What EAP Counseling Is and What It Means for Employees

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a psychological counseling service that a company funds for its employees, who can use it confidentially. In most cases, the company contracts an external employee counseling service for this, a provider that offers support with both work-related and personal concerns. Common reasons for seeking assistance include conflicts with coworkers or supervisors, as well as personal worries, such as those related to family or relationships.

Confidentiality in the Program

In a confidential program, the employer receives neither the content of the sessions nor the names of the participants. With a licensed psychotherapist or a professional psychologist, the legal duty of confidentiality under Section 203 of the Criminal Code (StGB) also applies in counseling; with other counselors, it depends on their professional group or on the contract. A second characteristic is access: The Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists’ checklist for such programs lists counselor confidentiality and employee anonymity as quality criteria, so that no one within the company can draw conclusions about individual employees. If you’re unsure, ask about these three specific things before your first session: who is providing counseling, how access works, and what information is shared with the company.

Counseling Independent of the Employer

Anyone who does not have access to such a program through their employer, does not wish to use it, or is looking for an additional conversation can seek private counseling, as a self-pay client and independent of the employer. I offer this individual counseling via video. A program is used mainly when employees believe that nothing gets back to the employer: it’s a matter of the person providing the counseling and the rule behind it.

This service is psychological counseling, not psychotherapy. It is not intended to diagnose, cure, or alleviate illnesses.