Relationship Rebuild & Communication Support
Service Type(s):
- Couples Counselling
- Communication Coaching
- Conflict Resolution Support
Service(s) Delivered:
- Joint Intake Session + Individual Check-ins (as needed)
- 8-Session Couples Program
- Communication Frameworks & Take-Home Exercises
A male client in his mid-40s, working as a supervisor on an offshore oil and gas rig off the northwest coast of Western Australia, sought counselling due to escalating exhaustion, stress, and emotional detachment. Having worked in the industry for over 15 years, he was accustomed to the high-pressure environment, but over the past two years, the demands of his supervisory role had become overwhelming. He was responsible for the safety, performance, and wellbeing of a large crew, often managing critical operations, strict deadlines, and high-stakes decision-making in an environment where mistakes could have serious consequences.
Working a 2:1 roster, he described the rig environment as “all-consuming,” with minimal downtime and constant responsibility. Even when off shift, his mind remained on the job, worrying about potential incidents or crew dynamics. He noted, “I’m never really switched off, even when I’m home, I’m still thinking about work. My body’s here, but my head’s still out there on the rig.”
The client presented with chronic fatigue, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and a growing sense of emotional numbness. He reported snapping at crew members over minor issues, feeling impatient with his family, and using alcohol to help him unwind during his limited time off. Despite his competence and leadership reputation, he privately felt depleted and disconnected, describing an inner sense of emptiness and dread before each swing back to work. He shared that he often felt “caught between being the strong leader everyone relies on and the human being who’s just worn out.”
Therapy began with psychoeducation around the effects of prolonged stress, disrupted sleep cycles, and the emotional toll of constant responsibility. Using a trauma-informed and somatic approach, counselling helped him recognise that his body had been in a chronic state of overdrive for years, constantly alert and braced for problems.
As therapy deepened, underlying beliefs around leadership and self-worth emerged. He had grown up with strong messages that “real men don’t show weakness” and that taking a break was “letting the team down.” These beliefs had contributed to his pattern of over-functioning, self-neglect, and emotional suppression. Counselling helped him reframe strength as the capacity to be self-aware, regulate emotions, and model healthy boundaries, qualities that ultimately enhanced his effectiveness as a leader.
Practical strategies were developed to support his recovery both on and off the rig. On-site, he began implementing brief breaks, delegating more tasks to trusted team members, and developing better sleep hygiene within the constraints of shift work. During his home weeks, he focused on restorative rest, physical activity, and meaningful reconnection with his partner and children, rather than collapsing in front of screens or relying on alcohol to decompress.
Over time, the client reported noticeable improvements in mood, focus, and energy. He became more patient with his crew, less reactive under stress, and more present with his family. Importantly, he began advocating for mental health and fatigue management within his team, encouraging open conversations about stress and resilience.
This case illustrates how FIFO counselling can support supervisors and leaders in high-pressure environments. By addressing the emotional and physiological effects of chronic stress, challenging unhelpful work-related beliefs, and developing sustainable self-care practices, counselling can help individuals restore balance, improve leadership capacity, and foster long-term wellbeing in demanding FIFO roles.
