You spend a significant portion of your life at work. For many people, more waking hours are spent with colleagues than with family or friends. When things go well, work can provide purpose, connection and financial security. When things go wrong, the impact can ripple into every corner of your life.
Workplace difficulties take many forms. You might be struggling with a demanding manager, navigating conflict with colleagues or feeling overwhelmed by impossible targets. Perhaps the culture feels toxic, or you are experiencing bullying that nobody seems willing to address. These conditions can leave people feeling anxious, exhausted, and questioning your own abilities.
The scale of workplace stress in Ireland is substantial. According to CIPD Ireland’s 2024 research, reported mental health issues at work now match acute medical conditions in prevalence, with 55% of those affected identifying workload as a contributing factor. You are not alone in finding work challenging right now.
Common Workplace Challenges
Workplace stress rarely comes from a single source. It tends to build gradually, fed by multiple pressures that compound over time. Understanding what you are dealing with is the first step toward addressing it.
Excessive workload and unrealistic targets are among the most frequent issues. When the demands placed on you consistently exceed what is humanly possible, stress becomes chronic rather than occasional. This is not about lacking capability. It is about systems that expect too much without providing adequate support or resources.
Difficult relationships with managers or colleagues create another layer of strain. Poor communication, micromanagement, favouritism, or outright conflict can make every working day feel like a battle. These interpersonal tensions can often spill over into your personal life, affecting sleep, mood and relationships outside work.
Bullying and harassment remain serious problems in Irish workplaces. A 2024 Matrix Recruitment survey found that 88% of workers believe bullying remains a significant workplace issue, with almost a third reporting personal experience of bullying or harassment. These behaviours range from passive-aggressive remarks to verbal abuse and unjust public criticism.
Other common challenges include job insecurity, lack of recognition, limited career progression, work-life imbalance, and the pressures of remote or hybrid working arrangements. Each of these can erode your sense of wellbeing over time.
Taking the First Step
aking the First Step Workplace difficulties can feel isolating, especially when you are putting on a brave face every day. But you do not have to manage this alone.
Our therapists at Mind and Body Works understand the complexities of workplace relationships and the toll that professional stress takes on every area of life. Whether you are dealing with a difficult manager, workplace bullying, burnout, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the demands of your job, we can help you find a way forward. Contact us to arrange a confidential appointment at one of our Dublin centres, in Galway or online.
Reach us at enquiries@mindandbodyworks.com or 01 677 1021. Ready to talk? Book your appointment online today.
How Workplace Stress Affects You
Workplace difficulties often don’t stay neatly contained within office hours. They can follow you home, wake you at 3am and negatively impact your interactions with the people you love.
Physically, chronic work stress can manifest as headaches, digestive problems, muscle tension, fatigue and disrupted sleep. Your body keeps score of what your mind is processing. Emotionally, you might notice increased anxiety, irritability, low mood or a sense of dread about going to work. Some people describe feeling numb or detached, going through the motions without any sense of engagement.
When burnout takes hold, even simple tasks feel insurmountable.
Your confidence can take a significant hit too. When you are constantly criticised, overlooked, or made to feel inadequate, you may start to believe those messages. Self-doubt creeps in. You question decisions you would previously have made without hesitation.
How Counselling Can Help
Talking to a counsellor about workplace issues is not about finding someone to agree that your manager is terrible or your colleagues are unreasonable. It is about creating space to process what you are experiencing and developing practical strategies for moving forward.
Counselling provides a confidential environment where you can speak freely without worrying about professional consequences. Unlike conversations with colleagues or HR, there is no agenda beyond your wellbeing. Your therapist is not invested in the company. They are invested in you.
Through therapy, you can explore the patterns that contribute to your workplace difficulties. Sometimes these involve external factors beyond your control. Sometimes they reveal ways your own responses or boundaries might be adjusted. Often it is a combination of both. Understanding the full picture can help you to make informed decisions about how to respond.
Your counsellor can help you to develop coping strategies for managing stress, navigating difficult conversations, setting appropriate boundaries and protecting your mental health while you remain in a challenging environment. If you are considering leaving your job, therapy can support you in making that decision from a place of clarity rather than desperation.
FAQ
If work difficulties are affecting your sleep, your mood, your relationships, or your ability to function, they are serious enough. You do not need to reach a crisis point before seeking support. Many people find that addressing workplace stress early can prevent it from escalating.
No. Counselling is completely confidential. Your therapist will not contact your employer or share information about your sessions with anyone without your explicit consent. What you discuss remains between you and your counsellor.
Yes. While counselling cannot stop the bullying behaviour itself, it can provide crucial support as you navigate the situation. Your therapist can help you process the emotional impact, rebuild confidence that may have been damaged, explore your options and develop strategies for protecting your mental health.
You do not need to have tried everything else first. In fact, counselling can help you approach workplace conversations and decisions more effectively. Many people find that having therapeutic support makes it easier to advocate for themselves, set boundaries or make difficult choices about their career.
Yes. We offer both in-person appointments at our Dublin and Galway locations and online therapy sessions. Online counselling can be particularly convenient if you are struggling to take time away from work, or if you prefer the privacy of attending sessions from home.
