Consultancy services

Changes such as restructuring, technological advances, and expanding workloads have an impact on most organisations.   The fast pace of change and the associated difficulties of adjustment affect employees in different ways, and may be reflected in the following ways:

• Noticeable discomfort / conflict among staff.
• Disengagement from the organisation.
• Increased rates of illness / injury.
• Poor morale / declining job satisfaction.
• Increased absenteeism.

Organisations that implement programs focused on workplace well-being receive a significant return on their investment through increased productivity, job satisfaction and general well-being.

ALTERNATIVES Consulting Psychologists has achieved successful outcomes in the provision of services to government and corporate groups as well as small-medium sized businesses.  Examples of work we have carried out successfully with corporate, community, and government personnel include:

• Coaching managers and supervisors to enhance leadership skills.
• Improving well-being in high-pressured work environments.
• Building better teams and work groups.
• Providing mediation and conflict resolution services.
• Coaching for performance enhancement.
• Improving communication and / or interpersonal skills in work teams.
• Improving supervision skills for team leaders and supervisors.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

When employees feel constantly worried, depressed or pressured, this affects their ability to:

• Concentrate and focus on the job at hand.
• Recall information quickly.
• Make considered decisions.
• Interact sociably with others.
• Maintain expected productivity levels.

Workplace counselling services, known as Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), allow employees to discuss and resolve issues which may be affecting their well-being, performance, or motivation.  At Alternatives Consulting Psychologists, we assist employees to:

• Identify patterns of negative thinking or behaviours.
• Manage emotional responses such as anger, anxiety, and depression.
• Develop strategies for achieving positive change.
• Focus on achievable and realistic goals.

EAP sessions are short-term and solution-focused.  Usually 3-4 sessions are sufficient to assist employees to achieve noticeable changes.  We are flexible with appointment times and can organise after-hours sessions for employees.  As with any counselling sessions, all discussions are confidential.

Mediation / Conflict Resolution

Alternatives Consulting Psychologists are experienced in managing conflict situations. We have provided effective mediation sessions with government, community, and corporate groups.

The duration of mediation sessions depends on the complexity of the issues and the willingness of the parties to resolve their dispute. Typically, an average mediation service is 6-8 hours, and includes initial interviews, facilitation of the session, reporting, and follow-up with all parties.  A written agreement is drawn up and signed off by both parties on completion of the session to ensure there are no misunderstandings, and that agreements are followed.  All parties take away a copy and the agreement is forwarded to management as a record of outcomes achieved.

Some key features which have contributed to successful outcomes in our mediation sessions include:

• Meeting with each party to ensure clear understanding of all the issues.
• Ensuring confidentiality.
• Providing strategies for addressing issues without accusations or blame.
• Establishing a non-threatening environment that facilitates open and honest communication between parties.
• Managing emotional responses and keeping the session on track.
• Keeping the focus on reaching agreement between parties.
• Following-up to ensure the agreement is maintained.

Critical Incident Management

Critical incident management is used to minimise the long-term effects of stress responses following exposure to a critical incident.   Individuals respond in different ways to a critical situation and in different timeframes.  Management of a critical incident therefore, needs to be on an individual basis, rather than debriefing the group as a whole.

Our consultants are experienced

We can provide on-site assistance following a critical incident.  Some examples of critical incidents where we have provided on-site assistance include:

• Death of work colleague in a motor-vehicle accident.
• Armed hold-up in workplace.
• Bomb threat.
• Attempted suicide at a workplace.
• Witnessing serious injury of a work colleague.

Professional supervision

Judi Pears is an accredited Supervisor (STAP Accrediation) and provides professional supervision for Post-Graduate Psychology students completing the requirements for gaining Registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.

Judi brings to her Supervision 18 years of practice as a Psychologist working with community groups, corporate organisations, and individuals. Judi Pears works with Griffith University to provide supervision for Post-Graduate Organisational Psychology students.  She was awarded an Adjunct Lecturer role at Griffith University for her work with Post-Graduate students, and also serves on the GRiffith University Advisory Board which is responsible for reviewing the Post-Graduate Organisational Psychology programs.