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Before you go to a see an EAP counselor, it would
help to prepare for your session and know what to expect. That way, you will
more likely get the help you want and feel more at ease.
Here are a few notes and suggestions to help make your
experience relaxed and valuable.
Consider the Counselor as a Resource
Some people may feel uneasy or embarrassed about seeing a
counselor for personal problems. However, nearly everyone is faced at some time
with challenges that are difficult to resolve independently. Seeking assistance
for personal problems is just as acceptable as receiving assistance for medical
problems. Having personal problems doesn't mean "I'm crazy" or having a "nervous
breakdown" or "I'm a failure." Quite to the contrary, seeking assistance with a
problem is usually a prudent and wise step and a sign of personal strength.
Key Features of Your Employee Assistance Program
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Confidential Service-All services are treated with the strictest confidence.
The personal information that you share with your counselor is confidential.
Click here for additional information on
confidentiality in EAP sessions.
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Nationwide EAP Professional Network-Our network includes hundreds of licensed,
credentialed professionals who can help you with most situations seen in an
EAP. Our counselors are located throughout the country, including in some
BellSouth buildings, ensuring that care is never far away.
How Your Employee Assistance Program Can Help
An EAP counselor is available to assist you in a wide variety of
situations. The counselor that you speak with will help you:
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Clarify a problem-assess
and evaluate complex situations.
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Develop an action plan-identify steps to resolve the situation.
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Handle a crisis-help you sort through your options.
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Access resources-help you contact the most appropriate, effective, and
affordable resource.
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Resolve a problem-many concerns can be resolved quickly, in just a few
sessions. You may receive up to eight EAP sessions if your problem can be
resolved within that number of sessions. Your counselor will help you get the
assistance you need, and if necessary, refer you to a more appropriate
resource.
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Follow-up-whether the EAP counselor has helped you within the eight
sessions or you have been referred to other more appropriate resources, the
counselor will contact you to see whether the assistance you got or are
getting is helping you. Further assistance will be offered if necessary.
What to Bring to the First Session
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Written List of
Questions.
Write down your questions and concerns and bring the list with you. Sometimes
it's hard to remember all the problems or issues especially in a new
situation.
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Notes about Problem. Bring any notes, documents, or records that will
help you remember and describe the problem to the counselor.
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History of Problem. Include how long you've had the problem. Also
include similar problems you've had in the past and how you resolved them.
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Medication. Bring all current medications with the pharmacy label if
possible. It will help your counselor provide a more complete evaluation.
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Significant Others. Where appropriate, bring family members or other
significant people who are involved with the problem to the first session.
Session Process
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Environment.
A counselor's office is typically a private office in an accessible location.
The office will be comfortable, quiet, and designed for private conversations.
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Assessment. You may fill out some forms. The counselor will conduct an
assessment and then talk with you about problems, issues, and options.
Depending on your treatment needs, you may return for additional sessions.
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Referrals. The counselor may refer you to specialists or other
clinicians.
Adapted from "How to Prepare for Counseling" by Magellan
Behavior Health.
employee assistance programs referrals
supervisor referrals
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