Employee Mental Health Support and Return to Work

What if returning to work didn't have to feel so overwhelming?

Imagine having a valued employee who wants to feel like themselves again.

Someone who previously managed their responsibilities with confidence but is now experiencing anxiety, emotional exhaustion or difficulties following a period of illness.

Perhaps they've been away from work for several weeks or months.

They may miss their colleagues, their routine and the sense of purpose their work once gave them.

But the thought of returning brings up more questions than answers.

Will I cope?

What if everyone asks where I've been?

What if I can't manage the workload?

What if the anxiety returns?

And perhaps the biggest question of all,

What if I'm not the person I was before?

For employers, knowing how best to support someone in this position isn't always straightforward.

You value your employee. You recognise their contribution. And you'd like to see them feeling healthier, happier and more confident again.

What if you could offer confidential, individual support to help them feel calmer, rebuild their confidence and take their next steps with greater ease?

At Phoenix Hypnotherapy, I provide individual emotional wellbeing support for employees experiencing anxiety, stress, trauma-related difficulties and challenges with confidence.

Based in Cheltenham, I work with businesses in Gloucester, across Gloucestershire and throughout the UK, providing confidential one-to-one hypnotherapy sessions online.

Employers can arrange to fund these sessions as part of their employee wellbeing provision.

Could one of your employees benefit from additional support?

Arrange a free initial conversation with Lesley to explore what may be appropriate for your organisation.

How can employers support employees on long-term sickness absence?

When an employee has been absent because of anxiety, stress or emotional difficulties, the challenges they're experiencing aren't always visible.

They may be recovering from prolonged stress, dealing with difficult personal circumstances or experiencing anxiety that affects their confidence and everyday life.

And sometimes, as their absence continues, the thought of returning to work becomes another source of worry.

They might feel guilty about colleagues covering their workload.

Embarrassed about how long they've been away.

Concerned about what their manager might think.

Or frightened that returning to the same environment could bring back the feelings they've been struggling with.

It's not unusual for someone in this situation to be particularly hard on themselves.

They may expect themselves to recover more quickly, cope better or simply get on with things.

Yet they would probably show far more understanding towards a colleague experiencing exactly the same difficulties.

I've explored this tendency in my article Why are we kinder to our friends than we are to ourselves?.

For employers, offering individual emotional wellbeing support can demonstrate that an employee remains valued, even when they are unable to attend work.

It's not about rushing someone back into their role.

It's about supporting their wellbeing, rebuilding confidence where appropriate and helping them feel better equipped for whatever comes next.

Can hypnotherapy help with anxiety about returning to work?

Imagine an employee who has been away from work for several months.

They may genuinely want to return.

But every time they think about doing so, their mind starts presenting them with reasons to worry.

They imagine conversations with their manager.

They rehearse explanations for colleagues.

They picture themselves making mistakes, struggling with their workload or not coping as well as they used to.

Before anything has even happened, they've already experienced the worry of it many times over.

This is something I explore in my article Why do I keep having conversations and arguments in my head?.

Hypnotherapy may help individuals develop different responses to anxiety-provoking thoughts and situations.

Rather than continually anticipating what might go wrong, we can work towards helping them feel calmer, more confident and more comfortable with uncertainty.

Sessions may focus on:

• Managing anxiety and excessive worrying.

• Rebuilding confidence and self-belief.

• Addressing unhelpful thought patterns.

• Developing relaxation and emotional regulation skills.

• Exploring emotional responses associated with previous experiences.

• Building confidence when approaching situations that currently feel overwhelming.

The focus isn't simply on what someone wants to stop experiencing.

It's about how they want to feel instead.

Perhaps they want to wake up without immediately worrying about the day ahead.

Have conversations without mentally rehearsing every possible outcome.

Feel confident making decisions again.

Or begin looking towards the future with greater optimism.

Everyone's circumstances are different, and individual outcomes vary. Hypnotherapy may complement appropriate medical and occupational health care, but it does not replace recommended treatment or guarantee a return to work.

Imagine helping someone feel more confident about their next step.

If an employee is struggling with anxiety or worries about returning to work, book a free initial discussion to explore whether individual support might be suitable.

How can individual employee mental health support benefit your business?

When an employee is experiencing emotional difficulties, employers often want to help but aren't always sure what additional support might be appropriate.

An Employee Assistance Programme may already be available.

Occupational health may be involved.

A phased return may have been discussed.

But sometimes an employee would benefit from more individual support with the anxiety, confidence difficulties or emotional responses they're experiencing.

Employer-funded hypnotherapy can provide another option within a wider employee wellbeing programme.

For your business, this can mean:

• Demonstrating that you value employees as individuals.

• Providing access to personalised emotional wellbeing support.

• Complementing your existing occupational health and employee assistance services.

• Supporting employees experiencing anxiety, stress or confidence difficulties.

• Offering confidential support during sickness absence or a return-to-work transition.

• Helping create a workplace culture where seeking support is encouraged.

For an employee, knowing their employer is willing to invest in their wellbeing may help them feel recognised, valued and supported.

Because supporting an employee is about more than helping them return to their desk. It's about recognising the person behind the job title.

Can an employer fund confidential hypnotherapy sessions for an employee?

Yes.

Phoenix Hypnotherapy offers individual sessions that employers can fund as part of their employee wellbeing provision.

The employer and I can agree the practical arrangements, including the number of sessions being funded and the associated fees.

The employee then has the opportunity to discuss their individual needs privately with me and decide whether they would like to proceed.

Participation is entirely voluntary.

Confidentiality is central to this arrangement.

The employer is not entitled to details of what an employee discusses during their therapeutic sessions simply because the employer is paying.

Any necessary sharing of personal information is managed in accordance with professional confidentiality, applicable data protection requirements and relevant legal or safeguarding obligations.

This enables the employer to provide financial support while respecting the employee's privacy.

Supporting an employee can be simpler than you might think.

If you're considering funding individual sessions, I'd be happy to explain how the arrangements work, including confidentiality, session fees and the initial consultation.

Arrange a free conversation about employer-funded support.

Can hypnotherapy help employees rebuild confidence after long-term sickness?

Extended periods away from work can sometimes affect how people see themselves.

An employee who previously felt capable and confident may begin questioning their abilities.

They might wonder whether they still have the skills they once had.

Whether colleagues will see them differently.

Or whether they'll ever feel as comfortable at work as they did before.

Confidence can be affected by the beliefs we develop about ourselves, particularly following difficult experiences.

In my article Why do I lack confidence? The belief that's usually hiding underneath it, I explore how these beliefs can influence our thoughts and responses.

Individual hypnotherapy sessions may help employees work towards greater self-belief and a different relationship with the situations that currently cause them concern.

Imagine someone beginning to trust their judgement again.

Feeling more comfortable having conversations.

Recognising that a difficult period in their life doesn't have to define who they are.

And gradually rediscovering a sense of confidence in themselves.

These are the kinds of personal changes we may work towards through individual sessions.

Can hypnotherapy support employees experiencing trauma or PTSD?

Some employees may be living with the emotional effects of traumatic experiences, including PTSD or CPTSD.

These experiences may be connected with work, personal circumstances or events from much earlier in life.

Their effects can sometimes influence confidence, sleep, relationships, emotional wellbeing and everyday functioning.

I specialise in anxiety and emotional trauma and can discuss whether hypnotherapy may be suitable for an individual's circumstances.

Where PTSD or more complex mental health difficulties are involved, appropriate clinical assessment and evidence-based treatment remain important.

Hypnotherapy should not replace recommended PTSD treatment, and any additional support must be considered carefully in the context of the individual's needs.

Can individual hypnotherapy support a phased return to work?

For some employees, returning to work after a prolonged absence is best approached gradually.

A phased return might involve reduced hours, adjusted responsibilities or changes to the working environment.

While employers, employees and relevant healthcare professionals are responsible for agreeing suitable return-to-work arrangements, individual hypnotherapy may provide complementary emotional support.

Sessions can focus on anxiety about returning, confidence difficulties and responses to situations the employee currently finds challenging.

The purpose is to help the individual feel better supported, not to impose a particular return-to-work date.

Fitness-for-work decisions and workplace adjustments remain matters for appropriate medical, occupational health and employment processes.

Looking to support an employee through a difficult transition?

Let's explore whether confidential one-to-one sessions could complement your existing occupational health and return-to-work arrangements.

Book a free initial conversation.

Why choose Phoenix Hypnotherapy for individual employee wellbeing support?

I'm Lesley Ford, an award-winning Clinical Hypnotherapist specialising in anxiety, emotional trauma, stress and confidence.

I've worked as a therapist since 2005, bringing experience in hypnotherapy, NLP, EFT and coaching.

I'm registered with the General Hypnotherapy Council and have received multiple awards recognising my work in clinical hypnotherapy and emotional wellbeing.

My approach focuses on the individual and the changes they would like to experience.

Rather than concentrating solely on the difficulties someone is facing, we explore how they would prefer to feel, think and respond.

I recognise that employees experiencing emotional difficulties need to feel listened to, respected and supported without pressure or judgement.

I also understand that employers want to offer meaningful assistance while respecting employees' privacy.

Sessions are delivered privately online through Zoom, allowing employees to access support wherever they are based in the UK.

Frequently asked questions about employee mental health and return-to-work support

Can an employer pay for an employee's hypnotherapy sessions?

Yes. Employers can arrange to fund individual hypnotherapy sessions as part of their employee wellbeing provision. The number of sessions, fees and payment arrangements can be agreed in advance.

Can hypnotherapy help someone return to work after anxiety or stress?

Hypnotherapy may help some individuals manage anxiety, develop confidence and respond differently to situations they find challenging.

It can complement medical care, occupational health advice and appropriate return-to-work planning. However, outcomes vary, and returning to work cannot be guaranteed.

What support can employers offer staff on long-term sick leave?

Employers can maintain appropriate communication, consider reasonable adjustments, seek occupational health guidance and offer access to suitable wellbeing services.

Confidential individual hypnotherapy may be one additional option where the employee wishes to participate and the support is appropriate.

Can an employer refer an employee for individual hypnotherapy?

An employer can introduce an employee to Phoenix Hypnotherapy and offer to fund sessions.

However, participation must be the employee's choice. A private initial consultation helps establish whether hypnotherapy is suitable.

Will an employer know what is discussed during hypnotherapy sessions?

Therapeutic discussions remain confidential, subject to applicable legal, professional and safeguarding requirements.

The employer funding the sessions does not automatically receive access to the employee's personal or clinical information.

How many hypnotherapy sessions might an employee need?

This depends on the individual's concerns, circumstances and therapeutic goals.

Following an initial consultation, we can discuss an appropriate approach and review progress as sessions continue.

Can employees receive hypnotherapy while they're still on sick leave?

Yes, where participation is appropriate for their circumstances and they wish to receive support.

Sessions are delivered online, so employees do not need to attend the workplace to access them.

Can hypnotherapy help employees who have lost confidence?

Hypnotherapy may help individuals explore unhelpful beliefs, develop different responses to challenging situations and work towards greater confidence.

The approach is tailored to each person, and results vary.

Is individual employee mental health support available outside Gloucestershire?

Yes. Phoenix Hypnotherapy is based in Cheltenham, but individual online sessions are available throughout the UK.

How much does employer-funded individual hypnotherapy cost?

Fees depend on the agreed support arrangements and number of sessions.

Employers are welcome to contact me to discuss their requirements and receive a quotation.

Could one of your employees benefit from additional emotional support?

Perhaps you have a valued employee who's experiencing anxiety or emotional difficulties.

Perhaps someone has been absent for some time and is concerned about what comes next.

Or perhaps you're looking to provide confidential, personalised support as part of your employee wellbeing benefits.

You don't have to have all the answers before starting a conversation.

We can discuss what support your organisation would like to make available, how individual sessions could be arranged and the options for employer funding.

Let's start with a conversation.

Book your free initial conversation with Lesley

Alternatively, call 07376 622015.

Looking for wellbeing support for your wider team?

Discover my Workplace Wellbeing and Stress Management sessions for group relaxation and ongoing employee wellbeing programmes in Cheltenham, Gloucester and across Gloucestershire.