Are Therapists to Blame for Ineffective Workplace Wellness Programs?

Curt and Katie chat about a recent New York Times article that claims that individual mental health interventions are not effective in the workplace. We explore that and other studies on workplace wellness programs, looking at what is ineffective, what actually works, and what roles therapists can play in improving outcomes for employees (and employers). We also take a quick look at the ethical or moral questions therapists face when being paid to do these programs.

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode we talk about a recent study on workplace wellness programs

In a recent New York Times article, they talked about a study that shows little efficacy of workplace wellness programs in the UK. We decided to dig deeper into the research and see what therapists need to know when signing on to provide these programs.

What does the research say about workplace wellness or individual-level mental health interventions on outcomes for employees and employers?

·      People in these programs are not better off than people who are not

·      Some desired outcomes (health markers, absenteeism, job performance) are not significantly better

·      Some positive clinical and employment outcomes from actual mental health programs

·      Individual solutions don’t solve systemic problems

What are the dynamics at play in employee well-being?

·      Things that do work: more compensation, more say in how their work looks

·      The difference between convenience and work-place wellness

·      Typically, organizations are not assessing efficacy of their own wellness programs

What is the therapist role in workplace wellness?

·      We know that many of these programs are ineffective – should we still continue to do them?

·      How should consumers of these products and programs inquire about efficacy or even completion?

·      Should therapists be concerned about whether people complete their course or find benefit from it?

·      Understanding what resources are available (and being encouraged to use them) may help folks to better benefit from them (as extrapolated from Curt’s undergraduate research)

What can clinicians do to support actual workplace wellness?

·      Don’t co-sign on the idea that the onus is on the individual to fix the system

·      Provide actual mental health interventions for mental health needs

·      Facilitate conversations about systemic problems and solutions

·      Support positive interventions for individuals that are doable and effective

·      Exploring the ethics of providing these programs

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

Our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined

Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:

Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/

Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/