City jobs, such as Banking are a high-stress industry that can lead to burnout, fatigue, and mental health issues. With long hours, tight deadlines, and constant pressure to perform, it’s no wonder that banking professionals often struggle with work stress. However, there are solutions that have good levels of evidenced-based effectiveness, that can help combat work stress in banking, and hopefully, work toward a more manageable and balanced mental health equilibrium.
Why my Passion for Working with Investment Banking City Workers?
For more than 2 decades I worked as a city analyst for numerous Investment Banks, in London, Singapore, and projects in Zurich and Frankfurt. Partway through this journey I became involved in learning mindfulness, self-hypnosis, and meditation in order to keep my mental health in check. Roll on many more years I trained in cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy and counselling.
I created The Bohangar Practice to focus on the mental health of those working in the investment banking industry, who feel they are struggling to cope with certain aspects of their mental health. I developed a Talking therapy approach, which combines the best parts of counselling, and cognitive and behavioral therapies with Hypnotherapy. The goal of this therapy is to help individuals identify and manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, and to improve their overall mental health and well-being. In the context of work stress in banking, talking therapy can help professionals develop coping mechanisms, manage their stress levels, and prevent burnout.
Why base a Therapy Practice in Blackheath and Chislehurst?
Throughout my banking career, I Lived in South East London, finding the 30-minute commute to Canary Wharf more than doable, and not quite relatable to the worldly view of working in the city means, running the rat run. Blackheath is a fantastic location, as a green space with a rich history as part of London’s back story. For those with some local knowledge, a review of a map will tell you that Chislehurst and Blackheath are approximately 5 miles apart.
I run a therapy practice in 3 different ways, clients can connect online, face-to-face and elect for a hybrid option of some face-to-face and some online therapy sessions. Online for city professionals is unsurprisingly a firm favourite, due to convenience, speed of access, and also to take advantage of some of the late evening sessions I run for city professionals. Face-to-face meetings are arranged by first appointment availability with time spent between the two locations.
You are not alone in struggling with work stress and anxiety
Banking professionals are not alone in their struggle with work stress. According to a study by the American Psychological Association, work-related stress is a significant issue for Americans, with 64% of adults reporting that work is a significant source of stress in their lives. In the banking industry, this stress can be amplified by the high-pressure nature of the work, with tight deadlines, high-stakes deals, and constant scrutiny from supervisors and clients.
The Significant Challenges of work stress
One of the most significant challenges of work stress in banking is the impact it can have on an individual’s mental health. Chronic stress can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. These issues, in turn, can have a negative impact on job performance, relationships with colleagues and clients, and overall quality of life. If you or you know someone who works in this sector and may need some support, please feel free to share the link to this post, and by all means, reach out for a free initial consultation.
Types of Therapy
To round up where I began with this post, talking therapy has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders. In the context of work stress in banking, talking therapy can help professionals develop coping mechanisms, manage their stress levels, and prevent burnout.
There are several types of talking therapy that can be beneficial for banking professionals dealing with work stress. One of the most highly effective I use in practice is Hypnotherapy (Hypnosis) with the most effective psychotherapy strategies from Cognitive and Behavioural therapy. This therapy focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. This therapy can be particularly helpful for banking professionals who struggle with perfectionism, self-criticism, or negative self-talk.
Another type of talking therapy that can be beneficial for banking professionals is mindfulness-based therapy. This type of therapy involves learning mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and breathing exercises, to help manage stress and anxiety. Mindfulness-based therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing stress and improving overall well-being.
In addition to these types of therapy, there are many other approaches that can be effective in combatting work stress in banking. By signing up for 1-to-1 therapy a full assessment will be carried out, and a personalised set of goals and objects will be created in the form of a therapy plan. Sessions typically run between 6 and 8 sessions. Therapy options may include Hypnosis, cognitive and behavioural therapies, and relaxation techniques such as mindfulness. The key is to find a therapist who is experienced in working with banking professionals and who can tailor their approach to meet the unique needs and challenges of the individual, having worked in this sector for more than 2 decades I believe I could be that person, please do reach out if this post has resonated with you, or feel free to surf around the site and much obliged if you share anything you like with others.
No quick fixes in Therapy, but doing nothing shouldn’t be an option
Talking therapy is not a quick fix for work stress in banking. It requires time, commitment, and effort on the part of the individual seeking treatment. However, the benefits of talking therapy can be significant and long-lasting. By developing coping mechanisms, managing stress levels, and improving overall mental health and well-being, banking professionals can not only improve their quality of life but also their job performance and career prospects.
One of the biggest obstacles to seeking treatment for work stress in banking is the stigma that surrounds mental health issues. Many banking professionals may feel that admitting to mental health struggles is a sign of weakness or incompetence. However, this could not be further from the truth. Seeking treatment for mental health issues is a sign of strength and resilience. It takes courage to recognize when help is needed and to take steps to address the issue.
Fortunately, attitudes toward mental health in the workplace are changing. Many companies are recognizing the importance of supporting their employees’ mental health and are implementing programs and resources
Closing Thoughts and Reach out if I can help
I am a former City Analyst, having worked at the coal face for more than 2 decades. I now work with banking professionals in my Therapy Practice. Talking therapy can help you manage work stress and lead a healthier, happier life. By providing a safe and confidential space to talk, helping you identify the sources of stress and areas of building core resilience. If this is something that could be of help to you, please reach out using the contacts on this page.
