I agree it is a very important issue. I have, in recent years, alowed a toxic environment to seriously affect my mental and physical health, believing, after 30 odd years, that I had become pretty immune.

Previously I had always see 6 -7 years as being the maximum period for effective working in any environments. The optimum for me seemed to be between 2 – 4 years, and a change was then a rewarding relief and renewal of energy, even when leaving very successful practices.

The term ‘toxic’ is perfect to describe the situations I am currently thinking of and I will have to be careful I do not over-use the term. This recent crisis was after 4 years. Being in the field of Mental Health I was well positioned to get myself out of the pit I had allowed myself to slip into. Even my physical health has now largely recovered.

It was a good lesson for me and one that has me watching out more for my colleagues. It indicates how important counselling supervision is, for the wellbeing of our client’s and of for ourselves.

It has now got me focussed on the dangers that institutions can pose, in expecting people to work in what are basically psychologically unsafe environments. This affects all professions, not just counsellors and therapists.

It seemed ironic that the most dangerous psychological working environment I have worked in was ‘Mental Health’. The dangers were not because of the challenges of the clients, but the unsafe practices of the institution and a few individuals.

I broke the habit of a lifetime and took a less polite approach to the issues. I pursued a complaint aggressively against the Institution, using only counselling and therapeutic arguments and principles as my ammunition.

The reactions were very strong and many people were worried that I would suffer further distress as a result of my outspoken criticisms. I must admit, there were times when I thought I should back off.

As it happened; at the final stage of my ‘therapeutic’ challenge, just before we would have gone to legal process, there was complete acceptance of the risks that were affecting staff. Practices were changes, supervision improved and I all my personal demands were met in full, including a more rewarding job.

You are so right in raising the issue. It is a well-established edict that you cannot help others if you are unable to help yourself (or words to that effect).

We have to make sure that our psychological working environments are just as sound and risk managed as our physical environments. It is only then that we can hope to do the best for our client’s.

This side of my work is now just as important as my counselling and therapeutic responsibilities. Environmental Health responsibilities included the Psychological and Emotional Health of all workers. Employers just need these issues clarified for them, to see the serious failures of duty when this is not adequately considered.

By the way, Occupational Health workers were brilliant and backed me all the way. Nice to be able to rely on people.