Derek has extensive experience of workplace issues and working as part of EAP (employee assistance programme) organisations, supporting a range of major employers. He regularly provides focused, short term counselling to employees, who attend the London practice. Common issues presented are organisational change, work-related stress, redundancy, work/life balance, workplace relationships and bullying.
He also has particular expertise regarding the effects of trauma and in working with individuals, groups and managers. He has worked for a range of employing organisations following critical incidents that had an impact on their staff such as assaults, sudden deaths, industrial accidents and terrorist attacks (London bombings, July 2005; Oxford Circus terrorist alert, 2017; London Bridge attacks, 2017 & 2019). He has provided on-site management that included support and guidance for managers, individual defusion sessions and group sessions for over 140 of these since 2002.
As an employer, can I refer a member of staff for counselling?
Yes. Counselling referrals are accepted from employers. Counselling always has to be with the consent of the individual concerned. If you are considering this as an option, please get in touch for an informal discussion.
What are the benefits?
Employers increasingly recognise that providing counselling for an employee can demonstrate both a concern for the person's welfare and be cost effective. If an individual is experiencing difficulties either at work or in their home life, this can have a significant impact on their work performance, relationships with colleagues and attendance.
Confidentiality - would any information about the sessions be available to me as the employer?
For the process to be effective, the content of sessions remains confidential. However, with the consent of the employee, confirmation of attendance or other information can be provided to the employer. Confidentiality also has a boundary with regard to risk of harm to a third party or to the organisation and this is discussed with the referred client at the beginning of the first session.
When and where would counselling take place?
Sessions are held at counselling rooms in East Dulwich. From receipt of the referral, the individual would be contacted within 48 hours and it is usually possible to offer an appointment within five working days. There is flexibility for daytime or evening appointments.
How many sessions might be needed?
When organisations or businesses pay for employees' counselling it is usually time-limited, often providing individuals with up to six sessions. Significant change occur in this time and sometimes fewer sessions are needed.
If you are concerned that alcohol or drug use might be having an impact on your workplace, you might find that it is difficult to know how to begin to address the problem. A member of staff might indicate this through behaviour, performance or sickness absence. Often there is an underlying issue which can be addressed with the help of counselling in combination with practical specialist help to address the behaviour. Derek has many years experience of work in the substance misuse field, including supporting employers with workplace problems.
