Workplace Counselling Techniques: Everything You Need to Know
The success of a company largely depends on the wellbeing of its employees. When we talk about wellbeing, most people think only of physical health and overlook the mental and emotional challenges employees face.
That’s where the concept of workplace counselling becomes extremely crucial. It’s a practical way to support employees beyond just physical health. In this blog, we’ll break down what workplace counselling is, how it works, and why it matters.
What is Workplace Counselling?
Workplace counselling is a type of therapy that is offered to the employees of a company. It is often provided through the Employee Assistance Program(EAP). The main goal is to understand the problems of your employees and solve them.
These problems are often caused by employees’ relationships in the workplace, workload, emotional and mental health, etc. Workplace counselling has some common themes, such as:
- To address an issue that has been caused by the workplace
- To address non-work issues that can create problems in the workplace
- To create a positive impact in the workplace
Workplace counselling service is often provided by qualified professionals to navigate the mental health challenges that can negatively impact employee performance, employee engagement and retention.
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The Importance of Employee Counselling in Wthe orkplace
The concept of counselling in the workplace is becoming increasingly popular among companies to promote employee wellness at the workplace.
- As per the data, 13.8 million employees in the UK are covered by an Employee Assistance Program. One of the major reasons behind the rapid growth in the adoption of counselling at the workplace is COVID-19. After the pandemic, mental strain can be seen everywhere, including at work.
- According to a recent report by Aon and TELUS Health, 35% of employees are at high risk of mental health problems, and 47% are at high risk. Compared to other regions, Asia is more prone to risks such as anxiety, depression, and low productivity, This can hamper business growth.
- 50% of long-term employee sickness absences in the UK are due to mental health.
- According to Gallup, $8.8 trillion annually is lost due to disengaged employees, and poor mental health is one of the key reasons for low employee engagement.
There are so many ways companies can improve their employees’ mental health, and one of the best ways is by introducing workplace counselling.
In 2021, the EAP market size was valued at $6.8 billion, which is expected to reach $9.4 billion by 2027. And it’s not surprising that employers are beginning to understand how supporting the mental health of employees can help their business grow.
Benefits of Workplace Counselling
Counselling at the workplace has proven to tackle the mental health problems of employees, reduce absences and increase employee engagement. If you still can’t see the benefits of employee counselling, then let’s dive deeper into it.
Reduces Long-Term Costs
Stress-related illness can be managed with the help of counselling. Workplace counsellors are trained to help employees with strategies to manage their stress. This can help employers reduce the costs related to burnout, absenteeism, and low employee engagement.
Promotes Employee Productivity
Employees with better mental health are more likely to be more productive compared to those who are mentally unwell. As per the APAC Benefits Strategy Study 2017, 72% of employers in Singapore consider stress an issue that affects productivity. Offering workplace counselling to employees can help them resolve issues hampering their ability to work.
Creates a Safety Net at the Workplace
Employers shouldn’t wait for employees to suffer from mental health issues to introduce therapy at the workplace. As we all know, prevention is better than a cure. Workplace counselling provides employees with a sense of security and reduces the chances of employees suffering from stress-related issues.
Destigmatises Depression
According to the Institute for Mental Health in 2018, 87% of employees didn’t seek mental health care in Singapore because of the stigma around it. So, introducing counselling in the workplace creates a culture where seeking help for mental health is encouraged.
Models of Workplace Counselling
Workplace counselling can be delivered through various models, depending on the size of the organisation, available resources, and specific needs of the employees. Here are the most common approaches:
In-house Workplace Counselling Services
Some companies have in-house counselling services, and some companies also employ or contract professional counsellors to support their employees. This is suitable for companies with big HR or leadership teams who can arrange the logistics.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
These are the programs that offer mental health support to employees who are facing mental health issues such as depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, financial difficulties and so on.
External Counselling Services
Companies partner with external professionals or firms. Employees are referred to outside counsellors, either fully or partially funded by the employer. This model offers confidentiality and flexibility, but may feel less integrated into daily work culture.
Peer Support Programs
Trained employees offer basic emotional support to their peers. While not a replacement for professional counselling, this model can foster a supportive culture and help with early intervention.
What are the Types of Employee Counselling Techniques?
There are different types of workplace counselling techniques, and every organisation must choose the right one for their employees based on budget, size, and the needs of the employees. There are commonly three types of workplace counselling techniques:
Directive Counselling
In this technique, the counsellor takes a leading role, analysing the problem, offering advice, and guiding the employee toward a solution. It’s practical for performance-related issues or when clear steps are needed.
Non-Directive (Client-Centred) Counselling
Here, the employee takes the lead in exploring their thoughts and emotions. The counsellor listens actively without giving direct advice, helping the employee gain self-awareness and clarity. This method is effective for emotional or interpersonal issues.
Participative (Collaborative) Counselling
A blend of directive and non-directive styles. Both the counsellor and the employee work together to understand the problem and find solutions. It encourages involvement and shared responsibility.
Motivational Interviewing
Used to help employees resolve ambivalence toward change (e.g., quitting a harmful habit or improving performance). The counsellor helps strengthen the employee's own motivation and commitment to a goal.
Cognitive Behavioural Counselling (CBC)
Focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns that affect behaviour. Useful for managing stress, anxiety, and workplace conflicts.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
This technique is short-term and goal-oriented. It emphasises what’s working and how to do more of it, rather than digging deep into problems. Ideal for fast-paced work environments.
How Does Workplace Counselling Work?
It doesn’t matter what type of counselling services you provide for your employees. The end goal is to help the employees deal with work and personal issues. Different counselling services work in different ways, but they usually follow these five steps.
- Step 1: Employee realised he/she need support
- Step 2: Employee contacts the workplace counselling service
- Step 3: Employee goes through an initial assessment
- Step 4: Employee attends a series of counselling sessions to deal with challenges
- Step 5: The employee stops attending counselling sessions when the challenge and issue are resolved.
Workplace Counselling Made Easier with CHOYS
CHOYS offers counselling solutions for corporates with its Employee Assistance Program(EAP). Instead of traditional EAP support, CHOYS provides innovative features such as the PERMA survey to find out what is bothering the employees. Additionally, the CHOYS app also features a mood tracker that monitors emotional health, meditation tools for stress relief, and step challenges to encourage physical activity.
These features create a holistic approach to employee wellbeing, making it easier for organisations to support their workforce's mental health and boost overall productivity. To know more about it, schedule a free demo and explore how it can add value to your employee wellness programs.
FAQs on Workplace Counselling
Q. What is workplace Counselling?
This is a type of counselling that is offered to the employees of a company to deal with their personal or professional issues. It aims to provide mental health support by addressing the issues that may be affecting their ability to perform at work.
Q. What are the types of employee Counselling techniques?
The types of employee counselling techniques are In-house Workplace Counselling Services, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), and Workplace Counselling Solutions like apps.
Q. How does workplace counselling help employees and employers?
Workplace counselling helps employees by offering them a safe space to share their problems and find solutions. On the other hand, it helps employers by improving employee performance and engagement.
Q. What is the difference between coaching and counselling in the workplace?
In the workplace, coaching is all about discussing the present and future, whereas counselling talks about the issues faced by employees in the past and present as well. Both coaching and counselling can help employees to deal with mental health issues.
Q. What are the methods of employee counselling?
There are three types of counselling - Employee Assistance Program (EAP), In-house Workplace Counselling Services, and Workplace Counselling Solutions (Apps, Technology). You can choose any of these services based on your requirements.
Q. What is the best employee counselling technique?
The best employee counselling technique is the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP offers support for a wide range of issues faced by employees. The information shared during the counselling is confidential.
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