Is Counselling a Health Hazard to Counsellors? Occupational Stress and Occupational Health for Counsellors

Abstract

A questionnaire survey of 85 counsellors investigated potential contributors to stress in the workplace and valued coping strategies. The sample consisted of three groups: a Government group, a Private group and a Religious group, which represented three different types of work organisation. Recent research suggests that organisational factors contribute to occupational stress, and that personal coping strategies may not alleviate stress appreciably. The results of the study indicated that the most stressed group was the Government group of counsellors, that the most highly rated contributor to stress was management attitudes and that the most valued coping strategies were organisational in nature rather than personal.

Stress and Burnout Among Rehabilitation Counsellors Within the Context of Insurance-Based Rehabilitation: An Institutional-Level Analysis

“…Thus, the conflicts and pressures that are already associated with the delivery of rehabilitation are likely to be magnified by the entry of political, financial and legal organisations into the rehabilitation market. Indeed, institutional conflicts, such as those identified by Chinnery et al (1995), are likely to be more evident in this context than anywhere else in the rehabilitation sector.…”

“…An Australian study conducted by Chinnery et al (1995) has indicated that the institutional level of analysis may be a fruitful avenue for future research into stress and burnout in the rehabilitation sector. Chinnery et al examined burnout in three different rehabilitation contexts, namely government, private and religious.…”

Rehabilitation Counselling Theory and Quality Practice Reported inThe Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling

“…Papers included frameworks for assisting clients to negotiate with key stakeholders in various workers' compensation (Budd, 1997;Kearns, McCarthy 6k Sheehan, 1997;Nowland, 1997) and other rehabilitation systems (Crisp, 1995;Walker, 1999;Walker 6k Wiegmann, 1995). Several papers addressed the need for RCs to manage systemic barriers and/or stressors as part of their rehabilitation practice and professional self-care (Buys & Kendall, 1998;Chinnery et al, 1995;Kearns et al, 1997;Kenny, 1995Kenny, , 1998aMitchell, 1997). Data from Table 1 indicates that authors who wrote from a systems perspective advocated several methods of quality practice, these mostly being case management and relationship building; and to a lesser extent, assessment and self-care.…”