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5 Ways Having a Corporate Therapist in the Workplace Improves Company Culture and Boosts Employee Retention

Heather Rafanello, MSW, LCSW

@GrowingMindsetTherapy 

The culture of the world we live in continues to become more demanding, and more fast-paced day by day. Companies performance is directly related to the performance of their employees, and employee performance is directly impacted by their individual well-being. 

Forward-thinking companies recognize this, and understand the value of having a mental health professional on staff for employees to improve their well-being. 

By making mental health support accessible to employees on site, during work hours, companies can experience the rewards of increased productivity, higher achieving employees, and increased performance because each employee will feel valued, seen, healthier, and happier.

1. Improving employee Mental Health

Duh, we know! One of the obvious benefits of having a corporate therapist is the improvement of employee mental health. Some prevalent challenges that employees face at the workplace are stress, anxiety, and burnout. These directly impact an employees performance, focus, attendance, and more. These are things that many people seek a therapist for, but this comes with the challenge of finding someone, dedicating time to sessions, and the financial burden. Corporate therapists provide this safe and healing space for employees to tackle these stressors and more, in an accessible, and convenient way. 

Mental health therapists work with clients to identify coping strategies, implore stress reduction strategies, and provide valuable insights that can enhance the client’s well-being, related to their work and personal lives. 

2. Improve Interpersonal Skills:

In addition to providing emotional support, mental health therapists often teach effective communication and conflict resolution skills, which are vital for employees to practice at work. In addition to providing 1:1 support, corporate therapists facilitate workshops and training sessions that work to improve communication, and foster leadership skills. These skills encourage employees to express their creativity and ideas, collaborate more effectively, and resolve conflicts in healthy and productive ways, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and supportive culture.

3. Increasing Productivity and Performance:

Mental health can significantly impact an employee's productivity and performance, in both positive and negative ways. When someone is struggling with, or overwhelmed by stress, their focus declines. In addition to helping individuals manage their emotional challenges, and improve their performance, corporate therapists can support employees in improving their time management skills, and organizational strategies. Therapy is a space where clients, and employees, can work through underlying stressors, freeing up their bandwidth making space to regain focus, and motivation. 

4. Prevention and Early Intervention:

What many people don’t realize, is that therapists can serve as case managers too. Corporate therapists play a vital role in linking their clients to other health and wellness providers, providing more holistic care. Additionally, corporate therapists can provide both preventative and reactive long-term mental health support. When companies bring on a corporate therapist, they create a culture that encourages proactive mental health care, which helps identify and address potential challenges even before they escalate. Preventative support can reduce absenteeism, workplace conflicts, ultimately preventing disruptions to productivity and performance.

5. Strengthening Employee Engagement and Satisfaction:

According to a 2022 Gallup study, 61% of employees want a greater work-life balance and better personal well-being. Offering employees the opportunity to meet with a Corporate Therapist allows them to feel supported and valued, and as a result, their engagement and satisfaction increase - we’re no finance buffs but that seems like a great ROI. 

Corporate therapists can support employees in navigating professional challenges, fostering emotional well-being, and creating a sense of belonging. Corporate therapy is an investment, and a commitment to employees growth and well-being, residually fostering a positive work environment.

Corporate therapists offer many benefits, beyond what is mentioned above, to both employees and companies as a whole. By prioritizing employee mental health, organizations demonstrate support, value, and an inclusive environment for individuals to thrive both personally and professionally. 

It’s no secret that mental health directly impacts a person’s well-being, and having positive mental health support can lead to better engagement, productivity, and ultimately increased employee satisfaction. These factors are predictors of a company's  success and growth, further validating the importance of embracing corporate therapy as a powerful way to improve an organization's overall success.

DISCLAIMER: This article is not intended to treat, or diagnose and medical conditions, nor is it a replacement for mental health or medical treatment. If you or someone you know is in need of clinical support, our team is able to provide therapy services to those in NJ and FL. Contact us to learn more. If you or someone you know is in need of immediate support please contact emergency services. U.S. Mental health crisis line: dial 988 ; medical emergency dial 911