An Introduction to Employee Assistance Programs
Course Overview
Employee assistance programs (EAPs) serve organizations and their employees in many ways, ranging from consultation at the strategic level to assistance to employees and family members experiencing personal difficulties. As workplace programs, the structure and operation of individual EAPs vary according to the structure, function, and needs of the organization it serves. Each EAP is designed to help work organizations address productivity issues and identify and resolve a range of employee concerns (e.g., emotional, financial, legal). In this course, numerous case examples will demonstrate how to successfully navigate special topics and relationships associated with EAP work (such as formal management referral, drug-free workplace referrals, and union referrals). Because EAP is a work-based benefit, there are many concerns about confidentiality. A review of applicable laws and discussion about confidentiality will prepare clinicians to discuss the employees concerns competently. Finally, participants will review other benefits and elements of an EAP to help them build clients' awareness of resources.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Review EAP core technology.
- Differentiate EAPs from therapy.
- Discuss the problem of dual EAP clients.
- Identify EAP stakeholders and types of EAP referrals, including the use of call centers.
- Outline all aspects of an EAP appointment, including assessment, referral, and follow-up.
- Analyze the connection between substance abuse assessment and EAPs.
- Describe the relationship between unions and EAPs.
- Explain all services provided by an EAP and variations in program models.
- Discuss confidentiality in an EAP setting.
- Identify laws and organizations that impact and support the EAP community.
About the Author/Presenter
Jennifer Shotlander, LCSW, LCSW-C, LICSW, CEAP, is a licensed clinical social worker in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, and is a certified employee assistance professional. Ms. Shotlander is a counselor, consultant, and trainer in the employee assistance field. She provides consultation to organizational leadership, helping them to improve productivity within their organization. In addition, she provides assessment, referral, and short-term counseling to individual employees and family members who are experiencing personal problems or with other mental health and/or substance abuse concerns. Ms. Shotlander is the owner of Human Capital Plus, a provider of comprehensive EAP counseling and consulting solutions. She has provided EAP consultation to the Pentagon, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Washington Gas, and other private and public organizations. She graduated with her MSW from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Social Work in 2004, where she specialized in clinical EAP. She also has a certificate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Ms. Shotlander was a Commissioner with the Employee Assistance Certification Commission from 2010–2013 and served in leadership roles for the DC EAPA chapter. She has published in the Journal of Employee Assistance and Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping. In 2012, she was recognized as one of the “10 New Faces to Watch in Employee Assistance.”
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Counselor, Psychology, Social Work
If you require special accommodations, please contact Colibri Healthcare Support by clicking here: Contact Us
