Does Workplace Counselling Work?

A major new study by Professor John McLeod of the University of Abertay, Dundee, shows that counselling can reduce levels of stress in the workplace by more than 50 per cent.

Professor McLeod says that after Workplace Counselling:

• Levels of work-related symptoms return to the normal range for more than half of all clients
• Levels of sickness and absence ALSO fall by between 25-50%.
  (In one 1998 study by Professor Cary Cooper of the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, the rates of sickness/absence actually fell by an average of 60 per cent).
• Levels of job commitment and satisfaction ALSO rise.
• Levels of substance abuse are reduced.

Stress needs defining - a life without any stress is actually called death! But 'overstress' is demonstrably destructive. It's not just stress that can be treated by workplace counselling though. Workplace counselling is effective in relieving the symptoms of both anxiety AND depression. In fact, Professor McLeod found that people who need workplace counselling show signs of psychological distress equivalent to that found in out-patient psychiatric hospitals.

Workplace Counselling is valued by staff;

• The majority of those who use workplace counselling say they are "highly satisfied" with it.
• The same number would use the service again (if necessary) and would recommend it to their colleagues.

Some useful facts about Counselling;

• Counselling helps people respond differently and quickly to stressfull or anxiety-creating situations.
• All styles of counselling turn out to be helpful. It is more important to see a well-trained practitioner than opt for one particular approach.
• Professor McLeod's report suggests that successful results can be achieved after as little as 3-8 sessions of counselling.

AND Workplace counselling covers its financial costs.

"This report by Professor McLeod not only demonstrates the positive emotional outcomes but also makes a first-rate business case. For every $1 spent through Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) on workplace counselling - between $6-10 was being saved for our Company with the workforce receiving the direct benefit. I believe that we are a far more efficient organisation with counselling in place through the use of EAP"

Dr Mike Doig, Medical Director Chevron (Europe); Member of the UK Offshore Health Advisory Committee.

"However much we try to minimise sources of stress in the workplace and however much we work to improve employees' resilience to pressure, we cannot influence what happens to our people outside the workplace and we have to acknowledge that there will always be some people who will need help.

The provision of counselling services through an Employee Assistance Programme ensures that our staff always has somewhere to turn when life's pressures start to build up. Whether the primary source of stress lies within or outside the workplace, its early resolution will facilitate a rapid return to productivity by removing the distraction and worry caused by the unresolved problem".

Dr Marian Roden, Senior Medical Director, Corporate Health Management, SmithKline Beecham, UK

Technical note: the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy report on 'Counselling in the Workplace - The Facts' by Professor John McLeod of the University of Abertay, Dundee, examines over 80 separate studies, published and unpublished, spanning a period between 1954 and 2000 reflecting the experiences of more than 10,000 clients who have made use of workplace counselling.

The 108 page report can be obtained from Book Sales at;

BACP
1 Regent Place
Rugby
CV21 2PJ

Price: £18, p&p free.