The EAP Counsellor

What happens when leaders stop performing… and start leading as real humans? In this episode of The EAP Counsellor Podcast, Lou sits down with Donna Morrison — Strategic Leadership Development Expert and founder of Mentor My Success — for a powerful, no-filter conversation about what leadership actually looks like beneath the surface. This isn’t about polished personas or corporate scripts. It’s about what’s really going on for leaders right now — the pressure, the burnout, the disconnect — and what needs to change. Donna shares her unique perspective shaped by both decades of leadership experience and her lived experience, bringing a deeply human lens to how we lead, work, and support others. Together, they explore: Why traditional leadership models are no longer working What “modern leadership” actually requires (and it’s not more KPIs) The importance of neurodiversity and inclusive workplaces What a healthy leader really looks like in real life Practical ways leaders can show up with more clarity, compassion, and impact If you’ve ever felt like leadership requires you to wear a mask — this conversation will feel like a breath of fresh air. Because the future of leadership isn’t about having it all together… It’s about having the courage to lead without the mask. To learn more about Donna, and to connect with her - go to her website - www.mentormysuccess.com  

Guest Spotlight - Sally Phelan, founder of Lightworks Coaching Episode 53 - Preventing Burnout Before It Begins In today's podcast I’m joined by someone who truly understands what it takes to thrive at work — not just perform, but feel well while doing it. My guest is Sally Phelan, founder of Lightworks Coaching. Sally brings more than 25 years of experience as a senior executive in global fashion retail, where she led high-performing teams in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. Today, she combines that real-world leadership expertise with coaching, neurodiversity support, and evidence-based mindset practices to help individuals and organisations create meaningful, lasting change. In this conversation, we’re exploring what a proactive, preventative approach to workplace wellbeing looks like in practice — and how initiatives like the Team Approach EAP Program can support people to stay well, connected, and performing at their best. To find out more about Sally, and her coaching, courses and programs, and/or to  connect with her, you can find her on the following platforms -  Instagram : @lightworks_coaching LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-phelan-5814b615/ Web : Https://lightworkscoaching.com.au Email: [email protected]  

Welcome to Episode number 51 of The EAP Counsellor Podcast. Today I'm thrilled to be joined by Lynsey Byrom, a Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience supporting people and workplaces to build healthier lives and cultures. Lynsey has worked across defense, law, finance, health, and corporate sectors, and offers everything from one-on-one therapy to large scale psychoeducational workshops and seminars. She's deeply passionate about helping people live rich, full, and meaningful lives while navigating stress, pain, and pressure - and she has a beautiful way of making mental health practical, human, and workplace-relevant. Lynsey is based in Geelong, Victoria, and can be contacted via her website - www.lynseybyrom.com.au  

Today on the podcast I'm joined by Katrina Shaw - grief educator, counsellor, and the founder of Grief Talks. Katrina is passionate about making conversations around grief more compassionate, accessible, and real, whether that's in workplaces, schools, or communities. Katrina Shaw is determined to showcase that talking about the ‘hard stuff’ doesn’t have to be a scary or sombre experience. Her passion and advocacy as a grief specialist in particular, is shaped by much of her own life with the death of her mum as a teen and more recently navigating infertility, recurrent miscarriage and motherhood. With a diploma of counselling, she gently blends storytelling and evidence-informed strategies to ensure audiences leave with tangible and effective tools for their own belt.  Starting as the first appointed ambassador for Child Bereavement UK back in 2015, Katrina naturally progressed to become founder of Grief Talks Education and is regularly termed the ‘grief-girl’ for her community contributions and awareness efforts. From working with primary school aged children to sharing knowledge with business leaders and their teams, her ability to break down barriers and adapt to a variety of audiences allows her to create spaces of vulnerability, connection and most of all, hope.   

Welcome to Episode number 51 of The EAP Counsellor Podcast. Today I'm thrilled to be joined by Lynsey Byrom, a Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience supporting people and workplaces to build healthier lives and cultures. Lynsey has worked across defense, law, finance, health, and corporate sectors, and offers everything from one-on-one therapy to large scale psychoeducational workshops and seminars. She's deeply passionate about helping people live rich, full, and meaningful lives while navigating stress, pain, and pressure - and she has a beautiful way of making mental health practical, human, and workplace-relevant. Lynsey is based in Geelong, Victoria, and can be contacted via her website - www.lynseybyrom.com.au  

Welcome back to another episode of theeapcounsellor – the podcast that explores real conversations around workplace wellbeing, leadership, and support that works. Today’s episode is a special one – we're joining the celebration of 25 years of Mental Health First Aid by exploring the “Why” behind it all. Why people choose to become Mental Health First Aiders, why it’s more than just a course, and why it’s essential in Australian workplaces right now. I’m joined by the brilliant Leah Veenhuizen, a Registered Nurse and qualified Mental Health First Aid facilitator who brings over 15 years of healthcare experience and a deep commitment to breaking down stigma. Leah also hosts the community radio show Just a Thought, where she continues to create safe spaces for mental health conversations. In this episode, Leah shares her own "why", what makes MHFA different, and how workplaces can step up to support their people in meaningful ways.  To find out more and get in touch with Leah Veenhuizen - Go to her website - https://www.leahv.com.au/  

Tom is the founder of Ctrl Your Scroll, a company and movement dedicated to helping people build healthier digital habits, improve their wellbeing, and feel good about logging off. This is a MUST-LISTEN podcast episode. Listen to Tom's personal realisation that his digital habits were impacting his wellbeing and how he turned his own experience into something powerful that now supports others in workplaces, schools and clubs. Tom is open, honest, full of research and information, and loves to give practical tips to learn how to CTRL YOUR SCROLL. To find out more and get in contact with Tom - go to his website - www.ctrlyourscroll.com.au

Dr Mick Rowe is a Chiropractor and Founder of Grove Chiropractic in Ocean Grove, Victoria. Mick has a passion for holistic, natural healthcare, that acknowledges the body's inbuilt cleverness. Dr Mick's own introduction to Chiropractic Care was a sore back. Mick injured himself playing tennis as a teenager and couldn't play the sport he loved. Coincidentally his tennis coach was also a Chiropractor, who he saw following his injury, and who helped him get back on the court! A few memorable things stood out to Dr Mick from his first visit as a client of Chiropractic Care. His chiropractor assessed his body holistically. He wasn't solely concerned with treating his symptoms, but addressing the underlying cause of his back pain to prevent it! He was introduced to the very obvious, but previously unquestioned truth, that his body was clever and could heal itself! It is with pleasure that I introduce Dr Mick to The EAP Counsellor podcast. He is inspiring to listen too, a fabulous Chiropractor, and a genuinely great person! To get in touch with Dr Mick go to his website - www.grovechiro.com.au  

Did you know that 40% of Australian's struggle to get the recommended amount of 7-9 hours of sleep per night? That's almost half of us! Recent studies have named SLEEP the first pillar of health, and that makes so much sense. Without adequate sleep, coupled with poor sleep quality, people are struggling through their days, and suffering the consequences. In today's podcast, Lou chats to Amy Huebner of AH Sleep Specialists about the very important topic of sleep, the importance of sleep, the impact of poor sleep on our everyday lives, including our work day, and how AH Sleep Specialists are helping the sleep hygiene of Australian employees. To find out more about Amy and AH Sleep Specialists, go to her website www.ahsleepspecialists.com.au  

Getting to Know Karen Bishop-Hubert: As a valued member of The Team Approach, Karen Bishop-Hubert brings extensive experience and a compassionate, supportive approach to her work. Lou sat down with Karen to delve deeper into her journey, her philosophy, her niched area of counselling, and her approach to leadership and team wellbeing.

In this special episode we are kicking off a heartwarming mission to help as many people as we can between now and Christmas! (And don't worry, we're in this for the long game - we won't stop come New Year's!) Every day we get to help people navigate life's ups and downs, and we just LOVE IT! Whether you know someone going through a tough divorce, a child dealing with school anxiety, a family struggling to make ends meet, a carer juggling multiple roles, or an employee whose performance is affected by personal issues - our aim is to support and uplift! Ready to make an impact? Press play and let's get started.

In today's episode, Lou welcomes a special guest to the podcast, Grant Melrose. Grant is the founder of Authentic Minds, based in Warwick, who is on a mission to help over 10,000 people in rural, regional and remote communities of Australia. Grant is all about helping people to reach their full potential and has a vision to build a resilient and non-judgemental community of people that understand everyone carries their own beliefs and perspectives. If you are looking for a Personal Growth Coach, or a workshop facilitator that has lived experience and possesses an extensive skill set in the Australian Agriculture and Agribusiness Leadership community, then Grant Melrose is that man. Grant has a depth and breadth of experience, and overcoming his own personal challenges of how to deal with stress, shows that we can only really change ourselves. Some words to describe Episode 44 of the podcast are; authentic, real, raw, vulnerability, growth, lived experience, and totally impactful! Listen in to Lou and Grant's conversation and take note of the strategies, ideas and suggestions around mental health, wellbeing, personal growth, coaching, and of course workplace wellbeing. To find out more about Grant and to get in touch with him -    Email - [email protected] Website - www.authenticminds.com.au Instagram - @theauthenticminds  

Today's podcast episode gives listeners a brief, behind the scenes, look of a typical day for Lou, Director of The Team Approach. As you will hear Lou's days are interesting, inspiring, varied and meaningful! EAP Counselling Appointments form part of every day, as do Wellbeing Strategy sessions, Leadership Coaching, and writing and delivering Educational Workshops on a range of Wellbeing Topics. Does your workplace have a Wellbeing Strategy?

We are on a mission to help as many people as we can between now and Christmas time. (Not that we will stop after Christmas! We're in this for the long-game!) We get to people everyday people navigate life! We just love that we get to help people. You may know someone who's going through a divorce, or someone who's got an anxious child who finds school hard, or someone who is struggling to make ends meet, or someone who is a carer as well as an employee and doing the juggle, or someone who isn't performing at work because of issues at home or work???? We help all of these people! How can we help people in your life or your workplace?

In today's podcast Lou interviews Natalie Greene from She Breathes. She Breathes is a dedicated space for mother's to honour their needs and live, work and play with joy, peace, empowerment and compassion. Nat is a facilitator of BREATHWORK amongst many other things, and she is on a mission to change the way mums move through the world. Breathwork is a game-changing technique, an amazing resource for positive mental health and wellbeing, a key ingredient of self-care, and as Nat says, "It's in your back pocket! You have it with you all the time!" To find out more about Nat, Breathwork, and proactive wellbeing strategies, listen to today's podcast. Want to know more about Nat - go to Instagram Handle @shebreathesnow

Team McLean Fitness Club's Founder and head coach, Kristen, absolutely loves her job! Enabling and supporting people to take back control of their bodies is incredibly rewarding. Team McLean is a boutique and unique club, so not your typical gym, as they focus on you and take physical and mental wellness from a holistic approach.   Coach Kristen lives for - Amazing adventures, clever design, good quality food and great company, keeping a healthy body and soul, and lives by her mantra - Train mean, eat clean and live green.   It was an absolute pleasure to chat to Kristen today on the podcast and chat all things WELLBEING! Kristen's love of fitness, healthy living and wellbeing far extends from the gym walls, encompassing workplaces too.  ENJOY!

Have you heard of school can’t? Are you a parent of school aged kids? Do you employ parents of school aged children? Lou talks openly, from personal experience about school can’t and the challenges that some parents of school aged children could be facing on an on-going or frequent basis. Balancing home, work and parenthood is a challenging gig at times!

Are you a stressed out business owner or overwhelmed employee? Do you hear people in your workplace say, “I’m just so stressed at the moment!” Did you know that stress is something that affects all of us at some point. Understanding what stress is and how to manage it can help us stay healthy and productive.

Today I am very excited to introduce one of our amazing EAP Counsellors to you as part of our Meet The Team Interview Series. Meet Roee Kohn, an amazing Counsellor and a real asset to our team. Roee is a qualified and highly experienced Mental Health Social Worker with over 19years experience working in both the UK and Australia. Roee's clients describe him as warm, non-judgemental and a great listener. We also know that he prefers coffee to hot chocolate and that if he was a superhero, he would want his superpower to be able to heal people. Roee takes a strengths-based approach when working with clients and is an advocate for nature-based therapy. Please enjoy my chat with Roee today!www.theteamapproach.com.au/about/

Resilience is a term that I hear all the time, but how well understood is resilience? So, what is resilience? Why is developing resilience so important? And, how do we develop it? I see resilience or developing resilience as a healthy outcome of EAP Counselling Services. And, after many conversations with business owners, it seems that it is ONE of the most important outcomes that they want for their people. They want their employees to develop more resilience and coping skills - which will ultimately help them to be more productive and healthy.  Resilience is a powerful concept that plays a crucial role in our ability to navigate life's challenges. Let's dive into it and explore what resilience truly means, why it matters, and share some practical strategies for building it.   ENJOY!

As business owners and leaders we often find ourselves caught up in the whirlwind of tasks, deadlines,and responsibilities. But what happens when we’re too busy to prioritise our own wellbeing and that of our teams? In this podcast Lou unpacks The Busy Trap, The Busy Paradox, and The Toll on Mental Health!

In this episode Lou dives into why business owner and leadership buy-in is vital for the success of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Actions speak louder than words. Do you talk the talk and walk the walk?

Today, we’re diving deep into the world of EAPs. You know those 3 letters that sometimes get lost but have immense potential and value. But fear not! By the end of this episode, you’ll be an EAP enthusiast who wants to champion wellbeing in your organisation, not just have EAP to tick a box for compliance.

After an unexpected hiatus, we’re thrilled to welcome you back to Episode 32 of your journey together. In this episode we’re diving deep into what has been happening behind the scenes during our time apart. Welcome back to the conversation about Wellbeing and EAP Counselling Services.

As we gear up for the festive season, let’s take a moment to delve into why this time of year can be challenging and, more importantly, explore actionable tips to prioritise your mental health and wellbeing.

As we navigate the challenges of the work environment, life environment, and our work/life balance, it’s essential to remember that we are not just colleagues but a supportive community that cares for one another. Have you ever had that gut feeling that someone you know or care about isn’t quite themselves lately? Perhaps they seem more agitated, withdrawn, or just not as cheerful as usual. Trusting that instinct is the first step towards creating a workplace that values mental health and wellbeing. How to check-in on someone is a question I get asked all the time. In this podcast I chat about how to check-in on a mate using RUOK’s 4 step model.

A Wellbeing Strategy enables organisations to take a strategic, planned, and outcome based approach to implementing a Workplace Wellbeing Policy & Plan. Being strategic means taking a step by step, purpose-driven approach to designing & creating a 12-month + Wellbeing Plan & Program that represents the needs of the organisation & its people! Does your organisation have a Wellbeing Strategy?

In todays ever-changing business landscape, maintaining clear communication channels is not just a necessity but an essential cornerstone of your company’s success. This podcast is intended to shed light on the importance of establishing transparent communication pathways within your organisation and how it can significantly impact employee health, wellbeing and productivity.

In today’s fast paced world, the well-being of your employees is more critical than ever. A happy and healthy workforce is the backbone of a successful business. This is why we want to introduce you to 5 powerful strategies to promote (EAP) Employee Assistance Program Counselling Services in your workplace and encourage employees to utilise this invaluable resource. To find out more about EAP Counselling Services, get in touch with us on 0370431010.

In today’s episode we put EAP counselling services back in the limelight. Your EAP allocation is more than just a benefit; it’s a powerful tool for self-care and preventative health and wellbeing. In this podcast Lou chats about why utilising your EAP each year is a fantastic way to invest in yourself!

In today’s hyper-connected & fast-paced workplace world, the line between work and personal life can easily blur, leading to burnout, stress, $ decreased overall wellbeing. In this podcast, Lou explain why establishing clear boundaries is a game-changer!

As leaders in the world of business, you understand the importance of a productive and thriving workforce. In this podcast we focus on a key aspect that can significantly impact your team’s performance and overall wellbeing: encouraging regular breaks and discouraging presenteeism.

By investing in your employee’s mental health, you create a supportive and productive work environment that yields impressive results. Empowering teams will not only lead to happier and healthier employees, but it will help to drive innovation, increase loyalty, and positively impact your bottom-line.

Todays podcast is all about creating a culture of gratitude and how expressing gratitude is a powerful path to success! Gratitude is a mighty force that can transform not only individual attitudes but also the overall dynamics within an organisation. Listen in to find out why cultivating a culture of gratitude is vital for our continued success and how it contributes to happy and healthy employees.

Creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful work environment is not just a legal obligation but also a powerful catalyst for increased productivity, employee morale, and overall success. Why Zero-Tolerance Matters: At The Team Approach, we believe that every individual deserves to work in an environment free from harassment and discrimination. Not only does a zero-tolerance policy protect employees, but it also fosters a culture of trust and mutual respect. By standing firm against any form of mistreatment, we demonstrate our commitment to upholding core values and building a stronger, more cohesive team.

Did you know that poor mental health costs Australian businesses $10.9billion? And that for every $1 invested in mental health and wellbeing there is a ROI of $2:30, and for smaller businesses it could even be as high as a $15 return. What do you think a high uptake of EAP means? Does it mean that a business has a poor culture or does it mean that EAP is encouraged and promoted as a positive, proactive and preventative approach to health and wellness? Lou talks openly about the uptake of EAP services and why a high uptake is a good thing for businesses.

In this episode Lou showcases a brilliant support service - MensLine Australia & chats about how improving our physical health can help our mental health. We all know that regular exercise is good the body BUT it’s also good for our mind!! Showcasing MensLine Australia - 1300789978

Nurturing your personal and professional growth is key to achieving overall success and satisfaction in life. By investing in your personal and professional growth, you can enhance your wellbeing, gain more coping skills and learn how to become more resilient.

We believe that a happy and engaged workforce is the foundation of a successful business and that fostering a supportive and approachable leadership style is crucial for promoting a positive work environment and enhancing employee wellbeing. Encouraging an open door policy helps us to create an atmosphere where our team members feel comfortable and empowered to approach us with their ideas, concerns and feedback. Do you have an open-door policy?

In today’s fast paced world, it’s easy for the relentless pursuit of success to overshadow the wellbeing of ourselves and our employees. As leaders we wear multiple hats and juggle countless responsibilities, leaving little time for self-care. However research shows that neglecting breaks can lead to decreased productivity, increased stress levels and ultimately burn out. By incorporating regular breaks into our work routines, we can foster a more balanced and resilient workforce, leading to improved performance and overall job satisfaction.

It’s okay to ask for help and seek support! Far too often people feel pressured to handle everything on their own and perceive seeking help as a sign of weakness or inadequacy. However this couldn’t be further from the truth! Mental health is an essential aspect of overall wellbeing, and just like physical health, it requires attention and care! No one is immune to mental health challenges, and seeking support is a courageous and proactive step towards maintaining a healthy mind!

In this podcast I dive into the world of EAPs, sharing the current concerns and questions raised by business owners and shedding light on the evolving landscape of workplace wellbeing.

The stats are telling us that EAP programs are not only important, but are essential! 45.5% of people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. If stats like this don’t stop us in our tracks, and inform us that our people need information, resources, strategies, and mental health and wellbeing support, I’m not sure what will!

It’s no secret that businesses want to maximise productivity in order to achieve success. However, what many employers don’t realise is that the key to productivity lies in the wellbeing of their employees. In this podcast I talk about the reasons why employee wellbeing is so important for productivity, and how employers can take steps to promote a healthy work environment.

Are you passionate about Employee Wellbeing and Workplace Wellness? Are you a Counsellor interested in mentally healthy workplaces? Do you want to be an EAP Counsellor but don’t know where to start? This podcast is for anyone who values mental health and wellbeing! Whether you are a business owner, leader, HR professional or Counsellor, this is for you!

It’s important to start a new year right! But what does that mean? And why is it important! How we start something sets the tone for how it will be! It allows us to get really clear on what we want and what we don’t want! It allows us to understand and know how we want to feel and don’t want to feel on a consistent basis!  

In Episode 9 Lou chats about the changing nature of workplace mental health, and changes to legislation and regulations regarding psychosocial safety! We ALL need to know about these changes! And we ALL need to implement the strategies in our workplaces - which is a great thing for workplace mental health and wellbeing! We all want to work in mentally healthy workplaces and these changes are promoting mentally healthy environments! Which is exciting!!

Stigma around mental health illness is very real, Has a very real impact, and very damaging! But, together we can make a difference! We can all work together to break the cycle through raising awareness, building knowledge and understanding, and educating people about mental health and mental illness. Together we can make a difference!

Do you know the early warning signs of a mental health condition? Do you know what to do if you noticed the early warning signs? As business owners and leaders, it’s our job to tune into our employees, notice any changes, initiate a conversation and offer support. But this is a combination of many different skills, right! In this podcast, Lou chats about the warning signs and what to do if you start to observe them in your workplace.

We all know that EAP counselling services are amazing and are a service that our employees really benefit from. BUT EAP alone doesn’t mean that we will have a mentally healthy workplace! EAP services need to be part of an integrative approach to creating a mentally healthy workplace. The way I see it, there are 4 pillars to designing and creating a mentally healthy workplace. Listen in to find out what these 4 pillars are and why they are super important.