EAP - Information for Employers

FAQ:

• What is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?

  • An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential, employer sponsored benefit designed to support employees’ mental health and well-being. It provides short-term counseling, referrals, and wellness resources to help employees manage personal or work-related challenges that could impact job performance.

  • Employers contract with an EAP provider, who has licensed, experienced mental health therapists available to provide mental health counseling to their employees, for managing both personal and work-related challenges. Services include clinical support for mental health, substance abuse, and work/life issues, development of customized treatment plans and short-term counseling using a solution-focused approach, in addition to resources and referrals as needed. ​

• What is the cost? 

  • Our EAP offers customizable packages with flexible fee structures to meet your business’s needs. Options may include:

Per Employee Per Month (PEPM): A fixed monthly rate

per employee, regardless of usage.

Fee-for-Service (Pay-as-You-Go): You pay only for the

services utilized. This is our most selected package for businesses just

starting with this service - Employers are billed $200 per session. A

$50 fee applies for late cancellations (under 24 hours) or no-shows.​

Session-Based Packages: Purchase a set number of sessions for employees to use collectively.​

• How does the employer benefit from Iowa Family Counseling's EAP Service? ​

  • Supporting employees' mental health brings significant benefits to employers. It leads to improved productivity, reduced absenteeism, and a more engaged workforce, all the while fostering a positive workplace culture! When employees can address challenges early, they’re better able to focus, perform, and thrive at work.

• What about the financial benefit to the employer?

  • Healthier employees often mean lower healthcare costs and fewer disruptions due to burnout or turnover. Preventing issues before they escalate saves both time and resources.

• Are the services confidential? ​Can the employer receive any information about employee use? 

  • All sessions are confidential and comply with HIPAA and state privacy laws. Information will not be shared with the employer without the employee’s written consent, except as required by law (e.g., risk of harm or abuse reporting).​

  • Upon request, Iowa Family Counseling can supply quarterly, anonymized reports showing general utilization trends, while maintaining employee confidentiality.

• Is an employee's family member(s) eligible for EAP sessions?

  • That is up to you - the employer - to decide! Support services can often be extended to family members, ensuring holistic care and stability at home as well as in the workplace.

• We're in! How do we get started? ​

  • Reach out to Elisa Lyons, Owner & Director, to schedule an introductory meeting to answer any remaining questions and complete agreement(s). ​