Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Services Australia

Short-term counselling is the most common service offered by EAP providers, however it need not be restricted to this. Allos Australia’s EAP method recognises that wellbeing is influenced by many factors; from financial pressures and nutrition, to career advice and leadership challenges.

The simple answer is, no. Neither your employer, your boss, or human resources can require you to use the EAP. Nevertheless, there’s nothing wrong with people recommending that you use the EAP service. While there is still considerable stigma around the topic of mental health, we are working towards a future where people recommend seeing a psychologist or counsellor as freely as they recommend seeing a doctor or a dentist. It’s all health in the end, and there should be no shame in seeking professional assistance. 

An EAP service is not a mandatory requirement under Australian law. However, under Australian work health and safety laws, all business owners have a legal responsibility to provide a safe work environment.

Importantly, the law does not distinguish between mental and physical safety. Therefore, employers are legally obligated not to cause mental injury, or mental illness. At the same time, employees have a WHS obligation to take care of their own health safety, as well as take care not to do anything that could hurt others.

Because poor mental health leads to distraction, accidents, conflict and suffering it’s vital that businesses have in place systems, services and a culture that prevent these hazards.

Traditional, reactive counselling programs are not the answer. What is needed is a holistic approach that incorporates systemic preventative measures throughout the organisation. Allos Australia’s proactive and whole-of-organisation approach is designed with is in mind.

Seeking EAP counselling can play a vital role in keeping your job. This is because poor mental health can have such a dramatic impact on both cognitive function and mood regulation that you may find yourself unable to fulfill your role responsibilities, or you may be lashing out at colleagues and even creating a safety risk. It can also assist in the prevention of a critical incident or other major issues which can put your job at risk. 

If you find yourself increasingly irritated, snapping at colleagues, or unable to focus or stay motivated, it’s a good idea to reach out and seek support from your EAP before things get worse. 

When implemented properly, an EAP benefits employers, employees and their families. This is because poor mental health affects not only the individual but everyone they’re connected to. 

However, the true benefits can only be realised if the EAP provider is actively engaged in your organisations and deeply understands the unique issues your organisation faces.

Confidentiality regulations for EAP counselling follow are the same as regular counselling; conversations and any information shared within a counselling session will be held in the strictest confidence. The only circumstances in which the counsellor can break confidentiality are if; 

• The individual attending counselling specifically requests sharing of the information. This must be done in writing. 
• If the counsellor believes the individual attending counselling poses a genuine risk of harm to themselves or others.
• A court order or subpoena

Prior to reaching out for EAP assistance, employees feel vulnerable, unheard, and overwhelmed by their situation. Consequently, they are unsure of how to move forwards in life. The aim of EAP counselling is to help them regain that clarity and control over their life. 

Supportive counselling facilitates this by normalising their experiences, building self-esteem through reassurance and encouragement, then looking at ways to reframe their situation. 

At the same time, counsellors will incorporate techniques from a range of therapeutic methodologies, depending on what will be most appropriate to the individual and their challenges. Commonly used types of therapy include; Cognitive behavioural therapy CBT, Interpersonal therapy, Action and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Family Systems Therapy, Solution-focused Brief Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR).