Why it is Important to Have an On-site Therapist/Counsellor

Are you an employee that has found themselves feeling overwhelmed and stressed out at work?

Are you an employer that has noticed members of staff that are feeling, anxious, low mood and needing sick days due to mental health?

Are you an employer that has noticed in society the increased sick days due to mental health and you wondering if you can get ahead of the curve?

Imagine having access to a trained therapist right in your workplace, ready to support you and your staff through difficult and challenging times, helping to enhance the workplace from simply a place of work, to somewhere that is more holistic, that will help to reduce sick days due to mental health and increased productivity – all due to a warmer approach to the staff.

Having an onsite therapist can make a world of difference in the overall well-being and productivity of employees.

This article speaks about the value of having an on-site therapist whether that be in a full-time role or in a part-time/contract role.

Improved Employee Mental Health and Wellbeing

Think about what it would be like to have a ‘therapeutic space’ in work that you can use to offload a work issue or a separate issue, where a trained on-site therapist/counsellor can help guide you through it and you come away feeling better and ready to tackle the day/week ahead.

This invaluable resource not only helps to improve employee mental health and wellbeing but also creates a supportive work environment for individuals to thrive in.

With such ease of access to a professional help right at their fingertips, employees can feel empowered to address their concerns before they escalate, leading to decreased stress levels and enhanced overall happiness.

Having an on-site therapist/counsellor, encourages employees to be open by way of communication, particularly when being helped by an impartial professional.

By offering this ‘therapeutic space for employees to express their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment, this will help to improve employee mental health and wellbeing not just individually but by having a wider impact creating a cohesive community that values each member's well-being.

Increased Productivity and Decreased Absenteeism

As society and individuals change an evolve, so must the workplace for its employees.

By having an onsite therapist available, companies can create and nurture an environment where increased productivity and decreased absenteeism become more than just goals because they are valued as humans as much as they are employees.

On site counselling provides employees with the tools they need to navigate challenges effectively, whether that be a mild CBT approach to an issue, or maybe a ‘vent’ in a therapeutic setting which then leads to an engaged workforce that is better equipped to handle stress in the workplace.

Now more than ever in a world where we are meant to be more connected, there seems to be a greater disconnect amongst people therefore by offering resources for mental health and wellbeing on site. Companies can significantly reduce absenteeism rates as again employees feel invested in this wellness pays off in terms of improved work quality and efficiency.

There was poll taken by ‘Partners In Leadership’ and it found that when employees are happier at work, 85% say they take more initiative; 73% say they are better collaborators; and 48% care more about their work.

This is something that effective, responsible leaders understand, that there is a correlation between higher levels of engagement, happiness, and productivity when people feel good about it

 As organizations prioritize the mental health of their staff through onsite therapy/counselling services, the benefits extend far beyond individual well-being as from a business point of view, increased productivity becomes a natural outcome of a workforce that feels heard and supported, while decreased absenteeism shows a positive shift towards creating a healthier work environment.

 By developing a culture that values mental health and offers necessary resources for support, companies set themselves up for success by nurturing both the personal growth of employees and the collective prosperity of the organization.

Through this holistic approach to employee well-being, businesses can create a thriving culture, a working family where everyone can flourish together.

Enhanced Company Culture and Employee Satisfaction

The aim is to create a workplace where employees can feel truly supported and valued, where their mental health and well-being are top priorities as this is the kind of environment that can be created by having an onsite therapist available to provide counselling services.

An example of the positive impact of having an onsite therapist is seen in a case study where a tech company implemented counselling services for its employees. The result was not only increased employee satisfaction but also improved communication, collaboration, and overall morale within the organization.

Employees felt more supported and heard, leading to higher levels of engagement and productivity. This is a typical example of how and why more and employers are adding this service on-site. This is simply because when employees know that they have access to confidential support from a trained therapist right at their workplace, they are more likely to feel comfortable discussing any personal or work-related issues.

However, it must be noted that the employer must be fully engaged with having an on-site therapist and to allow staff the support in and around using them.

For example, staff must feel that by seeing the on-site therapist, that is not going to affect them negatively by way of their job role or promotion opportunities to name a few.

Therefore, this sense of trust and safety will create a strong foundation for building relationships among colleagues and garners a greater sense of community within the company.

As a result, employees experience higher job satisfaction, lower stress levels, and increased motivation to excel in their roles.

When employees feel supported and cared for by their employer, it enhances their loyalty to the organization and strengthens their commitment to achieving common goals.

Ultimately, investing in employee well-being through onsite therapy leads to a happier, healthier workforce and a more productive workplace environment.

Conclusion

 It isn’t the case of simply having an onsite therapist at your workplace to pay ‘lip-service’ that there is one there.

Employers must take responsibility in creating an environment, a culture where this is welcomed as it can greatly benefit employees by improving their mental health and wellbeing and in turn increasing productivity, decreasing absenteeism, and enhancing company culture.

To finish off with a quote by Simon Sinek one of the great voices in our current age:

“The responsibility of a company is to serve the customer. The responsibility of leadership is to serve their people so that their people may better serve the customer. If leaders fail to serve their people first, both customer and company will suffer.” (Simon Sinek - author, motivational speaker and marketing consultant)