What Is a Workplace Counsellor - And Why It Matters More Than You Think

Every day, people come into work carrying more than their role suggests. They perform, deliver, and respond, all while privately managing stress, anxiety, grief, or burnout. And when there’s no safe space to pause or speak freely, those inner pressures can silently grow.

A workplace counsellor offers more than support during a crisis. They provide an ongoing, confidential space where emotions can be explored without judgement - consistently and with care. For many individuals, this is the first time they have somewhere to bring the weight they carry into work.

1. Mental health support that lasts longer than a lunchtime webinar

Research shows that mental health now accounts for around 28% of all sick days in the UK, with stress, depression and anxiety being the biggest contributors (Health and Safety Executive, 2023).

And yet, absence is just one part of the picture. Presenteeism - where employees are physically present but emotionally depleted - costs UK employers over £28 billion a year (Deloitte, 2022).

When people can access counselling before they hit breaking point, they’re not just more likely to stay in their role - they’re more likely to feel present and engaged in their own lives.

2. It’s not just a service. It’s a relationship.

Where many Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) or wellbeing apps offer brief interventions, workplace counselling offers continuity.

It gives people a consistent, private space to process difficult emotions, explore what’s underneath the surface, and feel less alone. That experience alone can change how someone relates to their work - and to themselves.

A UK study found that workplace counselling can be as effective as other short-term therapies, with significant improvements in anxiety, depression, and functioning, especially when employees feel safe and heard (McLeod, 2010).

3. What a dedicated counsellor really means

Having a counsellor embedded within a workplace does not make therapy compulsory or linked to performance. It means there is an independent, confidential, and consistent professional available - someone outside managerial or HR structures - who can attend to the individual’s psychological wellbeing.

Research into psychosocial safety climate (PSC) highlights the role of employees believing their wellbeing is genuinely valued. Access to a dedicated counsellor can support this belief, which research associates with reduced burnout, stronger engagement, and improved retention (Dollard & Bailey, 2021).

In practice, it means an employee can say, “I’m not okay,” and know they will be met with professional attention and care, outside the dynamics of workplace performance.

4. An introduction from The Farley

At The Farley, my work is grounded in a person-centred approach. I hold space for people without judgement, without agenda, and without trying to fix. This is where real change often begins.

When working with organisations, I carry the same ethos into the workplace. I integrate person-centred counselling with relational and trauma-informed perspectives, shaped to fit the specific emotional climate of each team.

Some businesses invite me to work in-house, while others offer counselling externally, but with the same values at the core: empathy, respect, and emotional presence.

This isn’t therapy to drive productivity. It’s therapy that recognises the humanity of your people, and that their wellbeing cannot be separated from the way they contribute at work.

5. If you’re exploring support for your team

If you’re reading this as a founder, HR lead or team manager, you may already know how much the emotional tone of a workplace matters - and how hard it can be to support people in a way that feels real.

There are plenty of external solutions out there, and some may be right for your team. But often what’s missing is space that feels safe, human, and consistent. A space distinct from performance reviews or wellbeing initiatives, where an individual can bring what is difficult without pressure to present well or resolve quickly.

That’s the kind of space I offer through The Farley. Whether I’m working with someone privately or as part of a team’s support, the intention is the same: to listen well, to meet people where they are, and to make space for what’s often unsaid.

6. A connected post: In-House Counselling and Why It Works

You can read more about in-house counselling in this follow-up blog post, Therapy for Employees That Works Because It Feels Human, where I explore how some companies integrate this model into their weekly rhythm, offering regular access without pressure.

Please feel free to reach out for a conversation. Read more about The Farley’s employee counselling service here.

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Further Reading & References

Health and Safety Executive (2023). Work-related stress, anxiety or depression statistics in Great Britain, 2023. Link

Deloitte (2022). Mental health and employers: The case for investment – pandemic and beyond. Link

BACP (n.d.). Workplace counselling effectiveness. Summary of evidence on counselling benefits at work.

Centre for Workplace Excellence (2024). Psychosocial safety climate: what it is and why it matters.