Intervention > EAP Counselling


What is Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Counselling?
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Counselling is an initiative on behalf of employers to provide their staff with confidential counselling and support for work and personal issues. Employers today understand that, if staff members are positive about their jobs and lives, then their work performance and overall wellbeing will be higher.

EAP counsellors talk with employees in ways that help them find ways to solve their problem/s or at least gain a greater understand of their situations so they can better manage the issues concerning them.

EAP on-site counselling is confidential and voluntary.

How does EAP Counselling Work?
EAP counselling is a process which involves a staff member speaking with a counsellor either face-to-face, over the telephone, in writing, via the Internet or by video conferencing. People based in remote work locations frequently use the telephone and email for counselling and support.

Employees who decide to use their EAP counselling services are required to book their initial appointment over the telephone. ITIM provides a freecall 1800 337 068 number that does not appear on telephone bills. The only information employees will be asked over the telephone is their name, the name of their employer and possibly a telephone number for reaching them.

An employee’s first session with a counsellor generally lasts about one hour. During this time the staff member talks with the counsellor about the key issues that brought them to counselling. ITIM counsellors are trained to help people focus on and talk about issues that are preventing them from achieving their goals. In following sessions, with the assistance of their counsellor, employees start to work towards resolving their issues.

ITIM counselling sessions take place at the EAP provider’s office or can be provided at the work site if requested. On average, people attend between three and eight appointments, although one visit may be all that is required. In some situations, people may need to see the counsellor for a longer period of time.

The employer is invoiced for the session. At no time, is an employee’s name released to their employer. The employer, however, will receive information such as how many staff members are using the service and the types of issues that were discussed.

Is EAP Counselling for You?
EAP counselling is available for employees whose employers have EAP contracts with ITIM.

Talking with an ITIM counsellor can help employees to identify and resolve issues that may be causing them difficulty. It is possible they may be feeling stressed or overwhelmed with work or personal commitments and sometimes it is hard to know what to do or who they can talk with, particularly about concerns they would like to keep private. Immediate family may also be able to seek support.

ITIM counsellors say people talk to them about:
• workplace conflict
• managing heavy workloads
• problem solving
• coping with change
• stress
• anger
• motivation and self-esteem
• down-sizing and redundancies
• workplace bullying, harassment and abuse
• dealing with a crisis
• career transitions
• emotional difficulties
• relationship and family problems
• gambling, drug, alcohol and other addictions
• depression, anxiety and phobias
• grief, bereavement and loss
• suicide
• family conflict
• pain management, and
any other issue that is affecting work performance.

Counselling is not about giving advice. It is about helping and supporting a person to understand their situation and to find answers that work for them. Counselling is a friendly, supportive and positive approach to personal development. While counselling is often only sought at times of change or crisis, it can be helpful at any time in a person’s life.

Counselling is confidential within the limits of legal and professional boundaries. When an employee sees an ITIM counsellor, no details of their issues are discussed with anyone without their permission. An employee’s job security will not be affected. ITIM does provide periodical reports to an organisation’s management. These reports only contain information on the number of employees using the service and the types of issues for which people sought help.

What are the Benefits of Counselling?
Benefits to employers may include:
• lower turnover of key staff
• increased worker morale
• greater productivity
• improved workplace relations
• being seen as an employer of choice
• positive relationship with the media
• more likely to be meeting Occupational Health and Safety regulations
• minimisation of risk and cost savings – less costs associated with recruiting and inducting staff, accidents and injuries, mistakes, absenteeism, shutdowns, work cover premiums, litigation and poor performance

Benefits for employees have been found by studies that show employees who receive between three and eight sessions of counselling report a significant improvement in:
• morale
• mental and physical wellbeing
• motivation and commitment to the workplace
• attendance at work
• perceived quality of life at work and home
• ability to cope with problems and difficulties that led them to seek counselling
• capacity to apply skills learnt during counselling in other areas of their lives
• ability to manage work-related stress
• develop new ways of dealing with problems
• see difficulties more objectively
• express feelings and come to terms with new or past experiences
• change unwanted feelings
• build self esteem
• take control of life
• become more assertive
• communicate more effectively
• set realistic goals
• develop a positive outlook and a healthier lifestyle.

Why Choose ITIM?
• All ITIM counsellors are qualified professionals with many years’ experience in their specialty areas. These include psychology, social work, counselling, organisational design, economics, sociology, pastoral care, education, theology and ethics.
• ITIM counsellors are good listeners and provide unbiased strategies and ideas to help people deal with their problems.
• Counsellors belong to their professional associations.
• ITIM is a Level One Member of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association of Australia Inc.