Ever wonder what an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is?
Well, first of all it provides you with free counseling!
It’s a confidential benefit that your employer may very well offer to you and your family. One study shows that 77% of employers offer an EAP to their employees. An EAP helps employees deal with issues like: work-life stressors, family issues, relationship problems, anxiety and depression. It is often available to both employees and their families. Employees have a confidential place to go with their personal problems.
An EAP provides referrals to free outside counseling (that’s where I come in), resources, and other services. Any employee assistance received by employees or family members remains confidential. So while the employer pays for the service, they have no insight into an employee’s specific use of the service.
Normally, what happens is that an employee under stress calls a phone number to get immediate help, on topics like:
- Mental health issues – depression, anxiety, anger management or other needs an employee or their family members may be dealing with.
- Workplace personality conflicts
- Marriage and family issues
- Drug addiction
- Interpersonal communication issues
- Health and caregiving issues
- Legal and family advice
- Grief assistance
Then if you would like professional counseling, most EAPs provide a set number of outside counseling sessions with someone like me, from 1-10 sessions, at no cost to the employee. After the free sessions, oftentimes you can continue counseling through your medical insurance mental health coverage. The EAP can really help you get the ball rolling. Call or email me if you have questions or would like to see if I participate with your EAP – lipcounseling@gmail.com or 484-876-1842.
