Tag: workplace counselling

21 August 2024
burnout • burnout counselling • employee counselling • employee mental health • employee wellbeing • mental health • mental health at work • workplace counselling •

Workplace Counselling and Support Services for Employee Burnout

Burnout continues to be a pervasive issue affecting workplace mental health, with many employees finding it difficult to effectively manage the various pressures they face professionally and personally. 

The day-to-day demands of the workplace – 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 – can mingle with personal life pressures and multiple responsibilities.  The mental health legacy of the pandemic, ongoing financial issues as well as the prevalence of global strife add another layer of pressure, and the toll on employee mental health is evidenced in the rise in burnout cases.

Workplace counselling has emerged as an invaluable tool in supporting employees and empowering them to develop resilience and reduce burnout.

The Impact of Burnout on Employees

If not acknowledge and managed, burnout can quickly become overwhelming, with employees experiencing debilitating fatigue, sleep issues, lethargy and stress-ailments like headaches or gastrointestinal issues. Burnout causes heightened levels of stress, anxiety, detachment and even a pervasive sense of failure, meaning those suffering may struggle with concentration, memory, and decision-making, making it difficult to perform effectively at work.

Burnout also takes a heavy toll on employees’ personal lives. The emotional drain from work often spills over into time away from work, leading to personal issues that then, in a vicious circle, add to the strains of employment, entrenching the burnout cycle.

The cumulative effects of burnout can lead to a significant decline in job performance. Employees may become less productive, make more mistakes, be absent more regularly and miss deadlines. This impacts both the individual and the organisation, leading to decreased overall productivity and morale.

The Role of Specialist Workplace Counselling

Burnout is unlikely to resolve itself due to the ongoing nature of many of the pressures that feed it.  Overcoming burnout requires action, but for those experiencing burnout such action can seem daunting and requires external support. Workplace counselling provides this support, giving employees a confidential space to explore their feelings, understand the causes of their stress, and develop strategies to cope more effectively.

Our broad approach to challenges through our workplace counselling means that smaller issues can be dealt with before they develop into crises.  It means bigger problems get the timely support required to help people overcome them.  It increases people’s ability to engage in the workplace, to perform, whilst also receiving much needed support.  Our counselling also focuses on creating the framework and confidence that people need to maintain their mental health once the sessions are concluded, reducing likelihood of later relapses.

One Hour Lunch & Learn Workshop – “Overcoming Burnout”

Another option for organisations looking to support employees facing burnout is to offer our “Overcoming Burnout” workshop.  This accessible and interactive 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.  For employees interested in the subject or looking for guidance on their own experience of burnout, this is the perfect introduction.  It may be the guide they need to self-support and build resilience, or it can act as a stepping stone to further professional support through counselling.

The session utilises an interactive quiz to identify symptoms and severity of burnout, before explaining how burnout impacts our neurotransmitter function and our behaviour.  It also looks at practical tips and solutions for regaining energy and motivation such as setting work/life boundaries, boosting your energy and motivation, how to stimulate your brain connection and reducing negative thinking patterns and offers support for the individual and the organisation.

Fostering a Supportive Work Environment

Beyond individual support, offering workplace counselling and wellbeing workshops contributes to a broader culture of care within organisations. When employees see that their mental health is valued and supported, they are more likely to feel engaged and motivated. Organisations that offer counselling services are making a clear statement about their commitment to employee wellbeing. This can enhance job satisfaction and loyalty, reduce turnover, and attract new talent, all of which contribute to a more robust and resilient workforce.

Specialist Employee Counselling for Burnout is not a luxury, but an intelligent, supportive and economical response. 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.

If you would like more information on our Counselling Service for Burnout, or our one our Lunch & Learn Workshop “Overcoming Burnout” please complete the form below:

8 August 2024
employee mental health • employee wellbeing • gen z • generation z • mental health at work • mental health awareness • work life balance • workplace counselling •

Understanding Gen Z in the Workplace

by Kitty Hannam

As Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2010) enters the workforce in increasing numbers, they bring new perspectives and challenges that are reshaping workplace dynamics. From struggles with work-life balance and isolation due to remote working to navigating intergenerational differences in workplace etiquette, Gen Z faces unique hurdles in the workplace. 

Understanding these challenges, and the expectations that Gen Z has for mental health support and workplace flexibility, is crucial for creating a supportive and productive work environment that allows the pursuit of meaningful work.

The Challenge of Work-Life Balance

Generation Z has entered a working environment where the lines between work and personal life have become increasingly blurred. The shift to remote working, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has made it challenging for many employees to establish clear boundaries. With the workplace now as accessible as their own homes, Gen Z employees often find themselves working beyond typical hours whilst taking fewer breaks, leading to burnout and feelings of resentment. This constant accessibility can also create unrealistic expectations from employers, further exacerbating stress and dissatisfaction.

Intergenerational Gaps and Workplace Etiquette

A perenial issue for younger generations, one now facing Generation Z in the workplace, is the intergenerational gap in values and etiquette. Often, younger employees have different work styles and expectations compared to their established colleagues. These differences can lead to misunderstandings, unfair assumptions, and even hostile work environments. For example, while Gen Z might value flexibility and work-life integration, organisations may continue to prioritise traditional office-based work and established routines and time schedules. Bridging these gaps requires open communication and a willingness to adapt on both sides.

Isolation in Remote Work Environments

While remote work offers flexibility, it also poses challenges in terms of social interaction and relationship building. For many Gen Z employees, work is a primary source of social engagement and the lack of face-to-face interactions can lead to feelings of isolation and social anxiety. Building a sense of belonging and connection with colleagues becomes more difficult when interactions are confined to screens. Employers need to find creative ways to foster team cohesion and ensure that remote workers do not feel disconnected, whilst still allowing the flexibility inherent in hybrid-working.

Mental Health and Support in the Workplace

Mental health is a significant concern for Generation Z, especially as they navigate new professional environments. Many in this generation seek support for their mental health needs but often feel that their employers do not provide sufficient resources or compassion. This lack of support can be rooted in generational differences in how mental health is perceived and addressed, especially as widespread workplace mental health support is a relatively new phenomenon.  Creating a workplace culture that prioritises mental wellbeing and provides appropriate resources is essential for fostering a supportive environment that benefits all employees.

Pursuit of Meaningful Careers

Generation Z places a high value on finding jobs that combine meaning and opportunities for growth. They are keen on understanding how their current roles align with their future career aspirations. However, the uncertainty of navigating career paths, especially in these times of economic turbulence, can lead to pressure and frustration. Gen Z individuals want to ensure that their work has purpose and contributes to their personal and professional development. Employers should endeavour to offer clear paths for advancement whilst support their employees’ aspirations. This will help the organisation to retain talent and foster job satisfaction amongst Gen Z.

Generation Z brings fresh perspectives and expectations to the workplace, and understanding their unique challenges is vital for creating a harmonious and productive environment. By addressing issues related to work-life balance, intergenerational differences, remote work isolation, mental health support, and career growth, employers can better support their Gen Z employees. This, in turn, can lead to a more engaged, innovative, and satisfied workforce.

For more insights into the evolving workplace and strategies to support diverse teams, contact us at [email protected] or complete the form below.

23 July 2024
employee counselling • interpersonal counselling • mental health • mental health at work • relationship breakdown counselling • relationship counselling • relationship support • workplace counselling • workplace mental health • workplace relationship counselling •

Employee Counselling Update: The Rising Impact of Personal Relationship Difficulties on Workplace Mental Health and Performance

In recent months, there has been a very sharp increase in the number of employees seeking workplace counselling support for personal relationship problems, including infidelities, abusive behaviours, separations and divorce. This represents a shift away from burnout as the primary reason for employees seeking workplace counselling, and highlights yet another legacy of the pandemic – the detrimental impact on intimate relationships.

Experiencing difficulties and endings in our personal relationships often has a deeply emotional and distressing impact on all parts of our lives. Our intimate partners and our shared experiences with them are something we often rely on for permanence, stability and certainty.  When our relationships go through turbulence or come to an end, we can be left with feelings of loss, anger, guilt, anxiety and despair.

Whilst these issues have traditionally been seen as the preserve of the “personal” rather than “professional” sphere, there is increasing understanding that it is very difficult to separate from such emotionally overwhelming matters when we are trying to work.  

Employees who are going through relationship breakdown are more likely to experience symptoms of stress, anxiety, insomnia and clinical depression, in addition to financial worries and the impact of relationship breakdown on children and other family members.  This is burden enough to manage, on top of professional and workplace responsibilities which can be even more challenging in the midst of crisis.  A lack of focus and concentration, low self-esteem and emotional swings make it hard for people to engage in their work, creating a vicious circle that can contribute to overwhelm, exhaustion and mental health issues.

This is where our specialist workplace counselling service can offer your employees a safety net and support structure for their mental wellbeing and provide tools to improve their ability to focus and be effective at work, boosting their self-esteem and confidence.

Whilst many EAPs are turning away employees who are struggling with important issues such as relationship breakdown, our specialist workplace counselling service is well-equipped to support all employees and their wide range of issues and needs.  

Our Workplace Counselling Team are fully qualified counselling psychotherapists – with at least 10 years post-qualification experience in supporting employee mental health and wellbeing.

Our Workplace Counselling Services are available on a regular or ad hoc basis. For further information see https://wellbeing.partners/employee-counselling/ or complete the form below:

17 July 2024
BBC • employee counselling • employee mental health • mental health • mental health at work • workplace counselling •

Confidentiality is non-negotiable: A response to the new BBC allegations against the UK’s largest EAP

Client confidentiality is at the heart of counselling.  It is the foundation of the counsellor-client relationship and without the trust that it enshrines, mental health support is dangerously undermined and ethically compromised.

Confidentiality helps to make counselling a safe experience, and offers the freedom for individuals to discuss issues, both personal and professional, certain that what they are disclosing is protected by confidentiality.

A new set of revelations from the BBC concerning disturbing breaches of confidentiality at a major EAP, as well as having unqualified individuals offering mental health guidance in professional settings, are practices that we at Wellbeing Partners would never engage in.

Lou Campbell, counselling psychotherapist and director of Wellbeing Partners says:

“We pride ourselves on offering high-quality, professional workplace counselling at Wellbeing Partners. Our counselling and wellbeing sessions are rooted in non-negotiable levels of confidentiality in line with the ethical framework of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. All our counsellors and mental health professionals are members of the BACP and adhere to its ethical framework, and every one of us has at least 10 years post-qualification experience”

https://wellbeing.partners/employee-counselling/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cxee3glz2pyo
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68537252

If you have any questions about our workplace counselling service or our ethics and code of conduct, please complete the form below

28 June 2024
employee counselling • employee mental health • employee wellbeing • mental health • mental health at work • neurodivergence • neurodivergent support • workplace counselling •

Workplace Counselling from Wellbeing Partners: A Comprehensive and Timely Service

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

The biggest challenge to supporting employee mental health is the reality that existing structures are not coping, with organisations across the UK finding their EAP services unable to meet demand.  Many private medical insurers having waiting lists of more than 3 months for accessing mental health services and the NHS is 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 a huge upsurge in 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 Workplace 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.

Our Service is Comprehensive: Our counsellors offer broad mental health support that goes beyond parameters set by EAPs, where employees can be turned away if their issues are deemed too small or too complex to meet the threshold for workplace mental health support.  Our workplace counselling service covers all areas of mental health and wellbeing, including anxiety, depression, insomnia and disturbed sleep, emotional dysregulation, burnout, bereavement, interpersonal difficulties at work or home and more. We also offer counselling on specialist areas such as menopause-related mental health, neurodivergent-related mental health, senior leadership mental health, all in a safe and confidential environment.

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.

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.  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.

If you would like to learn more about our workplace counselling services, either complete the form below or click here – Employee Counselling

18 June 2024
bereavement at work • bereavement counselling • employee counselling • employee mental health • employee wellbeing • mental health • workplace bereavement counselling • workplace counselling •

Workplace Counselling: Employee Bereavement

The use of workplace counselling is usually associated with helping the workforce manage stress, anxiety and feeling burnt out.  And while these are common and important issues that require attention, this understanding of the role of workplace counselling can be limiting and means that important issues can be overlooked.  One such issue – employee bereavement – is often not considered in the employee counselling provision and is perhaps even seen as taboo topic for workplace discussion.

Bereavement is something we will all face but the impact it has on our work is a topic that is often kept at arm’s length.  A grave face and well-meaning phrases like “I’m sorry for your loss” or “if there is anything I can do…” are frequently the extent of the support offered at work, which can leave employees feeling unsupported. 

More than half of employees have said they would leave their current role if they did not receive adequate support for a bereavement, and a third of line managers would welcome more support for bereaved colleagues[i].  It is clear that employees and workplaces benefit from ensuring that those suffering bereavement have access to professional bereavement counselling during a fragile and emotionally distressing time.

Bereavement can bleed into all aspects of life, not least our work.  Grief is powerful and unpredictable. It can cause sleep deprivation, disassociation, flashbacks, and powerful emotions including sadness, anger, shock and guilt.  It can change the way we work, affect our concentration, diminish engagement and efficacy, sometimes making even the simplest of tasks seem like insurmountable challenges.  It can also impact how we relate to our colleagues and our clients, with issues around isolation, anger and fear affecting our interactions.  Without professional support, grief can continue for prolonged periods, impacting the individual and the organisation.

Offering bereavement counselling for employees is an empathetic, intelligent and economical response to mental health issues that can accompany grief.  Our Bereavement Counselling Team all have extensive post BACP Qualification experience of supporting people through bereavement in the working environment. These specialist counsellors create a professional and safe space where employees can open up about their feelings, offering concrete means for individuals to process their grief whilst also building frameworks that allow reengagement with their work.

Bereavement Counselling Services are available on a regular or ad hoc basis and if you would like further information, please us at [email protected] or complete the form below:

[i] https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/bereaved-family-friends/work/employer-resources/research-data-bereavement-work

4 June 2024
employee counselling • employee mental health • employee wellbeing • mental health • senior leadership • senior leadership coaching • senior leadership counselling • workplace counselling •

WORKPLACE COUNSELLING FOR SENIOR LEADERSHIP

Senior leadership roles demand a steady and calm demeanour, providing guidance under immense pressure. While the financial and status rewards of these positions can be significant, the relentless demands often create dangerous levels of stress—a serious issue that leaders themselves frequently overlook.

C-Suite executives are expected to be paragons of leadership. They must make critical decisions that shape their organisations, manage diverse teams, and drive individuals to reach their potential, all while striving for their own professional goals. Despite these unceasing demands, the understandable instances of stress and burnout often remain hidden. Over half of leaders report experiencing burnout[i], and a staggering 75% have considered leaving their role due to stress[ii]. Yet, the topic of C-Suite mental health remains taboo, with many leaders reluctant to seek help or even acknowledge the need for it.

At Wellbeing Partners, we have been providing mental health and wellbeing support to senior leaders in many organisations for over a decade. Our experience indicates that the best way to address the mental health needs of those with significant responsibilities is through a specialist counselling and mental wellbeing support service tailored to their unique challenges, which include burnout, chronic stress, overwhelm, insomnia, personal life and parenting issues, anxiety, depression, alcohol and substance misuse, neurodivergence, and interpersonal difficulties.

We understand that Senior Leadership Counselling and mental wellbeing sessions must be directly accessible, offer a fast response, maintain complete confidentiality, and provide relatable and practical support. Our team of highly qualified counselling psychotherapists possesses extensive experience in supporting leaders and addressing the common mental health and wellbeing issues they face.

For senior leaders and their HR/People support team, recognising that confidential mental health support is not a luxury but a necessity is crucial. Making decisions that support businesses and teams is an everyday part of a senior leader’s role, but the immense pressure and responsibility can and does take its toll over time. All workplaces have a duty of care to the mental health and wellbeing of their leaders too.

To learn more about our Senior Leadership Counselling service and our short masterclass, “Mental Health for Leaders,” please contact us at [email protected] or complete the form below:

[i] https://hbr.org/2023/05/more-than-50-of-managers-feel-burned-out

[ii] https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/talent/workplace-well-being-research.html

16 May 2024
employee counselling • mental health and neurodiversity • mental health for neurodiversity • neurodivergence and mental health • neurodivergent mental health • neurodivergent support • neurodiversity mental health • workplace counselling •

Supporting the Mental Health of Your Neurodivergent Employees with Specialist Workplace Counselling

One of the most important changes in understanding employee mental health has been the focus on understanding neurodiversity and how being neurodivergent can impact our mental health.

The connection of neurodivergence and mental health issues has traditionally been underestimated, misunderstood and even ignored, especially in the workplace. Whilst neurodiversites such as autism and ADHD are not mental health issues, they are highly significant risk factors for mental health issues, particularly anxiety disorders and depressive disorder.  

50% of adults with ADHD and 47% of adults with autism will experience a co-occurring anxiety disorder whilst 70% of adults with ADHDand 40% of adults with autism will also have a co-diagnosis of depression.  Because of these vulnerabilities, it is essential that qualified mental health support is provided by organisations to support neurodivergent mental health.  Unfortunately, for many organisations, their EAPs are unable to offer such specialist support, leaving many employees to struggle with mental health issues that undermine happiness, confidence, productivity and impact their ability to engage in the workplace. 

What is urgently required is neurodivergent employee counselling.  At Wellbeing Partners we provide specialist neurodivergent counselling services on an ad hoc or regular basis, depending on the needs of your business. 

What differentiates us from other services and EAPS is that these employee counselling sessions are neurodivergent specific, led by qualified counsellors with years of experience in both supporting neurodivergent mental health but also providing counselling support within professional settings.  Our team of counsellors are highly experienced in supporting areas especially relevant to neurodivergent mental health including:

  • burnout
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • insomnia
  • interpersonal difficulties
  • communication difficulties
  • related health issues

Providing all staff members the support of named, fully qualified professionals, ensures a guarantee of quality care to employees.  High quality specialist counselling support services ensure that all staff can be guided through all manner of workplace challenges, and properly supported with any mental health issues, by a known, trusted and experienced professional, in a guaranteed time frame.

A guide to our Neurodiversity Services can be found here

1 May 2024
EAP • employee counselling • employee mental health • mental health • mental health at work • mental health awareness • workplace counselling •

Growth in specialist employee counselling service highlights shift away from EAP services

This year has seen the rapid growth in uptake of the in-house employee counselling services provided by Wellbeing Partners as companies organisations across the UK look for effective and sustainable approaches to supporting employee mental health.

This growth of workplace counselling reflects not only the acceptance of the need for organisations to support mental health at work, but also the realities that we face as employees and organisations in an uncertain world.

The past few years have been challenging to say the least.  The background uncertainty created by living through a pandemic, global insecurity as well as financial and environmental problems adds to the pressures of our personal and professional lives and the ongoing sense of flux has impacted not only the way we work, but our ability carry out our work effectively.

Here in the UK, the NHS mental health provision is experiencing unprecedented demand, with record requests for mental health services. Additionally, EAPs that were not created to cope with such levels of demand, are struggling and often failing to provide the necessary support for employee mental health issues. The inability of EAPs to cope has a knock-on effect, further burdening an already overstretched mental health service, and leaving employees with nowhere to turn for help.

A new approach is required, one that puts the needs of employee mental health at its core.  At Wellbeing Partners we believe that utilising our Workplace Counselling services is an efficient, effective and compassionate response to these issues and the workplace mental health demands of your team. Here are the main reasons why.

We are not an EAP: Wellbeing Partners are excellently positioned to offer the support that is needed and are set up to cope with demand in a way the EAPs are not. We are a dedicated service that has the skills, experience and personnel to realise what solution best fits the challenges faced by organisations.  Our Employee Counselling is a non-subscription, pay-as-you-use service that allows a greater flexibility for organisations and quicker access to mental health support for employees.

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

Training and Experience: Wellbeing Partners are experts at providing workplace mental health and wellbeing support.  This is because we source and employee experts in their fields.  All our counsellors are BACP certified and, crucially, have at least 10 years’ experience in the field. They also all have extensive experience of providing employee counselling in professional settings and combine unrivalled training and experience that meets your needs.

Accessibility of Mental Health Support: Our Workplace Counselling offers a broad service that sees no problem as too big or too small.  EAPs find that because of demands placed on them they have to turn people away. Sometimes this is because their requests are deemed too small to meet the threshold for mental health support, or conversely, they are too big or complicated for the support they can offer. At Wellbeing Partners we welcome all employee mental health problems, offering a forum and safe environment for people to work through their challenges.

Prevention, Performance and Confidence: Our broad approach to challenges through our Workplace Counselling means that smaller issues can be dealt with before they develop into crises.  It means bigger problems get the timely support required to help people overcome them.  It increases people’s ability to engage in the workplace, to perform, whilst also receiving much needed support.  Our counselling also focuses on creating the framework and confidence that people need to maintain their mental health once the sessions are concluded, reducing likelihood of later relapses.

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.  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.

Learn more about our Employee Counselling services

Getting Started

You may also like these posts

 
14 May 2025
employee counselling • employee mental health • interpersonal counselling • mental health • mental health at work • mental health awareness • workplace counselling •

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...