Workplace Counseling – What is it, and how does it help

Feeling stressed is normal in this fast-paced and competitive environment. Yet, companies do not pay attention to their employees’ needs unless productivity drops, there is an increase in absenteeism, or teamwork is interfered with. If you feel anxious at the workplace and the deadlines seem to be stressing you out, targets and job security seem overwhelming. The work-life balance gets disrupted, and overall well-being is also harmed.

Workplace counseling should be implemented to deal with the employee’s stress. But what is it, and how does it help? This is exactly what we are going to discuss in this post.

What is Workplace Counseling?

Workplace counseling, as the name suggests, is about giving employees a safe space to discuss their issues and find a constructive solution to the problem. Often, people, due to the fear of reprimand, losing their jobs, or being excluded from the workplace, suffer in silence, allowing workplace problems to get outboard. Workplace counseling is introduced to handle such situations effectively and help employees work to the best of their abilities.

Depending on the size, budget, and need of the organization, workplace counseling can work differently. It can be outsourced or done internally through an in-house counselor.

Benefits of Workplace Counseling

In times of distress, workplace counseling works as a relief. The counselor taps into the problematic areas and gives a solution, helping team members work with motivation. Not only this, but they even help employees to speak up. For instance, if an employee has an idea to solve a problem but cannot speak up due to office politics or whatever reason, the counselor will help the person speak up and share the ideas. This will boost confidence, and the organization will also grow.

Moreover, a counselor helps employees deal with everyday problems that they think are futile but, in reality, are causing harm. By providing workplace counseling, the counselor acts as a bridge between employers and employees, breaking the barriers preventing employees from feeling unheard. Problems that could affect both the organization and the employee are solved through workplace counseling.

Also, the anonymity employees get gives them the courage to speak their hearts out, which makes them feel lighter and safer.

Note – Workplace counseling is different from typical counseling because the counselor here works in the interest of both employer and employee. However, the level of anonymity is the same. The counselor can share the concerns and use the information to resolve the issue, but they cannot disclose the identity of the person.

In addition, workplace counseling also makes the organization aware of issues at the workplace that can expose them to legal liability.

Need for Workplace Counseling

Workplace counseling, alongside helping employees and employers to perform better, also helps determine the business need, and specific things can have negative effects.

Here are some common scenarios that will explain the need for workplace counseling.

• Workload that makes it difficult for the employee to work efficiently.
• Reduce absenteeism.
• To explain and make employees and employers understand the policies and procedures.
• Improve performance.
• Help in meeting deadlines.
• Develop team spirit and minimize cultural blocks.
• Interpersonal relationship problems.
• Responsibility issues.

Methods of workplace counseling

‍Employee counseling is more than it meets the eye. Different approaches and techniques are used within counseling. Here are some common methods that most counselors practice.

1. Solution-focused

One of the popular approaches in workplace counseling is solution-focused. As the name explains, this therapy focuses more on providing a solution. It is a short-term method; often, in three or four sessions, the employee can get over the problem.

This technique helps the person stop dwelling on the past and create a space to set goals and work on them to achieve them. The technique offers practical ways and helps clients feel better.

2. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Often used to treat different scenarios, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT is a well-known method in workplace counseling. The therapy focuses on understanding how people’s thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes affect their feelings and actions.

The counselor, during CBT sessions, challenges negative patterns and helps bring a change in behavior. The technique helps in treating depression, anxiety, stress, sleep disorders, eating issues, and other things.

3. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

This technique is somewhat intimidating, and it helps treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Using side-to-side eye movement and talk therapy, the counselor helps the individual process negative emotions, beliefs, images, and body sensations associated with the sad memory. The technique helps the brain process unresolved memories, helping individuals feel less distressed.

Also Read: Can EMDR Therapy Have A Negative Impact? Side Effects of EMDR therapy

4. Psychodynamic

This therapy is developed from psychoanalysis, and it helps individuals understand how their past and unconscious thoughts shape the feelings and behavior they exhibit. The technique focuses on finding the root cause of the problem, and it helps with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and addiction.

5. Person-centered

This is a more humanistic approach; here, the therapy is led by the person, not the counselor. This technique aims to help the person see the available resources and use them to seek support and build self-confidence.

As the person learns about self, they become more self-reliant and can accept things that must be worked upon. This therapy gives a transparent and judgment-free space, allowing the individual to explore their feelings beliefs, and behaviors to become more self-aware.

Also Read: Person-Centered Therapy: How it Functions and What You Should Expect

Final Words

In a nutshell, counseling helps a person open up. It helps the individual deal with stress and anxiety caused due to several professional and personal life experiences. Workplace counseling not only benefits the professional sphere but also helps one maintain a work-life balance and work efficiently.

Adding a workplace counselor and counseling to the organization helps boost production and by implementing these steps you can ensure counseling services at the workplace give positive results.