Today, we can rejoice the fact that more and more organizations are prioritizing the well-being of their employees. This care is not merely reflected in loud slogans or breakfast baskets for employees, on the contrary: there is a growing emphasis on emotional well-being and psychological safety. Hearing and addressing uncomfortable topics such as bullying, conflicts, and burnout, ensuring zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior in the organization, requires maturity, courage, strong determination, effort and substantial knowledge. Therefore, a psychotherapist can serve as the most suitable expert and/or educator in the process of psychological education, guiding teams through exploring authentic situations, searching for solutions, and implementing changes.
Based on our experience collaborating with diverse teams, we firmly believe that traditional management methods are inadequate for navigating today’s organizational challenges. Yet, by incorporating psychotherapy principles into management approaches, progress can be achieved in cultivating efficient teams that communicate well and steer clear of burnout.
Business therapy emerges as a specialized form of counseling tailored to help organizations overcome challenges, enhance collaboration, facilitate communication, devise sustainable solutions, raise awareness, and foster psychological safety. It involves consultants collaborating with individuals within an organization to identify the root causes of problems and resolve them, thereby nurturing a healthier work environment, developing essential competencies, fostering personal growth, and nurturing team maturity. Business therapy is characterized by a holistic approach to organizational development, aimed at enhancing team efficiency and promoting well-being. By adopting a therapeutic approach in working with teams, organizations can cultivate conscious and open dialogues, foster healthy relationships, enhance resilience, and bolster adaptability to changing circumstances.
How does therapeutic intervention with teams operate?
As proponents of Gestalt therapy, we advocate for the philosophy of open relationships to become a universal tool in organizational development—believing that by altering relationships within the organization, culture can be transformed. We are guided by the following principles of Gestalt therapy, which contribute to strengthening organizational health:
Here and now: We underscore the significance of living in the present moment. This entails encouraging team members to understand their thoughts, feelings, and actions in the present, rather than being fixated on past events or apprehensive about the future. Together, we facilitate exploration of real-time situations involving specific individuals.
Awareness: We promote the development of self-awareness among team members regarding their experiences, emotions, and behaviors. This involves learning to observe actions, recognizing reactions, seeking deeper understanding of oneself and others, overcoming limiting beliefs, and making conscious choices. We believe that heightened awareness lays the foundation for change, noting that as awareness expands, individuals become more inclined to seize opportunities and take concrete actions.
Responsibility: We cultivate a sense of responsibility for one’s actions, feelings, and choices. This entails team members taking ownership of their participation (or lack thereof) in team activities and contributing to the impact of ongoing processes. We always begin with “I”.
Creative adaptation: Effective teams possess the ability to creatively adapt to ongoing processes. Consistent with this principle, we emphasize the importance of creativity and flexibility in problem-solving and interacting with team members. We encourage team members to explore new avenues for unleashing their potential and navigating change or uncertainty.
Contact: Human connection is paramount in every individual’s life. In Gestalt therapy, it is asserted that everything revolves around relationships. Hence, we prioritize fostering a culture of openness, creating a safe space where team members can cultivate authentic and conscious relationships akin to a winning team, while being mindful in their interactions with others.
What value does business therapy bring to an organization?
The following areas are particularly noteworthy:
Improved communication: Business therapy fosters open and honest communication among team members and managers, facilitating more effective communication, deeper understanding, and the creation of a conducive work environment.
Conflict resolution: Business therapy aids in identifying and resolving conflicts and disagreements among team members or employees from different chains or departments. It equips individuals with the skills to transform conflicts into opportunities and preempt internal crises.
Stress alleviation: Business therapy can alleviate organizational stress, enhance employee well-being and productivity, mitigate burnout and tension, and bolster resilience.
Leadership development: Business therapy empowers leaders with tools and knowledge to effectively lead teams or organizations, gain better self-awareness in their leadership roles, adopt authentic leadership styles, and foster healthy relationships with their team members.
Climate enhancement: Business therapy fosters a healthy, collaborative, and supportive environment within organizations, thereby fostering greater employee engagement and contribution to organizational success.
Collaboration promotion: Business therapy promotes teamwork and mutual understanding, encouraging individuals to articulate expectations and needs, seek assistance, and generate mutual synergy.
Team efficiency enhancement: Business therapy cultivates psychological safety, which significantly enhances team effectiveness by fostering cohesion, communication, and a sense of purpose in achieving shared goals.
As in life, so it is in organizations—it is crucial to seek timely assistance when needed. Business therapy can serve as an effective solution for organizations grappling with the feeling of “doing a lot, but achieving little”.