The LGMA WA has an arrangement with Drake WorkWise to deliver this service, including individual counselling, employee and trauma assistance, grief and loss and career transitioning.
To take advantage of this confidential service, simply call the LGMA and they will give you contact details and authorisation for Drake WorkWise. You will be given a toll free number which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A trained psychologist takes the initial phone call. You may have counselling sessions over the phone but face-to-face counselling is usually recommended at one of a network of offices throughout Western Australia, including in regional areas.
What can I get help with?
So what sort of issues might you seek help with?
About 70 percent of the issues that people contact Drake WorkWise counsellors about are personal, such as relationships, addictive behaviours, health and wellbeing and anxiety, says Michelle Beard, Drake WorkWise National Clinical Services Manager.
The other 30 percent are workplace issues, such as conflict with a colleague or manager, bullying, and anxiety about increased workload or job uncertainty.
“We can also assist with outplacement and career transitioning,” Michelle says. “When organisational roles are being restructured, we can provide counselling to help deal with the sense of loss or anger people often experience, plus offer a practical program that includes developing resumes, coaching on interview styles, psychological testing and where to search for a new role.
“Another important support program is counselling dedicated to managers. It operates like executive coaching: we can offer a sounding board to help deal with management issues, along with practical strategies to address interpersonal conflict. A large number of our psychologists have worked at senior levels of organisations or have come from a human resources background. We also have a number of research papers and research tools that managers can access online.”
Who will I talk to?
“Psychologists are trained to Australian Psychological Society standards,” Michelle says. “All have at least 10 years experience and most have in excess of 20 years. They have specialist areas and we try to match people to an appropriate specialist. We also match on gender if appropriate. Some people feel more comfortable with a male or female counsellor and we try to accommodate that.
“We have offices in 20-30 locations throughout Western Australia, including associates in regional areas. It’s a very wide network. We can offer a service anywhere – if you physically can’t get to a face-to-face interview, we can provide structured, effective telephone counselling.”
If you are an LGMA member and have an issue you would like help with, contact the LGMA on 9218 8141 and we’ll put you in touch with Drake WorkWise.