Psychological ServicesWorkplace Counselling.
KINNECT's Workplace Counselling service helps mitigate the impact of psychosocial risks before they become a claim — and before psychological issues cause harm to your employees.
The short version
Workplace Counselling is a KINNECT early-intervention service delivered by registered or provisional psychologists and rehabilitation counsellors. It helps employees work through psychosocial issues — workload, relationships, conflict, perceived safety, life stressors — before they escalate into a medicalised psychological condition or workers’ compensation claim. Sessions are typically run virtually over around five appointments, with business-aware feedback to the employer so the workplace can support recovery.
Counselling that helps your employees get ahead of psychosocial risk.
In a large percentage of workers’ compensation claims, psychosocial factors are a main contributor to the claim’s outcome and recovery timeframe — over and above any medical factors.
Workplace Counselling is an early-intervention service that helps resolve these issues before they become a medicalised psychological condition or compensation claim — and before they quietly damage productivity, morale and the worker’s relationship with the team.
Counselling is delivered by registered or provisional psychologists and rehabilitation counsellors who understand the interaction between health, rehabilitation, psychosocial factors and the workplace.
Spot the signs early — before they become a claim.
In both physical and psychological workplace rehabilitation cases, psychosocial risk factors don’t just slow recovery — they can compound or complicate it, and reduce the chance of a successful return to work.
Outside the claims environment, unaddressed psychosocial and personal concerns hit productivity and morale. Common warning signs include:
- Absenteeism or presenteeism
- Repeat health-issue presentations
- Workplace conflict between team members
- A drop in performance or output
- Employees reporting feeling overwhelmed at work or in life
A structured, low-pressure pathway.
From the first referral to follow-through with the workplace — a clear four-step process built for confidentiality and outcomes.
- 01
Triage & matching
We match an appropriately qualified KINNECT allied health professional with the referred worker — making sure their approach, style and specific traits fit the situation — and address any questions or concerns the referrer has.
- 02
Virtual sessions
The worker receives counselling — generally across five sessions — focused on listening, supporting and resolving the issues impacting them at work. Sessions are virtual by default, so the worker accesses the best-match clinician regardless of location, with faster booking and shorter notice.
- 03
Tools & resources
The worker is given practical tools and resources to independently manage what they’re experiencing and understand the factors driving it — often with links to further supports.
- 04
Collaboration with the workplace
KINNECT works closely with the workplace so that recommendations meet business needs. Our team provides the right balance of support, disclosure and business acumen to land a positive outcome for both worker and employer.
Sessions are virtual by default — participants often feel safer accessing counselling from somewhere comfortable, and virtual delivery means faster appointments, shorter notice and the best-match clinician regardless of location. In-person sessions are available where preferred.
Workplace Counselling — answered.
The questions HR, safety and people leaders most often ask before referring their first worker.
We already have an EAP. How is Workplace Counselling different?
Employee Assistance Programs are a valuable employee benefit, but because they are completely anonymous, employers have no insight into whether support has been accessed, what was presented, or whether counsellor recommendations are workable in your business. KINNECT’s Workplace Counselling matches an appropriately qualified allied health professional with the employee and provides the right balance of support, disclosure and business acumen — so the workplace can actually support the worker’s recovery.
What if the psychological issues aren’t related to work?
Mental ill-health or psychosocial issues don’t have to be work-related to impact work — presenteeism, absenteeism, poor productivity and interpersonal difficulties are common spillovers. SuperFriend’s 2023 Indicators of a Thriving Workplace report shows organisations that invest in mental health capability can lift productivity at the same time, and Return to Work South Australia (2023) estimates a $15 return for every $1 spent on effective mental-health initiatives.
What if the worker is concerned about confidentiality?
During triage we establish what — if anything — the workplace would like feedback on. Some employers simply want to give their worker a confidential professional to lean on. Others want to understand how to help, which requires a certain level of shared understanding. Whatever the arrangement, KINNECT is transparent with the worker in the first session about what will be kept confidential, and any information shared with the workplace is discussed with the individual first.
Are we strictly limited to five sessions per worker?
No. If the issue is resolved earlier, or further intervention won’t be beneficial, KINNECT stops sooner. The workplace can also set a different cap — for example three sessions per employee, or approval of an extra one or two sessions on a case-by-case basis where a specific concern needs more time.
Can sessions be conducted in person rather than virtually?
Yes. Sessions can be run in person if that’s preferred — KINNECT will discuss the options with you as part of the referral triage.
Will the allocated counsellor be a psychologist?
KINNECT has a number of psychologists of varying experience. We also have allied health professionals — including rehabilitation counsellors — who, depending on the concern and approach required, may be a better fit than a psychologist. We’ll discuss the options during triage so you get the best-match consultant for each worker.
More from KINNECT’s Psychological Services.
Workplace Counselling sits alongside a wider suite of psychological services — from prevention through to claims and conflict.
Psychological Injury Management
Coordinated, evidence-based management of psychological injury claims to help workers recover and return.
Learn moreAdjustment to Injury Counselling
Short-course counselling to help injured workers adjust to their injury and stay engaged in recovery.
Learn morePsychological Capacity Evaluations
Independent evaluations that inform return-to-work, redeployment and fitness-for-duty decisions.
Learn moreFacilitated Discussion
Independently facilitated discussions to resolve workplace conflict and remove return-to-work barriers.
Learn more
Support your people before it becomes a claim.
Make a referral or request a tailored quote — one of our team will be in touch to discuss your workforce and how Workplace Counselling can fit into your wellbeing program.