What is an EAP?

EAP stands for Employee Assistance Program. Many local companies provide EAPs services for their employees.

Most EAPs have a toll free number which is answered 24 / 7. Trained counselors can offer crisis counseling on the phone, answer questions and provide referrals for counseling. Some EAPs also give referrals for child and elder care.

Usually an EAP will cover 3 to 8 sessions of counseling with a counselor in the community. The counseling is paid for by the company and there is no charge to the employee. The company does not receive any information about which individual employees use the counseling services.

The only times that counseling information is not confidential are:
1) If the employer mandates that the employee receive counseling.
2) If the employee reveals that they are suicidal, homocidal or abusing children or elders.

Using your EAP is a way to try out counseling for free. Many immediate problems can be resolved with 3 to 8 sessions of counseling.

If the problem turns out to have deeper roots, it is usually possible to continue working with the counselor and use your regular insurance (such as Blue Shield, Aetna, Blue Cross) to pay for the counseling. Regular insurance covers counseling at 80% and the client pays a co-pay of $20 to $35 for each session.

I accept referrals from several EAPs including CompPsych, SAVE, and Anthem Blue Cross EAP.