Are you teaching at a College or University? Counselling for Academics

The world of academia is often seen as a place of intellectual freedom, personal growth, and deep curiosity. However, for those working within universities, particularly lecturers and senior academics, the reality ‘on the ground’ can be different. The pressures of an increasingly corporate work culture, unmanageable workloads, job insecurity, and moral dilemmas are phenomena we see across workplaces, including academia. Counselling can be a powerful resource for those struggling to maintain their mental and emotional well-being, especially if they are advocates for ‘meaningful work’. Let’s face it: academics have spent numerous years of research and study on topics they are deeply passionate about! It is not a job that offers generous salaries so those of us who have chosen to teach in FE or HE education often arrived there due to dedication and the ‘love of it all’. But what happens when there is a discrepancy in values systems in our work alongside the usual challenges that life throws as us? Can the ‘joys’ of the work sustain us in a healthy way? Let’s reflect on why one may choose this path in the first place:

The Joys of Working in Academia

Academia can offer a rewarding and fulfilling career. Many academics are drawn to the profession by a deep passion for knowledge and education, and there are aspects of the job that make the struggles worthwhile.

1. Intellectual Freedom and Lifelong Learning

Academia provides a unique opportunity to engage in lifelong learning and intellectual exploration. Many academics find great joy in being able to research topics they are passionate about, develop new ideas, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their field.

2. Inspiring and Mentoring Students

One of the most fulfilling aspects of academic life is the opportunity to teach and mentor students. Seeing students grow intellectually, develop critical thinking skills, and achieve their goals can be incredibly rewarding. Academics have often shared with me that they take pride in shaping the next generation of scholars and professionals.

3. Collaboration and Academic Community

While academia can sometimes feel isolating, it also fosters collaboration and community. Engaging in research partnerships, attending conferences, and being part of a scholarly network can lead to inspiring discussions, new ideas, and a sense of shared purpose.

4. Flexibility and Autonomy

Unlike many other professions, academia often provides a level of flexibility in how work is structured. While the workload can be intense, many academics appreciate the ability to design their own research projects, set their own schedules, and explore topics that genuinely interest them.

Let’s flip the coin and reflect on what shows on the other side:

The Unique Challenges of Academia

While employees across various industries face stress, burnout, and workplace dissatisfaction, academia presents a distinct set of challenges that can make the experience difficult to navigate, such as:

1. Excessive Workload and Burnout

The traditional image of an academic is someone engaged in research, teaching, and collegial collaboration. However, modern academia demands far more. Many lecturers find themselves balancing heavy teaching loads, administrative responsibilities, grant applications, and research output expectations—often with minimal institutional support. The expectation to be consistently productive, even during supposed ‘downtime,’ leads to chronic stress and burnout. If you are a female academic, you also have to juggle the demands of motherhood and being a present parent, not an easy task

2. A Clash of Values: From Education to Market Forces

Many academics enter the profession driven by a love of knowledge, a commitment to education, and the desire to make meaningful contributions to their field. Yet, the increasing commercialisation of higher education, where students are seen as ‘customers’ and universities operate like businesses, can create a deep sense of moral injury. The pressure to prioritise student satisfaction scores and revenue over intellectual integrity can leave academics feeling conflicted and disillusioned.

3. Precarity and Job Insecurity

The rise of fixed-term contracts, casual teaching roles, and mass redundancies has made job security in academia more precarious than ever. Even those in permanent roles are not immune to restructuring and budget cuts, leaving many feeling vulnerable and uncertain about their futures. This insecurity can contribute to anxiety, depression, and an overall sense of helplessness.

4. The Pressure to Perform which can contribute to isolation

Academics are often judged by their ability to publish in high-impact journals, secure research funding, and maintain a strong international profile. The ‘publish or perish’ culture fosters intense pressure, leading to imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and a sense of never being ‘good enough.’ For many, the joy of research is overshadowed by relentless performance metrics.

Despite working within institutions filled with people, many academics experience profound isolation. The highly competitive nature of academia can make it difficult to seek support from colleagues, and the hierarchical structures within universities often discourage open discussions about struggles. This isolation can exacerbate feelings of stress and emotional exhaustion.

Some notes from my personal experience

If you are working in Further or Higher Education in the UK, I am familiar with the context, have been there and still am but in a different ‘mode of working’ now, after having made some conscious and courageous choices that are geared towards my well-being. Having spent years working as a Senior Lecturer at different institutions, I have personally faced many of these joys and some of the challenges.  

Stepping away from full-time academia was not an easy decision, but it allowed me to reconnect with my passions in a different way. I now teach and supervise students at settings where staff & student wellbeing are taken seriously and work closely with colleagues towards creating a nurturing and supportive culture. This is in parallel with running my thriving private practice where part of my work as a therapist is to support fellow academics who are facing similar struggles, helping them navigate their own personal and professional challenges and contemplating together on what constitutes meaningful but not all-consuming work.

How Counselling Can Help

If you are an academic struggling with stress, burnout, job insecurity, or a loss of professional identity, counselling can provide a safe space to explore your experiences and find ways to regain balance. Counselling can help with:

• Burnout prevention and recovery: Learning strategies to manage workload and stress more effectively.

• Navigating moral injury: Understanding and processing the conflicts between personal values and institutional pressures.

• Career transitions: Exploring options within and beyond academia.

• Building resilience: Developing coping strategies for the unique pressures of university life.

• Work-life balance: Finding ways to reclaim time for personal well-being.

  
  

Moving Forward, I look forward to hearing from you!

If you are feeling overwhelmed, know that you are not alone. Seeking support as a ‘high achiever’ which is a common trait amongst academics, is not a sign of failure but a step towards reclaiming what matters in both your professional and personal life.

If any of these challenges resonate with you, I invite you to get in touch and book a discovery call to explore how counselling can provide the support you need. Together, we can find ways to navigate the complexities of academic life while prioritising your well-being and personal fulfilment.