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Workplace therapy: A strategic investment in your employees

Published on

Sep 27th, 2025

Reviewed on

Sep 29th, 2025

Updated on

Sep 29th, 2025

Written by

Talkspace

Reviewed by

Laura Magnuson, MA, MS, LAMFT, VP of Clinical Engagement

Workplace therapy is no longer just a nice-to-have employee perk some companies offer. Therapy services are a strategic investment that promotes sustainable performance across your company. Beyond that, today’s workers expect it.

The evidence is clear: job burnout is at its highest it’s ever been. A recent study found that 66% of employees experience work-related burnout, and 65% state their job is a “very significant” or “somewhat significant” source of stress in their lives.

Offering access to mental health support benefits your employees and you, providing higher rates of productivity, retention, and a stronger brand reputation. Workplace counseling for employees is essential for individual well-being and for long-term organizational success. Continue reading to learn some of the key benefits of workplace counseling.

Why workplace therapy matters

Making counseling services available to employees is more important than ever if you want to achieve lasting success. The risks of ignoring mental health in the workplace can impact employee morale and your bottom line.

Understanding the importance of workplace counseling:

Stress and burnout impact productivity: Stressed or burned-out employees are more likely to miss work, which affects productivity and costs you money. Absenteeism due to mental health issues costs businesses billions globally every year. It affects entire teams and is detrimental to motivation and energy.
Employees have expectations: Today's employees want to work for companies that value mental health support. Employee mental health benefits now outrank perks like high salaries, promotion opportunities, and job titles.
Ignoring mental health comes at a cost: Stress-related healthcare expenses cost businesses nearly $190 billion annually, according to research. Legal and insurance claims go up, and the cost to replace burned-out employees is substantial.
There’s a stigma that prevents seeking support: Most companies today offer some form of wellness program or support services, yet many people aren’t comfortable enough to use their benefits. They might fear that doing so will hurt their career. By modeling openness and normalizing the importance of getting help when it’s needed, leadership can encourage use and improve outcomes.

^{EXPERT INSIGHTS
Just like taking care of an early cavity prevents potential root canals or complicated issues, early intervention with mental health can prevent crises. Caring for employee mental health not only prevents personal issues but also workplace productivity issues.}_{- Laura Magnuson, MA, MS, LAMFT, VP of Clinical Engagement}

Benefits of offering therapy in the workplace

There are multiple benefits of workplace counseling. It doesn't just reduce stress. It’s a proven way to build a thriving and resilient organization.

In 2025, 87% of Fortune 500 companies reported having formal wellness programs. Many see measurable improvements in things like employee satisfaction, workplace culture, and job retention. Employees who take advantage of counseling services tend to make healthier overall lifestyle choices and have fewer health-related absences annually. They’re also happier at work. Research shows that promoting wellness-focused work environments results in 24% higher job satisfaction rates.

Reduce absenteeism by tackling stress early

When employees are absent due to stress, the impact ripples throughout an organization. Absenteeism in the workplace affects every department and key performance metrics.

Wellness programs and services are known to reduce mental health-related absenteeism. Offering early access to workplace therapy ensures that employees have support in the workplace to effectively manage stress and prevent symptoms from worsening. This means they’ll get back to work faster and be better at their jobs.

Improve productivity with better mental focus

Productivity is more than just working long and hard hours. With the right type of mental health support, employees can stay focused and maintain the mental clarity they need to do their best work. Unhappy workers consistently underperform compared to well-adjusted peers. When stress takes over, focus slips, engagement goes down, and mistakes happen.

Boost morale through emotional support

Morale is critical to having a workplace environment that’s loyal, innovative, and respectful. By making therapy services accessible to employees, the people who work for you will trust that you value their well-being and support them emotionally, which will translate to improved morale and energy.

Enhance retention by prioritizing well-being

Focusing on emotional and mental well-being in the workplace enhances retention. Employees seek workplaces where their mental health is prioritized. Offering holistic benefits like a professional therapist can prevent burnout that could negatively impact your organization. Companies that invest in mental health resources and services are more likely to attract and retain top performers, ultimately saving on the cost of rehiring and retraining.

Attract top talent with a people-first culture

Top talent wants to work for top companies. The candidates you’re seeking are looking for organizations that are willing to invest in them. Some studies show that more than 86% of job seekers see mental healthcare as a key factor in their job search. If you find that you’re competing for skilled, experienced workers, having benefits packages with strong mental health components can set you apart from your competition.

Strengthen resilience during workplace challenges

Work isn’t always easy. When challenges arise, having access to therapy can be vital to the success of both employees and employers. From layoffs to mergers, policy changes to tragedies, every organization or employee can go through difficult periods. Offering support through a licensed therapist means your employees are better equipped to manage stress, take on new challenges and roles, and support others through change.

Foster collaboration through healthier communication

Workplace conflict isn’t unusual. If your company has experienced communication breakdowns that affect productivity and engagement, a targeted counseling program can help. Whether it’s unmanaged stress or emotional needs not being met, when employees have tools to express themselves, they can heal. Therapy teaches communication skills and conflict resolution. It can also be key to building organization-wide empathy.

Lower healthcare costs with preventive care

Employee mental healthcare programs can drive financial returns if they’re implemented effectively. Companies that provide employees with comprehensive wellness programs often see substantial economic benefits. Some research estimates that the ROI on employee wellness programs can be more than $3.00 for every $1.00 invested in mental health resources.

Types of workplace therapy

There are many simple but effective ways to include workplace therapy efforts across your organization. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach—you need to offer what your specific employees would benefit from.

On-site counseling

On-site counseling helps promote mental health awareness. Providing access to licensed counselors normalizes therapy and removes barriers. It not only reduces stigma but also helps catch potential concerns before they escalate.

Employee assistance programs (EAPs)

Employee assistance programs (EAPs) are commonly used in companies of all sizes and industries. EAPs offer employees free or low-cost counseling, crisis management, legal support, referrals, and financial guidance. One of the historical downsides to EAPs is low utilization rates. However, leadership can encourage EAP utilization by proactively modeling and promoting the features that your programs offer.

A significant benefit of EAPs is that they can be tailored to your employees’ specific needs. Whether it’s trauma support, short-term legal guidance, or counseling, EAPs allow you to become a stand-out employer.

Online therapy

Online therapy, like Talkspace offers, is convenient, affordable, confidential, and accessible. The platform prioritizes flexible schedules and employs culturally competent therapists who can meet diverse needs. You can also leverage analytics to track key metrics like impact, satisfaction, and engagement, so you know your investment is paying off.

^{EXPERT INSIGHTS
Therapists can utilize a variety of evidence based approaches. For example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is often used to help with burnout.}_{- Laura Magnuson, MA, MS, LAMFT, VP of Clinical Engagement}

Group therapy or workshops

Group therapy and workshops help build empathy in companies. They normalize the concept that everyone goes through difficult times. They can teach essential coping skills that help employees overcome challenges and manage stress effectively. Group sessions can cover a wide range of topics, from stress management for employees to burnout prevention. Workshops can be tailored to various groups, including leadership, management, new hires, and employees in transition.

How to implement workplace therapy

Once you’re ready to launch a workplace counseling program, this step-by-step plan will ensure you get everything right the first time.

Assess employees’ needs: Use anonymous surveys, interviews, or focus groups to identify the mental health challenges your employees face. These can also help you determine preferred formats and understand what barriers may prevent workers from seeking help.
Decide on delivery format: You might offer in-person, online, group options, or a hybrid mix of formats.
Partner with reputable, licensed providers: Using top-tier mental health platforms is essential. You can also build a qualified internal team, but for the best results, make sure therapists are licensed, credentialed, and well-aligned with cultural needs.
Promote workplace therapy internally: Create awareness through targeted campaigns and management training. Ensure that confidentiality is emphasized so employees feel safe and confident in seeking help.
Track usage and feedback: Pay attention to utilization rates and offer opportunities for post-session feedback.
Start small and scale: It’s OK to start slowly with one department or an identified high-risk group. Expand as you find success, see ROI, and feel positive shifts.

Workplace therapy FAQs

How does workplace counseling work?

Workplace counseling offers employees confidential, solution-focused therapy sessions with experienced and licensed mental health professionals. Sessions can be in person, online, via text or phone. Therapy should be tailored to personal challenges and needs. It can include goal setting, coping strategies, and implementing interventions as needed.

How to counsel employees in the workplace?

Training is a huge part of counseling employees in the workplace. Train leadership on active listening and how to empower people. Ensure they have practical tools they know how to use throughout the process. Confidentiality, empathy, and follow-up are all critical parts of workplace counseling.

How to measure ROI for workplace therapy?

Measuring ROI for workplace therapy can be tricky, but many digital platforms have built-in metrics that help. You can track absenteeism, turnover, productivity levels, and satisfaction scores at the beginning to use as baseline measures. Periodically revisit scores to see what your return on investment is over time.

What types of issues can workplace therapy help with?

Workplace counseling for employees can help with many common issues, including burnout, stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, interpersonal issues, and professional transitions. Therapy helps build lifelong resilience and healthy coping skills.

Make workplace therapy easy with Talkspace

Talkspace makes it easy to invest in workplace counseling. Partnering with us means you can offer online therapy to employees from the comfort of their homes.

With Talkspace, your employees will have access to virtual sessions and a wealth of digital resources. You’ll see measurable outcomes that show employees are happier and healthier, both at work and in their personal lives. Request a demo today to learn how Talkspace can be a crucial part of your efforts to improve workplace mental health.

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