The Value of an EAP

EAP stands for Employee Assistance Program. NewDay Counseling offers EAP to companies and organizations in the Savannah and surrounding areas. The value of an EAP depends on the employer’s understanding and appreciation of the EAP and the EAP’s ability to provide quality and proficiency to the company and it’s employees.

EAPs help educate employees regarding job stress, coping skills, effective communication, trauma, workplace harassment, organization learning (team building), etc . A good EAP will offer innovative training which helps companies maintain a healthy workplace that values openness and truth telling. If employees, including management, understand workplace issues, they’re more capable of dealing with problems as they arise before they turn in crises.

Another part of EAP is short-term counseling. This you could say is the main purpose of EAP, to provide a safe place for employees to deal with personal problems in a few sessions with an EAP counselor. Many problems that affect people’s mental and emotional state in the workplace are a result of stress, being overwhelmed. Talking with someone in a safe, confidential environment is very helpful and prevents the problems from getting bigger and causing more problems.

Every once in awhile, though, the EAP counselor will find a need to refer the employee to appropriate sources for a higher level of care or advice, such as the employee who has a drinking problem that requires treatment, or severe financial problems that require the insight of a financial counselor, or an employee who has a troubled child at home and doesn’t know what to do or where to turn. EAP professionals should have the education background in counseling sufficient to determine when an employee requires short-term counseling and when an employee requires referral to a specialist. It’s also important that the EAP counselor is certified as a CEAP, Certified Employee Assistance Professional. Certification insures that the counselor receives ongoing specialized training yearly. EAP is a huge benefit when employees are in crisis and don’t know what to do.

EAP is there to support those who have problems that aren’t resolved in a few counseling sessions. An employee recovering from alcoholism can use EAP as ongoing support in recovery. The employee feels more confident when the employer understands the problem and is willing to provide support. If EAP is used properly, it’s a great benefit to employees and companies who value a healthy and happy workplace.