Business booms for psychologists treating redundant staff

Psychologists working with financial services employees report that business is booming.

Phillip Hodson of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, said that enquiries are up more than 20% on last year.

&quotPeople are getting fired who never expected to go. Whole divisions are being made redundant there is bereavement, panic, shock and depression,&quot he said.

Similar symptoms are reported by Dr Neil Brener, of the Priory Clinic and the Rood Lane Medical Centre in the City of London. He said that referrals are up by between 15% and 20%.

Last year people were worried about their bonuses, Brener said. This year they are concerned about their jobs: &quotPeople who have spent their working lives in a hothoused environment are worried as to how they will cope with redundancy.&quot

Most patients are referred through employee assistance programmes run by employers, or through outplacement firms. Others seek help themselves and pay for their own treatment.

Brener said most of his City patients have not actually lost their jobs, but fear that they might.

The stress and uncertainty can lead to anxiety disorders, depression, and alcoholism.

For those who have been made redundant, Hodson said the main problem was a lack of identity. &quotIf you draw a sense of self-worth from your job, or from the money that it brings, redundancy will seriously affect your self-esteem.&quot

The good news is that progress can be made quite quickly. Brener said people often just needed space to talk about their feelings and fears.

Hodson said big improvements can be made in just two hour-long sessions. He urged his patients to reconsider who they really are. &quotIt's necessary to step back and ask yourself some deep questions. What, for example, gives you pleasure?&quot

Patients are also advised to pay attention to physical well-being. &quotIf you don't eat, you don't sleep, and if you don't exercise regularly, you will become mildly depressed&quot, said Hodson. &quotOver time, this can develop into a more serious condition.&quot

Relaxation techniques are recommended to counter stress. So is a balanced lifestyle. &quotIt may sound mad to some people, but it is not healthy to work for more than 8 hours a day,&quot said Hodson.

&quotAll organisms need to vary between tension and relaxation. A day should comprise 8 hours sleep, 8 hours work, and 8 hours play.&quot