What is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
External consultants (counsellors, psychologists) are commonly provided by workplaces to support employees (usually at no cost to employees) undergoing work and personal difficulties. Some workplaces offer a limited number of sessions with the EAP provider obtaining approval from the employer if they believe further sessions would be beneficial.
EAP services generally include:
- access to professional counselling for work and personal issues
- health promotion information e.g. diet, smoking cessation
- fitness and relaxation information and exercise programs
- training e.g. time management, learning other coping skills.
Benefits of EAP
- Free
- Confidential
- Immediate family members can attend
- Address work and non-work issues.
Locating an EAP provider
You can find an EAP provider through:
- The Employee Assistance Professional Association of Australia provides a list of EAPs throughout Australia. Click on the map to find an EAP in your state.
- The Australian Health Practitioners Registration Agency has search facilities to assist in locating Registered Psychologists in your area.
- The Yellow Pages can also provide information on EAPs by following the prompts and searching under Psychologists or Occupational Health and Safety.
- Your workplace’s employee information notice board, intranet, human resources department, personnel officer or supervisor can provide details of how to contact the workplace’s EAP providers.