental health issue as too big or too small.  EAPs are increasingly turning employees away if their issues are deemed too small to meet the threshold for mental health support, or conversely, they are too complex for the support they can offer. At Wellbeing Partners we support all your employees no matter what their issue, offering a forum and safe environment for people to work through their challenges.

Prevention, Performance and Confidence: Our broad approach to challenges in In-House Counselling means that smaller issues can be prevented from developing into crises and more complex issues receive the timely support they deserve.  Our counselling services focus on creating the framework and confidence that people need to maintain their mental health once the sessions are concluded, reducing likelihood of later relapses. In-House Employee Counselling is not a luxury, but an intelligent, supportive and economical response to mental health issues. It offers both short and long-term gains for individuals and organisations.

Our specialisms include but are not limited to:

  • Neurodivergent mental health
  • Burnout and chronic stress
  • Sickness absence due to mental health issues
  • Anxiety, depression, OCD
  • Bereavement and loss
  • Insomnia and persistent sleep difficulties
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Workplace relationship difficulties
  • Menopause-related mental health

Learn more about our Employee Counselling services

Getting Started

A New Approach to Employee Mental Health

Wellbeing Partners offer an unique and expansive counselling service with sessions that can be ad hoc, flexible or ongoing and regular and that can be held online or in-person.

Our team offers expert support in areas including:

  • Neurodivergent mental health
  • Menopause-related mental health
  • Burnout and chronic stress
  • Sickness absence due to mental health issues
  • Anxiety, depression, OCD
  • Bereavement
  • Trauma
  • Insomnia
  • Workplace relationship difficulties

In today’s fast-paced work environment, the need for timely, expert mental health support has never been more critical. At Wellbeing Partners, we go beyond traditional EAPs to deliver specialist workplace counselling that’s flexible, proactive, and clinically robust.

With many years of experience and a clear focus on early intervention, our service empowers employees to navigate a wide range of challenges — from common wellbeing concerns to more complex or specialist issues — in a confidential, supportive environment.

Sessions are typically held online for ease of access, but we also offer on-site counselling by arrangement. Whether you need ad hoc supportflexible access, or regular sessions, we tailor our service to your organisation’s needs.

If you’re ready to move beyond reactive support and create a workplace culture where mental wellbeing is proactively protected, we’d be happy to help. For more information please fill in the form below.

Employee Counselling for Uncertain Times

In the past few months, a theme that has emerged in employee counselling as a major driver of stress and burnout amongst employees is that of “uncertainty”.  This feelings of not quite knowing what is going to happen and the sense of trouble on the horizon are great drivers of human unease.  The brain evolved to crave certainty and when uncertainty arises, it can lead to greater levels of stress, anxiety, depression and a spiral of negative thoughts and emotions.

It is not without reason that scrolling through the news and social media has been dubbed “doomscrolling”.  All around us and at our fingertips is news of threat, where daily updates about global insecurity, political instability, war, financial crises and escalating environmental damage are just part of fabric of daily life.

Our team of workplace counsellors have noted a rise in concern about this widespread uncertainty amongst employees at all levels of organisations, affecting not only the mental health of the employees, but also their ability to focus and meet their professional responsibilities. We cannot change the external uncertainties, but our highly skilled and experienced employee counsellors can help your employees find coping strategies to manage the perception of threat and stress levels, helping employees be happier, resilient and more productive.

The employee counsellors at Wellbeing Partners are all BACP certified and, crucially, have extensive experience in helping people manage uncertainties, both professional and personal, meaning these problems get the timely support required to help people overcome them.

Employee Counselling is not a luxury, but an intelligent, supportive and economical response to mental health issues caused by the pressures of an uncertain world. It offers both short and long-term gains for individuals and organisations.  You may find it useful to introduce regular employee counselling sessions for employees, each led by a multi-qualified specialist.  Alternatively urgent employee mental health sessions can be booked on a case-by-case basis, providing a cost-effective, high-quality alternative to the more familiar EAP approach.

For more information on our employee counsellign and how we can support your employees at times of uncertainty, please complete the form below.

Empowering Menopausal Women in the Workforce

A key aspect of the new UK government’s Plan to Make Work Pay legislation is its focus on improving support for women navigating peri-menopause and menopause within the workplace environment.

While mental and physical health support has improved in many workplaces, menopausal women are still often met with challenges such as misunderstanding, stigma, and even discrimination at work. This leaves many women feeling forced to leave the workforce at a time when their invaluable experience, knowledge, and skills are needed most.

Mature women bring a wealth of benefits to workplaces, including intelligence, wisdom, resilience, collaborative skills, multitasking abilities, and essential mentorship for younger generations of employees. By supporting menopausal women, you can retain these valuable assets while fostering a more inclusive, productive workplace.

Wellbeing Partners can help you create a comprehensive support program that not only aids menopausal employees but also ensures your organisation complies with the Make Work Pay legislation. We offer a range of tailored services designed to support the unique needs of your workforce:

  1. Specialist Menopause Counselling
    Our menopause counselling services offer a safe space for peri-menopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal women to address their mental health and wellbeing needs. This can be offered on an ad-hoc or regular basis, depending on your organisation’s requirements.
  2. Menopause Training for Line Managers
    A two-hour, live and interactive training session for your line managers and leaders, aimed at increasing awareness of menopause and its impact on women at work. The training includes key skills for having supportive conversations that foster a collaborative approach to accommodations and flexibility between managers and menopausal workers.
  3. Surviving and Thriving in Menopause
    This one-hour awareness and self-care workshop raises awareness of menopause in the workplace. It focuses on the strengths and contributions that menopausal women bring to society and the workplace, offers insights into menopause symptoms that can impact work, provides a thorough understanding of HRT and other self care tips and techniques for reducing symptoms, as well as advice for creating a more inclusive work environment for menopausal women.

If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help your organisation support and retain menopausal workers, please get in touch by completing the form below, or email [email protected]

Boost Workplace Wellbeing with Recovery Counselling for Employees on Sick Leave

Workplace absenteeism due to mental health concerns such as anxiety, stress, burnout, depression, and trauma is on the rise. In the UK, the average number of sick days taken by employees has surged by 55% since 2019[1]. For employees who are off work for extended periods, the lack of a tailored recovery plan can lead to avoidable prolonged absence, increased anxiety about returning to work, and diminished productivity upon their return.

Introducing Wellbeing Partners’ Recovery Counselling Service
At Wellbeing Partners, we understand the unique challenges that employees face when navigating a period of sick leave. That’s why we’ve designed a cost-effective, professional support service to help employees recover more effectively—both physically and mentally—while preparing them for a smooth return to work.

Our Recovery Counselling service provides employees on sick leave with a set of tailored, 50-minute online sessions with experienced workplace mental health professionals. Employees receive expert support to manage anxiety, burnout, stress, insomnia, depression, bereavement and grief, trauma, and interpersonal difficulties—issues that can significantly affect their health and productivity.

How We Help
Our Recovery Counselling service equips employees with practical tools to:

  • Recover and maintain their wellbeing
  • Build resilience and coping skills
  • Navigate the sometimes anxiety-filled process of returning to work
  • Restore their overall wellbeing and capacity to flourish in the workplace

Why Choose Wellbeing Partners?

  • Expert Support: Our team consists of fully qualified and experienced workplace mental health professionals, each with a minimum of 10 years post-qualification experience and professional association membership
  • Tailored Approach: Each employee is provided with confidential sessions to improve their mental wellbeing, including a wellbeing recovery plan that is based on their individual needs
  • Convenient Access: Sessions take place online, making it easy for employees to access support from the comfort of their own space
  • Cost-Effective: Our service provides a budget-friendly solution to help employees recover and return to work with confidence.

By offering Recovery Counselling, you’re not just supporting your employees during their sick leave; you’re also investing in their long-term wellbeing and productivity. Helping employees return to work with confidence and resilience benefits your business, too—by reducing the risk of longer-term absence and supporting a healthier, more engaged workforce.

Contact us below to learn more about how Wellbeing Partners can support your employees through their recovery journey.

[1] https://www.peoplehr.com/en-gb/resources/blog/sick-leave-report-how-are-different-industries-faring/#:~:text=The%20current%20status%20of%20sick%20leave%20in%20the%20UK,-To%20do%20a&text=Nationally%2C%20the%20report%20has%20revealed,compared%20to%20120%2he s0in%202022.

Elevate Employee Wellbeing with Fully Qualified Workplace Counselling

At Wellbeing Partners, we understand the critical importance of mental health in the workplace. Our team of fully qualified and experienced workplace counsellors is dedicated to providing effective support that prioritises prevention and recovery for mental health and wellbeing challenges.

Why Choose Wellbeing Partners?

  • Qualified Experts: Our mental health clinicians all hold recognised qualifications and boast a minimum of 10 years of post-qualification clinical experience at master level. All team members are accredited by leading professional associations, including the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
  • Flexible Support Options: We offer ad hoc, flexible, and regular counselling services tailored to your organisational needs. Employees can access support quickly through online or in-person sessions, ensuring convenience and accessibility.
  • Value-Driven Investment: Our approach delivers excellent value, demonstrating a high return on investment in employee wellbeing.

A New Approach to Mental Health Support

Wellbeing Partners is at the forefront of transforming workplace mental health services, moving beyond traditional Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to provide timely and impactful support. Our clinical excellence, many years of experience, and our focus on prevention and proactive care distinguishes us from other providers.

Our counselling services empower employees to address a wide range of issues in a supportive and confidential environment. Our expertise encompasses:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Burnout
  • Bereavement and loss
  • Insomnia and sleep disorders
  • Trauma
  • Interpersonal relationship challenges
  • Chronic stress
  • Neurodivergent mental health
  • Menopause-related mental health issues
  • Health-related mental health challenges

Invest in Your Employees’ Wellbeing

Supporting mental health is not just a responsibility; it’s an investment in your organisation’s future. With Wellbeing Partners you can ensure your employees receive the professional guidance they need to thrive both personally and professionally.

We look forward to partnering with you to create a healthier, more resilient workplace!

To learn more about our services and how we can support your team, please complete the form below

 

The ‘Malingering Myth’: Why employees keep mental health struggles hidden in the workplace

There is a disturbing narrative gaining traction in professional circles that argues that many employees suffering from mental health issues are “malingering” – exaggerating or even faking symptoms to facilitate time off work. 

The idea that large numbers of people are using mental health as a convenient excuse to avoid work is a myth.  Whilst there has always been (and always will be) those who “pull a sickie” and exaggerate mental and physical ailments, this is very much the minority and should be acknowledged as such.

However, this myth persists and, more seriously, it serves to divert attention away from a much more serious issue – the fact that many employees with genuine mental health challenges are avoiding disclosing these issues or seeking help for fear of how they will be perceived.

The growth of mental health awareness in the workplace has encouraged more open conversations on the subject, but it has also sparked a backlash.  Increasingly the discussion around employee mental health is tinged with scepticism and even hostility, with many in senior management dismissing mental health issues as exaggerated at best, and, at worst, completely fabricated. 

This ‘malingering myth’ is inaccurate and dangerous.  It allows people to dismiss what are real health concerns, to ignore discussion around modifying work practices that may be causing mental health difficulties and, perhaps most concerning, it stops people who are really suffering from speaking up.

A series of studies from across the globe have highlighted that, contrary to what the ‘malingering myth’ suggests, people with mental health issues are unlikely to seek time off work, with many employees loathe to even disclose they are suffering for fear of the stigma and consequences it may bring in the workplace[i]

One study highlighted that 91% of Britons, 92% of Americans and 90% of Australians believe that people with mental health issues are treated differently in the workplace and therefore do not disclose or seek support[ii].  The impact is highlighted in the conclusion of a study by the American Psychiatric Association:

More than half of people with mental illness don’t receive help for their disorders. Often, people avoid or delay seeking treatment due to concerns about being treated differently or fears of losing their jobs and livelihood. That’s because stigma, prejudice and discrimination against people with mental illness are still very much a problem“.[iii]

So, contrary to the unhelpful idea that people are likely to use mental health as an excuse to avoid work, the truth is that people are so concerned with how they might be perceived in the workplace, they continue to work, whilst suffering in silence.

Research shows that in-house support for employee mental health reduces the recovery time in comparison to employees who seek external professional support.[iv] Employees who soldier on in silence risk worsening their mental health and reducing their engagement and performance.  Organisations that sustain a culture of suspicion and stigma will therefore perform worse than those that recognise and support employee mental health.

It is therefore both a duty of care for your employees and good business sense to offer open support for mental health at work, and there are three clear approaches to achieve this.

Employee Counselling is an intelligent, supportive and economical option for organisations. It offers both short and long-term gains for individuals and organisations.  You may find it useful to introduce regular employee counselling sessions for employees, each led by a multi-qualified specialist.  Alternatively urgent employee mental health sessions can be booked on a case-by-case basis, providing a cost-effective, high-quality alternative to the more familiar EAP approach.

To compliment employee counselling organisations should consider training their managers and leaders. Our flagship Mental Health for Training for Managers is highly effective at giving managers the confidence, knowledge and skills to support a team member who may be struggling with a mental health issue. Participants will become adept at identifying when a team member is in crisis, learn the conversational skills required to help them, and develop the know-how to signpost them to professional support.

Finally, it is good forward planning for organisations to offer programmes that empower employees to support themselves if they are concerned about their mental wellbeing.  Our How to Improve your Mental Health workshop uses straightforward, evidence-based strategies and techniques to provide employees with practical steps for enhancing all aspects of their mental health.  These techniques help people take timely actions to stop these issues developing into crises.

If you would like more information on our Workplace Counselling Service, Mental Health Training for Managers or the How to Improve your Mental Health workshop, please complete the form below:


[i] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10202847/ and  https://www.jstor.org/stable/43999219 and https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination and https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/work-in-america/2023-workplace-health-well-being

[ii] https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220819-is-workplace-stigma-around-mental-health-struggles-changing

[iii] https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination

[iv] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00420-017-1268-1

Insight into Wellbeing Partner’s Senior Counsellor and Presenter

  • Alex Macfarlane MBACP
  • Fully qualified mental health professional
  • Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
  • 10+ years post qualification experience in workplace mental health support services

What do you enjoy about working as a counsellor, mental health trainer and presenter for Wellbeing Partners?

Working for Wellbeing Partners has afforded me many opportunities to pursue my professional interests in an environment where I am connecting with people and making a difference. I have always had a deep-rooted interest in helping individuals realise their potential, to fully utilise their capabilities and talents, but so often people are held back from this due to adverse mindsets.  I was particularly interested in the significant impact that workplace environments have on mental health and overall well-being.

Working for Wellbeing Partners provides me with many different ways to help employees manage stress, improve their work-life balance, and enhance their productivity and overall job satisfaction.  I have the regular one-to-one counselling work that helps individuals manage stressors and to flourish in the face of professional and personal challenges. I get to work at managerial and even organisational level to help train and inform organisational approach and policy to mental wellbeing.  In addition to this, I deliver specialised wellbeing workshops, offering practical mental health support to employees on a variety of important topics.  These approaches allow me to support large numbers of individuals and gives me a real sense of professional fulfilment.

What are some common themes that employees come to see you about, and how do you support them?

Common themes that I have work with include, anxiety, stress, burnout, interpersonal conflicts, sleep-issues and work-life balance challenges. In recent years too I have noticed a greater demand one of my specialist areas, that of supporting neurodivergence and mental health. I support employees by using scientifically validated techniques to help people develop healthier, more effective habits. I aim to create a safe and collaborative space, whilst remaining objective and non-judgemental, which is conducive for self-exploration. We work together to identify and change their thought and behaviour patterns that are preventing them from living a fulfilling and meaningful life. The employee will learn strategies, so that they can better cope with challenges they may face in the future.

I conduct workshops and training on topics such as how to manage stress, mental health training for managers, relationship building workshops, and how to improve one’s sleep.

What role does a workplace counsellor play in enhancing a greater wellbeing culture within an organization?

A workplace counsellor plays a vital role in promoting a healthy and supportive culture within an organisation. It helps to address individual employee concerns and identify possible longer term mental health issues, whilst providing resources to support the individual moving forward. I help the individual to feel empowered and valued, which can increase feelings of wellbeing, which leads to greater productivity in the workplace. Additionally, Wellbeing Partners work with the Human Resources and People’s Team to make sure our workshops and trainings are tailored to meet the needs of the organisation. Which adds to the wellbeing culture of a company by promoting openness and support for mental health.

Have you got a success story from one of your counselling sessions that have positively impacted an employee?

One of my clients was suffering with generalised anxiety and burnout, which was affecting their performance at work as well as their relationships. Through our counselling sessions, we identified the origin of their anxiety and worked together to develop appropriate coping skills. Over time, the individual reported symptom relief and better able to function in their role at work. This had a positive impact on their wellbeing which gave them greater headspace to pursue their goals and focus on developing their relationships.

World Mental Health Day 10 October 2024 – this year’s theme is “Workplace Mental Health”

  • World Mental Health Day 2024 is 10th October
  • This year’s theme is “Mental Health in the Workplace”
  • Workers are experiencing higher levels of exhaustion, stress and burnout, anxiety and insomnia
  • Prioritising events and specialist counselling in your workplace to celebrate World Mental Health Day key to setting the right tone

    October 10th is World Mental Health Day 2024.  This year the theme is “It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace”, a much needed opportunity to focus our attention on the mental health challenges faced in the modern workplace.

    Unfortunately, the number of people experiencing mental health issues in the workplace remains high. A quarter of UK workers have reported being unable to cope with the stresses and pressures of the workplace, whilst last year, 1 in 5 employees took time off work because of mental health issues[i].  Shockingly, over 50% of all sick leave in the UK is a result of stress, depression or anxiety[ii].  Part of this is the mental health legacy of the pandemic, but there is much in the day-to-day demands of the workplace that is contributing to these issues.

    Long hours, being on-call for emails and messages outside work hours, the shifts in energy required by hybrid working, a lack of work-life balance and troubles with workplace relationships are all factors contributing to mental health pressures and if people do not have the support and tools to cope, then the workplace mental health crisis will continue.

    If you would like to put on some events in your workplace to celebrate World Mental Health Day and help support your employees, you have come to the right place.  Wellbeing Partners are workplace mental health specialists. We have a range of workshops and training services as well as a specialist workplace counselling service, all of which are available to support employee mental health.

    Workshops

    Central to the work of Wellbeing Partners is empowering people to support their own mental health through our wellbeing workshops. These 60-minute interactive sessions give your employees practical skills, and they cover a range of topics.  Some that you may want to run for World Mental Health Day include:

    How to Improve Your Mental Health – mental health a continuum and this session explores how certain behaviours and techniques help us move towards, and sustain, good mental health. Focusing on practical day-to-day changes and tips, this session provides a thorough overview of how we can take back control over our mental health and help ourselves be happier, engaged and productive.

    Overcoming Burnout – this session provides an overview of the condition, the underlying causes, signs and symptoms, and focuses primarily on a range of practical, evidence-based solutions to reduce the symptoms of burnout. 

    Finding the Right Work-life Balance – a lack of work-life balance is a key driver of workplace stress, and this workshop shows how we can ensure we are engaged and productive at work whilst also setting the necessary boundaries needed for rest and good mental wellbeing.

    Introduction to Mindfulness/Mindfulness for Stress Reduction – mindfulness is clinically proven to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.  These workshops demystify mindfulness, put it in its scientific context and show people how to use this powerful skill to support their mental health.

    Get Moving for Mental Health – a sedentary lifestyle will negatively impact your mental health, an increasingly bigger issue as many of us work from home and move less frequently. This session shows the importance of regular movement and how it can be incorporated into a busy working day.

    Managing Stress and Enhancing Resilience – the session provides participants with the knowledge and tools to reduce their stress and anxiety and increase their sense of mental wellbeing, and to improve and enhance their own resilience and mental health.

    Resilience: Taming the Inner Critic – utilising traditional resilience skills, growth mindset techniques and cutting-edge research into self-compassion and resilience, this session endows individuals with practical skills and a deep rooted sense of strength in the face of life’s challenges, both professional and personal.

    Neurodivergent Mental Health – neurodivergence is a risk factor for mental health issues and emotional dysregulation due to the slight differences in how the nervous system functions for those with ADHD, autism and other neurodivergences. This one-hour workshop provides a comprehensive range of self-care tips for your neurodivergent employees to effectively manage their mental health and wellbeing.

    Mental Health Training Services

    For World Mental Health Day, you might also consider using our training services that allow managers, people teams and employees to explore how they manage mental health challenges in the workplace and how to encourage psychologically safe and appropriate discussions on these issues.

    Mental Health Training for Managers – This two-hour course provides your managers with the confidence, knowledge, skills and boundaries to support a team member who maybe struggling with their mental health. The course teaches managers how to create a psychologically safe environment and how to signpost individuals onto the professional support services in an effective and appropriate way.

    Talking Mental Health – This 90-minute session for all employees focuses on mental health issues, the recovery model, plus the skills for supporting others and improving our own mental health. It covers a wide range of aspects around mental health and mental health issues and provides participants with practical steps and advice to enhance their own mental wellbeing.

    Workplace Counselling

    Wellbeing Partners are experts at providing specialist workplace counselling that is distinctly different to the EAP model. Our broad approach to workplace wellbeing means that smaller issues can be prevented from developing into crises and more complex issues.  Our counselling services focus on creating the framework and confidence that people need to maintain their mental health once the sessions are concluded, reducing likelihood of later relapses. In-House Workplace Counselling is not a luxury, but an intelligent, supportive and economical response to mental health issues. It offers both short and long-term gains for individuals and organisations.

    For further information on World Mental Health Day and any of the workshops and services we provide, please complete the form below.


    [i] https://mentalhealth-uk.org/burnout/#:~:text=91%25%20of%20adults%20in%20the,any%20other%20working%20status%20group.

    [ii] https://press.hse.gov.uk/2023/11/22/hse-publishes-annual-work-related-ill-health-and-injury-statistics-for-2022-23/

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