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Employee Assistance Plans

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are employee-benefit plans offered by many employers in conjunction with their health insurance plan. EAPs are intended to help employees deal with personal problems and manage challenges that might adversely impact their work performance, health and well-being. EAPs may include assessment, counseling and referral services for employees and their household members. A well-designed EAP can increase productivity, lower absenteeism and improve employee morale at a reasonable expense.

Clinical Counseling

An effective EAP will provide needs assessments with a credentialed clinical counselor. Where appropriate, the counselor will identify and assess problems and refer the participant for further diagnosis and treatment. Professional assistance is available for a wide range of emotional health, family and work issues, including:

  • Marriage, relationship and family problems
  • Alcohol and drug dependency
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Depression
  • Grief and loss

Work-Life Services

In addition to assessment and referral services for clinical issues, an EAP can assist with the following life issues facing employees and their families:

  • Childcare and eldercare assistance - Needs assessments and referrals to local childcare and eldercare providers.
  • Financial services - Budgeting, credit and financial guidance, retirement planning and assistance with tax issues.
  • Legal services - Advice on issues relating to civil, consumer, personal and family law, financial matters, business law, real estate and estate planning.
  • Identity theft recovery services - Information on ID theft prevention and resolution assistance.
  • Daily living services - Referrals to concierge services that help with everyday errands, travel and event planning.

Self-Help Services

A comprehensive EAP also includes online self-help services to members. The following are examples of information available via most EAP vendors' websites:

  • Search for a counselor and get a referral
  • Emotional health Q&A forums
  • Online assessments and self-help programs for stress, depression, insomnia, anxiety and substance abuse
  • Online estate planning information and tools, including an online will-making program
  • Resource library of helpful tips, tools and articles

Additional Resources