What services are provided?

• 24 hour, 7 days a week access
• Central intake 800 number
• Coordination of benefits
• Critical Incident Stress Debriefings (CISD)
• EAP orientations
• Educational seminars
• Flexible session models (determined by each contract)
• Multiple locations
• Referrals to community resources
• Self-renewing contracts
• Statewide affiliate providers
• Supervisory trainings and consultations
• Utilization reports

Frequently Asked Questions...

1. I have a family member that is not covered under my insurance plan, can they still use the EAP.

Yes. Anyone in your family that may or may not be on your insurance plan is eligible to utilize the EAP.

2. My child is having problems at school and I'd like to have them tested for ADD, can the EAP test them?

We receive many calls asking if we provide evaluation for ADHD because a parent suspects their child may have a learning disorder. In many cases the parent has been informed by the school that it is believed their child has a learning disorder.

As an eligible employee member, you are welcome to see a counselor regarding the evaluation process and determine if a formal evaluation is indicated. There is a law, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American Disabilities Act (ADA) that ensures children's access to education. Further information on this topic can be reviewed through an article in LDOnline regarding Section 504, the ADA, and Public Schools. There is also an informative article by Camino Medical Group  outlining a Step-by-Step Procedure for Initiating Help from the Public Schools.

For more information on this topic, please refer to our EAP Helpful Resource Links .

3. My supervisor said I had to come to the EAP, is that true?

No. The EAP is a voluntary program and most of the clients are self-referred; however, on occasion, a Supervisory Referral, may be involved. This type of referral may be based on job performance or other job-related concerns. Participation in the EAP is not a job-saving requirement. Instead, it is a place for the employee to address problems that may be impacting work and to work on solutions.

4. A co-worker in my department is really depressed, can the EAP call them and schedule an appointment.

The EAP is a voluntary and confidential service. We can not and will not contact anyone to utilize the service. Initial contact and subsequent contacts must be made by the potential client unless they are a minor.

5. I have been asked to participate in an anger management program. Does the EAP provide this service?

As a benefit provided to you through the Employee Assistance Program, you are entitled to a prescribed number of sessions each year to come and speak with a counselor. Your counselor is qualified to work with you on anger management issues. If a formal anger management program is necessary, your counselor can help you find a program through your insurance plan or through some other community resource. Any referrals for these services beyond the sessions allotted through the EAP by a contracted EAP provider will be at the expense of the employee.

6. Will the EAP provide forensic services for me or a family member?

No, the EAP only provides evaluation and short term counseling services. Forensic services will need specialized individuals to provide these more in-depth evaluations and ongoing services. Thus, we will assist you with finding these referrals within your health care network.

7. Are the EAP workshops and seminars open to the public?

No. The EAP workshops and seminars are only available to our respective clients and their company.

8. Is the EAP really confidential?

Confidentiality is the keystone of the Employee Assistance Program. Confidentiality must be strictly adhered to at all times. The EAP will not even acknowledge to friends, family members, co-workers, supervisors or spouses whether or not you have made an appointment unless you sign a release for us to do so.

9. What are some of the things the EAP does not cover or provide?

The EAP does not influence job security or reputation.  The EAP does not influence future employment. The EAP does not provide protection from disciplinary action for continued poor job performance. The EAP will not physically come and transport a person to or from a session. The EAP does not offer or provide medication. The EAP will not release information to anyone without a signed release. The EAP will not initate contact with a potential client.

10. Does the EAP provide financial assistance?

The EAP does not offer financial assistance. We can however, provide the names of local community organizations that may offer this type of service. Please note that we do not guarantee that these organizations will have funds available.

11. What do I do if I need to cancel a scheduled appointment?

It is very important that you keep your scheduled appointments. We understand that situations will occasionally arise that prohibit you from coming in. When you are aware that you will need to cancel your appointment with us please give us a call at 214/648-5330, leave a message if no one is available. Or please E-mail us at eap@utsouthwestern.edu . If you have been referred to an outside counselor please contact their office in a timely manner. Please note that frequent cancellations or No Shows and No Calls can result in lost sessions.

12. What type of degree and experience does an EAP counselor have?

All of the counselors are at least Master's Level and are licensed in the State of Texas to practice. All of the EAP counselors have many years of experience and expertise. We do require annual updates of certifications and credentials when necessary.

13. I have found a counselor through my insurance and they said that my EAP should cover my first few visits. Is this true?

The EAP contracts with a handful of community providers for the convenience of the employees and their families if they have specialized or after-hour counseling needs. Please call our office at 800-386-9156 or 214-648-5330 or e-mail us at EAP@UTSouthwestern.edu to check and see if that counselor is one of our EAP Affiliates. If your counselor is one of our Affiliates, you may use your EAP sessions before accessing your insurance benefit.

14. I thought I received counseling sessions for each issue that I may have or a family member may have, please explain.

Depending on the contract your company has purchased, you may be provided a limited number of counseling sessions per problem per year. Your employer realizes that there are circumstance that come up throughout the year for their employees that would benefit from seeing a counselor. For instance you may be experiencing a change in work environment that is causing you some stress and feel you would like to see a counselor. Later in the year you may find your child is having problems at school. These are two clearly different problems. If your plan allows you counseling sessions per problem issue, you would be entitled to see a counselor for each of these problems. It is ultimately up to the clinical interpretation of the EAP Director and the counselor to determine the qualification of a unique incident should there ever be a question.

15. Why are there no EAP counselors in my area?

The EAP network is not as extensive as your insurance network. The EAP has contracted with a few providers in the community as a courtesy to the employees because we realize it is often inconvenient to get away from your job during work hours or get children from school down to the EAP counseling offices. If special needs require you or your family members to use one of our community providers, and you are not able to make arrangements to access these providers, the EAP will be able to help you access care through your insurance benefit.

16. If I know of a great counselor in my area what can I do to recommend them for consideration as an EAP counselor?

Have them give the EAP a call or send us an E-mail.

Call us at (214) 648-5330 or (800) 386-9156 for further information.  Or, you may contact us by e-mail at eap@utsouthwestern.edu.

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