What is Organizational Psychology? How to Support Workplace Mental Health

Most of us understand that chaos in any form is not conducive to productivity. When things are off or out of place, we waste more time and energy trying to make sense of and overcome these complicating factors than we should. In addition, disorder is distressing. It’s hard to think critically when you’re upset or overwhelmed, especially at work where your inability to focus on the task at hand can lead to mistakes and further frustrations for yourself and those who depend on you.

Finding a balance is key to curbing chaos. Mental health at work support is a must for any team looking to overcome obstacles like stress, miscommunication, and cultural barriers. Make a positive long-term investment in your company with guidance from a licensed professional trained in organizational psychology. Learn what organizational psychology is, how you can accomplish more by investing in the health and happiness of your team, and more with Miami Hypnosis and Therapy today.

What is the Definition of Organizational Psychology?

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines organizational psychology as a specialized branch of psychology where human factors are taken into consideration and used to find solutions within companies. Sometimes referred to as industrial-organizational psychology, organizational psychology utilizes current established therapeutic principles and practices and focuses on improving productivity by resolving employee issues and concerns. This form of mental health support at work became popular after licensed professionals started to take a closer look at workplace cultures and how staff members interacted within them.

Who is Certified to Practice Organizational Psychology?

What is unique about organizational psychology practitioners is their ability to resolve issues through observations gained from studying coworker and management relationships. Licensed mental health practitioners with thorough knowledge of not only human behavior but also organization and design often make the best resources for companies interested in implementing organizational psychology. Because this form of therapy looks at how the big picture affects those within it, experience in group therapy and conflict resolution is often required.

What Does an Organizational Psychology Practitioner Do to Improve Mental Health at Work Support?

Studies on workplace mindfulness interventions suggest there is a direct correlation between increased company productivity and the mental and physical wellbeing of its employees. Beyond workplace interventions, licensed professionals practicing organizational psychology also perform tasks such as:

• Documenting employee mental health evaluations, behaviors, and complaints
• Evaluating company practices like recruitment, training, and performance reviews
• Implementing leadership training and mental health management workshops
• Addressing or adjusting reward and punishment systems within the workplace
• Providing resources to improve quality of life inside and outside of work
• Engaging in cross-cultural team building
• Evaluating the effectiveness of their treatment and adjusting per the needs of the clientele

Why is Organizational Psychology a Varied Practice?

Organizational psychology is defined by its human factor. No one size fits all when it comes to mental health, and the same rings true when you consider the fact that every job environment presents its own unique set of problems and concerns. If this sounds confusing, think about previous jobs you’ve had or companies you’ve worked for. Each offered its own set hurdles for you to overcome. Maybe you had a harder time communicating with your leads or coworkers, or the policies were more strict. Perhaps the shifts were longer, or you increased your hours. Either way, all of these factors can contribute to problems in the workplace.

Because every individual and work environment is different and each presents unique challenges, the solutions provided by organizational psychology vary as well. If your staff is working more because of shorter deadlines, or you notice the quality of work is suffering as employees work during a crisis, having an organizational psychologist come in and examine the issues is one way to find a solution where everyone is happy. In some cases this may involve giving more breaks to staff or budgeting time better to avoid a crunch at the end of a project. Personalized help might also be required for struggling staff who would benefit from supportive resources.

How Does Mental Health at Work Support Make a Difference?

All businesses rely on productive staff in order to be successful. Research shows that happier employees are able to contribute more to the companies they work for. By providing mental health support in the form of organizational psychology, essential structures and coping mechanisms needed to manage workplace issues are already in place.

What makes organizational psychology and other forms of workplace mental health support successful is the focus on establishing a system of support for troubled communication, poor time management, stress, team conflict, and more. When these factors are addressed and your staff’s wellbeing is properly assessed, you can transform the culture your staff work in into something healthy and performance-boosting.

Think of it this way: most companies are similar to people in that they both have their own hierarchy of needs that must be met. If production rates are slow, less money is made. If there’s less revenue available, staffing becomes limited. Without proper staffing, there’s little to no room for success within the company.

Who Benefits from Mental Health at Work Support?

While we’ve mostly discussed organizational psychology’s definition in business environments, its benefits and principles can also apply to any group. Academic or non-profit organizations can streamline their productivity by taking advice from a licensed mental health practitioner.

What organizational psychology offers for your company or organization’s employees is a win-win situation for everyone involved. By having the tools necessary to solve problems in a fair way, management can address current and future issues before chaos ensues. Businesses who understand the happiness and health of their employees can do more to support their staff and take advantage of new and improved channels of communication between employees and management. By feeling valued and heard, your staff members are more likely to have the facilities necessary to care about their work.

Organizational Psychology and Better Mental Health at Work Support through Miami Hypnosis and Therapy

Great employees are the foundation for any flourishing business. Make sure you’re setting up your team for success by contacting a licensed mental health professional today. Miami Hypnosis and Therapy can answer or elaborate on any questions you have about what organizational psychology is and more. Our innovative practice blends effective methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, neuro-linguistic programming, and hypnotherapy into one powerful approach. With guidance from our lead practitioner, Anna Marchenko, LMHC, M.A., Ed.M., Miami clients are able to see faster, more productive results.

Anna Marchenko, LMHC, M.A., Ed.M., has earned dual Master’s degrees from Columbia University. Her thorough background in mental health comes from her work with the International Institute of Interpersonal Hypnotherapy and the American Counseling Association. As a licensed mental health counselor, Anna is also certified by Florida’s Department of Education as a qualified hypnotherapist. She has experience and specializes in working with the diverse population of Miami. From gender transition and LGBTQIA+ matters to mental health at work support meant to improve work-life balance, Miami Hypnosis and Therapy is able to help your company meet its goals through customized sessions. Contact us today to learn more about what organizational psychology can do for your workplace.