Counselling at work.

[stevo as b4]

Since this stupid ridiculous stress thing that I've been told I have, I have been offered and given stress therapy counselling sessions at work. The idea of which sounds good and helpful to an extent. I have had 1session so far and missed 2 through work commitments.

I have felt quite a weight off my mind by being able to talk to someone that's not related to work, and explain my feelings, frustrations and how I sometimes am feeling un-fairly treated, although I always would do anything I can to help others and never ask for anything, which is part of the problem.

I've been given a stress and anxiety workbook and certain exercises to do, which have been useful and got me thinking about how I feel about things and what I may be able to do myself to control my feelings, and stop the worry and stress affecting me to much at work.

But today I have missed another session, due to having an out of area job in Stoke on Trent, and not being able to take the call at the arranged time. Now each time I miss an appointment my manager gets an email from the re-habilitation people and I have 7days to re-arrange a new appointment or they will discharge me from the support service.

If I contact them and say I have decided to not continue with the sessions and that I feel I don't need them any longer, I'm not sure if it will work against me if I end up having more time off sick, if the problems return or get worse. I just wondered if anyone has been in a similar situation with work provided physical or mental support or therapy, and has decided not to continue with the service offered and how did it affect you?

I would really like to forget all about the sorry business, and just go to work as normal, as the NHS medication I'm receiving is being a big help so far, and I really rate it!

Think I need to have a chat with my Union rep at work, as I just need to know if I refuse to have any more therapy sessions, can work penalise me or say my situation is my fault and refuse sick pay or being disaplinary action against me if things get bad again?

I don't have the time for all this sitting down talking to people, and I need to learn to fix problems for myself instead of needing help and support groups.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Not sure they would hold it against you or not (nearest I got to anything from work counselling was being told I was best off leaving the company ). But if possible probably worth keeping going. I know with me it would take months to even partly open up to some counsellor.

If work is hammering you so you can't get to the counselling that you require then that would seem to go rather hard against your employer.

All the best

Keith
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[hellkat]

It doesnt sound as if you have given the counselling a fair crack of the whip, you sound like you are pressurising yourself into putting too much commitment into doing the job - and not taking the time that you need for yourself to understand what is causing of your stress, and that is just compounding the stress.

What you have to acknowledge is that your mental health is your responsibility. So you have to make the time in your work schedule. Your work have agreed to provide you with counselling, they must also accept a certain level of disruption whilst you undergo that counselling. No amount of pressure to get on with the job should get in the way.

But they will also have a responsibility to note that you are missing sessions when they have agreed to provide them. I would expect that would go against you, and no reason why not. You claimed stress, they offered help, you accepted the help and then you didn't follow through with it, so you are still stressed. You can hardly expect them not to say "well of course, take more time off through stress-related stuff, but don't expect us to pay you for it, we tried to help ..."

You have to help yourself.

If you are scheduled for a session, you should, quite literally, down tools (whatever they may be) and do the session.

If it means you have to prepare your work before so that you can carry on with it after the session, then figure out how and when to do that, its part of prioritising. Or if you have to factor in getting to an area where you can "take the call", then factor that in, and don't let work get in the way of that.

And you should be prioritising your own ability to cope with the job as much as doing the job itself.

Don't burn yourself out.
MAKE the time.
Your union rep will probably say the same thing.
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[hellkat]

You're admitting that the workbook and the exercises ARE helping, ARE giving you food for thought, so why not take it a little further and make the time to see really if you can learn how to juggle work and pressure so that the stress (hopefully) melts away.

Its good that you acknowledge that you want to do little things to change the way you see stuff: that's part of cognitive behavioural therapy, and its a positive step forward, cos it means you know you need to help yourself, to make it work.
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[Pete.]

I think that your employer would love nothing better than for you to discharge yourself from any further treatment as that would mean that they have fulfilled their obligations on paper by providing the counselling and don't have to fork any more money on it. Since you have 1) failed to turn up for them all and 2) taken the decision to stop that would leave you to bear the majority of the liability should you suffer any further problem. On paper, at least - they would have a clean sheet. and you would be better off.

You've admitted that you found the one session a great help. Make sure you follow them up - you're whole well-being depends on it and your employer hasn't fulfilled their duty yet - they have started well by making the appointments, but that isn't much good if they don't allow you time from your schedule to attend them.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[unitynotsocri...]

I'd tell the employer that its causing more stress and that it would be better arranging with your boss,a n agreed positive 'stress plan ' between you,cutting out the parasites,adding flexibility for your health arrangements and boss 's interests.

You and boss are in a better position to deal with stress issues,easily and quicker and tailor made.Some counsellors tend to live in another fixed time far away from the realities of normal life where they still get paid if no one turns up and many impending realities of modern life are atrributed to 'your life choices' etc...go on ,things would get better for you and boss if you saved some money and simplified it.

AND GET DOWN THE SHRINK SECTION OF THE LIBARY AND LEARN ABOUT STRESS ,and much more!!
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