Australian-owned workplace support, backed by Watkins Therapy Group
UrSpace EAP is the workplace wellbeing and Employee Assistance Program division of Watkins Therapy Group.
We provide confidential counselling, workplace support, mental health training and practical wellbeing services to organisations across Australia.
UrSpace is led by Benjamin Watkins, Director and Principal Therapist at Watkins Therapy Group. Benjamin established WTG with a clear focus on making professional counselling more accessible, personal and easier to navigate.
That same approach now guides UrSpace.
We believe employees should be able to access support without unnecessary barriers, confusing processes or feeling as though they are dealing with a distant corporate provider.
Our Approach
Our approach is professional, practical and human.
We recognise that every organisation is different. A small business, school, sporting organisation or national employer may each require a different level of support.
Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach,
we work with organisations to understand:
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The size and location of their workforce
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The types of support employees may need
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How employees will access the service
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How the EAP will be introduced and promoted
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The organisation’s reporting requirements
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Additional training or wellbeing priorities
We then develop a straightforward EAP arrangement that employees can understand and leaders can confidently promote.
Counseller-led Support
UrSpace is backed by the counselling team and professional oversight of Watkins Therapy Group.
Our counsellors are appropriately qualified, insured and registered with recognised professional associations, including PACFA and ACA where applicable.
Our team supports employees experiencing workplace concerns as well as personal challenges that may affect their wellbeing, relationships or ability to function at their best.
Employees can review available counsellors and choose someone whose experience, availability and approach feel suitable.
Confidentiality Matters
Employees need to trust that they can use an EAP without their private information being shared with their workplace.
Counselling sessions are confidential. Employers are not given access to an employee’s counselling notes, appointment discussions or personal clinical information.
Organisations may receive de-identified and aggregated usage information where this forms part of their EAP agreement. Reporting is intended to help organisations understand general utilisation and promote the service effectively, without identifying individual employees.
There may be limited circumstances where information must be disclosed due to legal, ethical or safety obligations. These circumstances are explained to clients as part of the counselling consent process.
48% of people with mental health problems said they would not be comfortable talking to their employer and only 55% of employees believe their manager is concerned about their wellbeing.
from National Employee Mental Wellbeing Survey
The impact to your Business
According to an ABS study, 45% of Australians between the ages of 16-85 will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. It is estimated that untreated mental health conditions cost Australian workplaces approximately $10.9 billion per year. This comprises $4.7 billion in absenteeism, $6.1 billion in presenteeism and $146 million in compensation claims.
The Good News...
1.
Organisations with strong organisational health (i.e. investment in quality people management) exhibit better service delivery performance.
Effective wellbeing programs are associated with stronger financial performance,
typically 2.2 times
above average.
2.
Implementing effective early intervention programs results in a five-fold return on investment, due to increased employee productivity.
3.
