Just wondering if anyone has gone through their employee assistance program and what it is like? It's been a rough year and am finally to the point of needing someone to help me wade through the mental diarrhea in my head.
Do you get the same counseling/therapy as you would if you were to go through your doctor and get a referral? It is, as I understand, confidential--like no secret marks on your employee file "Watch out for this one--she's crazy!"?
I am really nervous. It's easy to tell the patients about how many resources are available to them if they just use them. It's different when your the one floundering.
EAP should be confidential unless you are referred by your boss for performance issues. I know some bosses got a progress report but that was because boss sent employee to EAP for specific reason.
EAP should be confidential unless you are referred by your boss for performance issues. I know some bosses got a progress report but that was because boss sent employee to EAP for specific reason.
The operative word here is "should". I was not referred by my boss. I went on my own because there was family stuff going on that had nothing to do with work or my job performance. The next thing I knew I was being talked to by my boss about things that were told to the EAP person. There's no way I will ever go to another EAP unless I'm forced to.
The operative word here is "should". I was not referred by my boss. I went on my own because there was family stuff going on that had nothing to do with work or my job performance. The next thing I knew I was being talked to by my boss about things that were told to the EAP person. There's no way I will ever go to another EAP unless I'm forced to.
That stinks that the EAP counselor broke your confidentiality. They should be there to help you not make your life harder.
For a $15 co-payment, I would see who I would like to--someone of my choosing.
I think EAP has it's place, and most often it is used as a service that is requested if the employee has an issue at work that needs to be resolved, or an issue that is personal but reflecting on work. It is also meant for personal use--meaning that it is a counseling reference that is not work related. But where it is tied to your employment "benefits" than I would be careful.
Divorce is never an easy thing to say the very least. It really can make one feel as if they are not in their right mind. You start to question everything. To process all of this takes some work. So I think that to establish a counselor long term would be to your benefit.
The operative word here is "should". I was not referred by my boss. I went on my own because there was family stuff going on that had nothing to do with work or my job performance. The next thing I knew I was being talked to by my boss about things that were told to the EAP person. There's no way I will ever go to another EAP unless I'm forced to.
I used EAP once, when I was dealing with infertility. My infertility doc and NP both begged me to see a counselor, and finally sort of gave me an ultimatum. Looking back, I wish I'd done it sooner. I was desperate to get pregnant, and working in Labor & Delivery. Not the best situation. I ended up going to one very helpful session, and then I got pregnant before the next appointment came around. Our EAP was supposed to be confidential. Everyone at work knew what I was dealing with any way.
nrsang97, BSN, RN
2,602 Posts
EAP should be confidential unless you are referred by your boss for performance issues. I know some bosses got a progress report but that was because boss sent employee to EAP for specific reason.