The last of the human freedoms is to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances Victor Frankl

EAP & Counselling Services

Workplace counselling is a valuable resource for the organization that cares for its people. Research shows that counselling is a very concrete and effective way of promoting a professional and caring work culture. In the business context, the aim of counselling is to help staff members through a period during which personal or work-related problems are adversely effecting their satisfaction at work and/or their performance on the job. The counselling process helps people feel more in control of their lives and able to do something about what is not right for them.

WorkAssist provides direct counselling services or referrals to a number of qualified psychologists, psychotherapists, and agencies with specializations in various problem areas including:

o Relationship difficulties
o Grief and bereavement
o Stress related problems, including traumatic stress
o Depression and anxiety
o Transition difficulties including adjustment to new career positions
o Substance and alcohol abuse
o Sexual harassment and forms of discrimination

The company normally pays for a number (8 to 10) of counselling sessions, after which the progress of the client will be reviewed. The content of the sessions is strictly confidential but the visible outcomes in terms of behaviour changes that effect work performance can be discussed with the appropriate people, usually the person’s direct superior.

Workassist can also provide the necessary consultancy to set up the counseling services. This includes:

1. The formulation of an EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) policy.

2. The setting up of a referral system and procedure.

3. The provision of training for managers and supervisors that equips them to identify and refer people to the service. The training consists of three sessions of four hours each that cover the following content:

Session 1:  Sensitization to psychosocial problems at work.

This session will give participants a brief exposure of the range of possible psychosocial problems their staff may be facing. It will also sensitize them to the impact and consequences of these problems on the people suffering form them, as well as their colleagues, friends and families. It will also look at the effect of psychosocial problems on overall work performance and staff morale.

Session 2: Approaching or receiving people with psychosocial problems.

Serious mistakes are made by well meaning but untrained people   who try to give advice to someone with a psychosocial problem. This session will focus on how to avoid such mistakes and equip participants to do and say the right thing when approached by an employee or when they are approaching an employee themselves.

Session 3: The nature of helping professions and services

This session will look at the nature of various helping processes such as those that are related to counseling, psychotherapy, social work, psychiatry, etc. This is very important session as managers and supervisors need to know what is involved in order to encourage people to seek help. Also this session will address the stigma related to seeking help from such professions. Various services available will be highlighted as well as an explanation of the EAP policy and how it will operate.

Who Should Attend?

Ideally leaders in the organizations who have most direct contact with the majority of employees should attend this programme. These are usually middle managers and supervisors. This group may be called the EAP Outreach Team (EAPOT). However, it is also very beneficial for higher level managers to attend so that can be in a position to better understand, support and promote the employee assistance programme.