Understanding the manager role
Clarify what workplace support can appropriately look like, what sits outside the manager role and how managerial responsibilities differ from counselling or therapy.
Professional development · Half-day workshop
Managers Aren’t Therapists
Support people well without stepping outside the manager role
Managers are often the first to notice when someone is struggling at work, yet many are unsure where appropriate support ends and counselling begins.
This practical workshop helps leaders understand their role, respond to mental-health concerns, maintain professional boundaries and recognise when additional support or referral is needed. Managers practise supportive conversations without taking responsibility for diagnosing, treating or fixing an employee’s mental health.
Components
What the workshop covers
Practical discussion, workplace scenarios and guided skills practice across four connected areas. The workshop supports the Recognise → Converse → Coach stages of the TWC Healthy Leadership & Work Framework.
Recognising when someone may need support
Notice changes in behaviour, communication, attendance or functioning without diagnosing or assuming what may be causing them.
Having supportive conversations
Open a conversation, listen effectively, respond with empathy and curiosity, and avoid the pressure to immediately solve the problem.
Boundaries, referral and follow-up
Consider when HR, workplace supports, an EAP, medical or mental-health services may be appropriate while maintaining suitable follow-up and workplace accountability.
Learning outcomes
What participants will be able to do
- Explain the manager’s role
Distinguish appropriate workplace support from counselling or treatment when responding to employee mental-health concerns.
- Hold a supportive conversation
Use observation, listening and curiosity with clear boundaries, without diagnosing, over-interpreting or taking responsibility for solving the employee’s problem.
- Identify next steps
Consider workplace support, HR involvement, professional referral, escalation and reasonable follow-up when additional help is required.
Workshop details
Clarity for managers; appropriate support for people
For people leaders, managers, supervisors and others responsible for supporting employees in the workplace.
The workshop is designed as professional development. It uses relevant scenarios to help participants practise how to respond within their role and discuss support pathways in their organisation.
It does not train managers to diagnose or treat mental-health conditions.
- Fixed price
- $3,300 + GSTFor a group of up to 5 participants. Contact TWC about larger groups.
- Format and duration
- Half-day face-to-face workshop · 4 hours
- Type
- Professional Development
- Audience
- People leaders, managers and supervisors
Help managers support people with confidence and clear boundaries.
Contact TWC to discuss delivery for your organisation and the situations your leaders are navigating.
The button opens a prefilled enquiry. Thomas can then arrange a discovery call with you.