An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a voluntary and confidential service for those who have concerns that affect their personal well-being or work performance. The program is available to employees at all levels and, in most cases, their family members (dependents). Not all employers offer EAPs. Check with your employer to see if they do.
Is this therapy?
This is a short-term, problem-solving service and often only a few sessions are required. If you need longer-term help or a more specialized service, the EAP counsellor can help identify the expertise required and make a referral in your community.
What type of concerns are addressed?
- Marriage and family
- Interpersonal relationships
- Personal and emotional issues
- Stress and burnout
- Work-related stress
- Problematic substance use
- Critical and traumatic incidents
- Conflict
- Grief
- Other concerns that affect or could affect personal well-being or work performance
How do I contact my EAP?
Any individual wishing to talk to a counsellor or make an appointment can call the EAP. Most have a 24-hour service, 365 days per year. Some have professionals available to address crisis and emergency issues immediately by phone.
Who offers this service?
Your employer is likely to make this service available to you and your family at no direct cost to you. The services are often provided by external EAP providers. You may get an appointment time and place outside your normal working hours and workplace for greater confidentiality. The number of sessions allowed varies but there are usually no fewer than three separate one-hour sessions and as many as 5 to 8 sessions per person per year.
What if you require more than the EAP can provide?
Your EAP counsellor can:
- Help you identify your treatment and service requirements
- Guide you towards specialized services in your community
- Coach you on how to access these services
In some cases, these additional services are free or offered for a fee on a sliding scale. Your group health plan may assist in covering some of the cost through reimbursement. Note: in some cases, you may need a referral from a medical physician to be reimbursed. Your group health benefits plan should have these details available to you. Your Human Resource advisor, a union representative or your supervisor can also assist in finding this information.
See Health resources for tools and resources to manage your health and wellness and information to help others.
Note: This is for general information only. Check with your employer to get contact information for any benefits, including EAP, provided to you.
If you’re a Canada Life plan member, go to https://my.canadalife.com/sign-in to learn more about your benefits and to see if an EAP is available through your benefits plan.
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