Life presents many challenges – a properly designed and implemented employer sponsored EAP can help employees and their dependents manage these challenges.  Employers recognize that by offering an EAP the result can be increased productivity, lower absenteeism and improved employee morale at a reasonable expense.

Components of an EAP generally include clinical counseling and work-life services.

Clinical Counseling:
An effective EAP provides needs assessment with a credentialed clinical counselor – which can be either “face-to-face” or telephonic. Professional assistance commonly 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

Where appropriate, the counselor will identify and assess the problem and refer the participant for further diagnosis and treatment.

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 assessment plus referrals to area childcare and eldercare providers.
• Financial services – Budgeting, credit and financial guidance, retirement planning and assistance with tax issues.
• Legal services – Telephonic or face-to-face consultations for 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.

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
• “Ask the Expert” emotional health Q&A forum
• 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:
The Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA) – “The EAP Buyers Guide”
The EAP Page – “Choosing an EAP”