While every manager and executive dreams of a world in which their workplace always runs smoothly, unfortunately, difficulties in the workplace can happen. Most of the time, the human resources (HR) department can resolve problems with employees, but in some cases, HR may require expert guidance from mental health professionals to solve specific issues. Here, we describe what licensed professional counselors do and how they can aid HR with employees that are struggling in the workplace.
What Is a Licensed Professional Counselor and What Do They Do?
A licensed professional counselor (LPC) is a licensed mental health counselor with master’s degree-level training and clinical experience in diagnosing and counseling people with mental health concerns. Depending on the counselor, they can address many issues that affect a person’s mental health, including mind, body, spirituality, and more.
Certified Rehabilitation Counselors
At some organizations, like Atlanta Specialized Care, some LPCs also hold certifications as certified rehabilitation counselors. These counselors further specialize in helping people with general mental health concerns and those with ADHD, autism, and other learning differences. People who experience these difficulties are called “neurodivergent,” as their cognitive abilities “diverge” or are high in some skills, like visualization, but low in others, like maintaining focus. Neurodivergent individuals may have trouble being happy or productive in certain environments that cause them emotional distress or are distracting, such as the constant noise of conversations at cubicles, or frequent meetings throughout the day. Fortunately, counselors can be consulted so that accommodations can be identified and implemented in the workplace for these individuals.
How Licensed Professional Counselors Can Help in The Workplace
Identifying Issues in The Workplace
While HR professionals have no trouble identifying problems in the workplace, LPCs can help identify the root emotional causes behind these problems and then advise HR on how to proceed. Common issues in the workplace the LPC consultants address include performance decline, judgement issues, poor emotional intelligence, difficulty following through on assignments, absenteeism, and difficulty making decisions. Commonly, these can be caused by a traumatic event on-site, communication issues within or between teams, or neurodiverse individuals who are struggling in workplace conditions that are not suited for their needs, as mentioned above.
Solving Issues With an Emotional Approach
Using approaches from psychology and neuroscience, LPCs can provide counseling that addresses the core of these issues and offer sustainable solutions. LPC consultants can counsel employees after traumatic events to help them work through difficult emotions. They can advise HR professionals when working through team and employee performance issues to make sure emotional needs are being met. In addition, they can identify employee strengths, unique needs, and appropriate accommodations they may need for success, such as noise-cancelling headphones or a more flexible work/meeting schedule if the employee is neurodivergent. If an employee needs further individualized care, HR can support this employee by referring them to treatment at Atlanta Specialized Care.
Workplace Consultations with Atlanta Specialized Care
Overall, the expertise of licensed professional counselors can help resolve issues in the workplace and ensure everyone, from human resources to employees, are happy and able to work efficiently. At Atlanta Specialized Care, we have two LPCs who are also certified rehabilitation counselors and are eager to advise your business: our clinical director, Tatiana Matthews, MS, LPC, CRC, as well as Natalie Stadnick-Uhl, M. Div, APC, CRC.
To arrange a workplace consultation with our highly skilled counselors, please call us at (770) 815-6853, or request an appointment here.
We care deeply about helping anyone struggling with trauma, social and communication challenges, and other psychological difficulties. We look forward to providing specialized care that will help your employees and your business perform to the best of their abilities!
