Karen Peters: Rethinking therapy – Cognomovement in UK workplaces

Traditional talking therapies, like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and counselling, have long been the cornerstone of mental health strategies in UK workplaces. These methods offer a safe space for employees to discuss their feelings, process traumatic events, and work through stress. However, what if there was a faster, more effective way to address these issues without the time commitment and emotional burden that traditional therapies often require? Enter Cognomovement.

Cognomovement is a minimal-talking, non-invasive modality that uses cognitive movement (this is not CBT), to reset unwanted feelings in the nervous system. By combining auditory, visual, and kinaesthetic stimulation, Cognomovement offers a unique approach to emotional and mental health that can lead to profound and lasting changes. This article will provide practical steps and advice for leaders looking to improve employee well-being with Cognomovement, backed by evidence and actionable strategies.

The Limitations of Traditional Talking Therapies in the UK Workplace

Talking therapies, such as CBT and counselling, are commonly used in UK workplace wellness programmes to help employees manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. These therapies encourage individuals to verbalise their thoughts and emotions, aiming to provide clarity and foster emotional release. However, there are several inherent limitations to these traditional methods:

• Time-Consuming and Costly: Talking therapies often require multiple sessions over weeks or months, which can be both time-consuming for employees and costly for UK organisations. Employees may need to take time off work for these sessions, disrupting productivity and placing additional strain on both the employee and the organisation​.
• Privacy and Stigma Concerns: Not all employees are comfortable discussing personal issues in a professional setting. Concerns about privacy, stigma, or fear of being judged can prevent individuals from fully engaging in these therapies​. This reluctance can result in employees not seeking the help they need, leading to prolonged periods of untreated mental health issues.
• Potential for Re-Traumatisation: While talking about traumatic experiences can sometimes help in processing them, it can also inadvertently re-trigger those events. This can lead to a cycle of emotional distress without effectively calming the nervous system, which may not result in the desired therapeutic outcome​.

UK-Specific Context

Approximately 1 in 6.8 people experience mental health problems in the workplace, equating to about 14.7% of the UK workforce​. With mental health issues accounting for about 51% of long-term sick leave due to stress, depression, and anxiety, there is a pressing need for more effective, accessible mental health solutions in the workplace​.

Advice for Leaders:

• Evaluate Your Current Programmes: Assess how much time employees spend in traditional therapies and compare it to the outcomes. Are the results justifying the time and cost?
• Gauge Employee Comfort: Use surveys or focus groups to understand how comfortable employees feel using these services. Are privacy concerns or stigma affecting their willingness to participate?
• Review Effectiveness: Examine whether these programmes might be inadvertently causing re-traumatisation or not effectively calming the nervous system.

What is Cognomovement?

Cognomovement is a groundbreaking approach that combines elements of cognitive awareness with physical movement to address emotional and mental health issues. Developed in 2017, this modality uses a uniquely designed, patented ball to engage participants in a series of specific cognitive movements. These movements help reset unwanted feelings in the nervous system, providing a quick and effective alternative to traditional talking therapies​.

How It Works

Cognomovement harnesses the power of auditory, visual, and kinaesthetic stimulation to create changes in how the brain and body process emotions. Unlike traditional therapies that focus on discussing the details of emotional experiences, Cognomovement asks participants to concentrate on where they feel emotions in their body. This focus on the physical manifestation of emotions, rather than their narrative, helps to calm the nervous system and break negative emotional patterns.

For example, during a Cognomovement session, an individual might be asked to hold the Cognomovement ball and perform specific movements while focusing on a particular emotion, such as stress or anxiety. By directing attention to where this emotion is felt in the body—perhaps a tightness in the chest or a knot in the stomach—the practice helps reset the body’s response, effectively calming the nervous system and reducing the emotional charge associated with the stressor​.

Choosing a Practitioner:

• Certification and Experience: Ensure the practitioner is certified and has experience delivering Cognomovement sessions in a corporate setting.
• References and Testimonials: Ask for testimonials or case studies from previous clients to assess their effectiveness and suitability for your organisation.
• Customisation: Confirm that the practitioner can tailor sessions to fit the specific needs and culture of your organisation.

The Benefits of Cognomovement for Employee Well-Being in the UK

Cognomovement offers a host of benefits for employee well-being, making it an excellent addition to workplace wellness programmes in the UK. Here are some key advantages:

Immediate and Long-Term Impact

One of the most significant benefits of Cognomovement is its ability to provide quick relief from stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions. Many participants report feeling calmer and more centred immediately after a session. This immediacy is particularly valuable in fast-paced work environments where employees may need to manage stress quickly to maintain productivity​.

In addition to immediate effects, Cognomovement also promotes long-term well-being. Regular sessions can help employees build emotional resilience, improve mental acuity, and enhance physical vitality. By addressing and transforming unproductive emotional patterns, employees are better equipped to navigate the ups and downs of work life (and home life), leading to a more balanced and harmonious workplace​.

Enhanced Engagement and Inclusivity

Because Cognomovement is a non-talking therapy, it can be more engaging and less intimidating for employees. This inclusivity is particularly beneficial in diverse UK workplace settings where cultural norms or personal preferences may discourage verbal expression of emotions​.

Supporting Evidence

There is growing evidence supporting the effectiveness of Cognomovement. For instance, studies using the Bio-Well device, a tool that assesses a person’s energetic state using Electro-Photonic Imaging, have shown measurable changes in participants’ bodies during Cognomovement sessions. These changes indicate a real, targeted improvement in emotional and physical well-being, demonstrating that Cognomovement is more than just a hopeful practice—it’s a scientifically backed method​.

UK Workplace Impact

Poor workplace mental health costs UK employers around £56 billion annually, with a significant portion attributed to absenteeism (£6 billion) and presenteeism, where employees are at work but not fully functioning due to mental health issues (£28 billion)​. Incorporating effective wellness programmes like Cognomovement could help mitigate these costs by improving overall employee well-being.

Checklist for Measuring Impact:

• Conduct a Pilot Programme: Start with a small group and gather feedback on their experiences with Cognomovement.
• Monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Track metrics like stress levels, absenteeism rates, and productivity before and after introducing Cognomovement sessions.
• Employee Satisfaction Surveys: Use surveys to collect data on overall satisfaction and well-being, focusing on changes attributed to Cognomovement.

Actionable Steps for UK Leaders to Implement Cognomovement in the Workplace

Leaders in the UK looking to enhance employee well-being with Cognomovement can take several practical steps to integrate this modality into their wellness programmes:

Step-by-Step Guidance for Implementation

1. Needs Assessment: Begin by conducting a survey or holding focus groups to understand the specific mental health needs and concerns of your employees. This will help identify whether Cognomovement could be beneficial and where it might be most effective.
2. Engage a Certified Practitioner: Find a Certified Cognomovement Practitioner with experience in delivering sessions in corporate settings. Verify their credentials, ask for references, and ensure they can customise sessions to meet your organisation’s needs.
3. Pilot Programme: Launch a pilot programme with a small group of employees to evaluate the effectiveness of Cognomovement. Set clear goals and metrics for success, such as reducing stress levels or improving focus.
4. Develop a Communication Plan: Create a strategy to inform employees about the new programme, its benefits, and how they can participate. Clear communication will help ensure high engagement and reduce any potential stigma.
5. Continuous Evaluation: Regularly assess the impact of Cognomovement sessions on employee well-being and productivity. Use employee feedback, performance metrics, and health indexes to measure outcomes and make necessary adjustments to the programme.

Creating a Supportive Environment

• Foster Participation: Encourage participation by integrating Cognomovement sessions into regular wellness activities or offering them during peak stress periods, such as the end of financial quarters, during projects or before major deadlines. Highlight the non-talking nature of Cognomovement to appeal to those who may prefer alternative methods to traditional therapy.
• Normalise Mental Health Conversations: Promote a workplace culture that values and supports mental health discussions. Emphasising Cognomovement as a proactive and innovative wellness option can help reduce stigma and encourage more employees to participate.

Conclusion

Cognomovement offers a fresh and innovative approach to enhancing employee well-being in the UK. By providing a fast, effective, and inclusive alternative to traditional talking therapies, it allows employees to manage their stress and emotions in a way that suits them best. For leaders committed to fostering a healthy and productive work environment, integrating Cognomovement into wellness programmes could be a game-changing strategy.

Encourage your organisation to explore Cognomovement as a proactive step towards creating a more resilient and emotionally balanced workforce.

Citations

[1] https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/statistics/mental-health-work-statistics

[2] https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/blog/ten-workplace-mental-health-statistics-for-2023/

[3] https://www.cognomovement.com/research

[4] https://www.spill.chat/mental-health-statistics/workplace-mental-health-statistics