Workplace Counselling

Employment Assistance Programme counselling (EAP) or workplace counselling is offered and funded by many employers to assist their employees.

It is intended to support staff with workplace issues (career choices, issues with managers or other staff members, redundancy for example), as well as any personal issues that may impact on the ability to work well. Usually three sessions are provided by the employer, but some do provide further sessions if required.

Employee Assistance Programmes are confidential programmes. This means that the identity of an employee utilising their programme will remain confidential. The exceptions to this are where harm to oneself or others could be prevented, or if some criminal activity is disclosed in the course of the programme.

There are three ways that an employee may be referred for EAP counselling:

1. Self referral: If you are worried about your personal or work problems you can seek help directly through their EAP programme. You do not have to seek permission from your employer to access a Programme.
2. Formal management referral: You can be referred to the EAP programme by a manager. In most cases these type of referrals are linked to a performance or behavioural issue that is being managed by the employer.
3. Informal management referral: You may seek help through the EAP at the suggestion of a co-worker, Human Resources representative, employee representative, manager or team leader or the Health and Safety representative.

Therapists at Talking Therapy have contracts with a number of organisations that coordinate EAP counselling.