The question of ‘how confidential is the EAP service?’ is one of the most common enquiries that we receive from employees wishing to access our service.  All of our client organisations are very respectful of the right for their employees to attend counselling without being identified.  For this reason we have a number of processes that protect the individual when attending.

 The only deviation from these processes is for specialist manager initiated counselling, and you would be briefed fully during this process.  This happens rarely as does a psychologist needing to report a serious threat of harm to any individual.

ACCESS Programs does offer appointments after hours most evening of the working week as convenience for couples and family units.  However all of our client companies have the understanding that their employees can access counselling during working hours, especially if they wish to access an urgent appointment.  

Fortunately there is no stigma attached to counselling in the modern arena, particularly for workplaces.  Our client companies have a very good understanding of the benefits of EAP’s in supporting employees who are experienced difficult times, and that early intervention of these issues can result in more productive employees in the workplace.  Most supervisors and managers receive training in recognising employees that are seemingly impacted by emotional issues and also in helpful conversations in order to maximise assistance for these employees.

ACCESS Programs are an accredited Employee Assistance Program operating under the guidelines of our governing body – Employee Assistance Professionals Association of Australia Inc. (EAPAA). This requires that counsellors are tertiary qualified psychologists or Social Workers registered with their association and having a minimum or 5 years counselling. This is to ensure appropriately qualified counsellors for our client companies.  In most cases our counsellors have more than 10 years experience in the EAP field and are registered psychologists.

Yes.  Any employee that is eligible for ACCESS Programs EAP is able to attend counselling with any individual that has agreed to attend with you.  Where the eligibility of persons attending comes into question is when the individual attends alone without your presence.  In these situations the criteria for eligibility for most of our client companies is that the family member resides in the same household and is a partner or dependent child.  This can vary for client companies and it is important to discuss this when you telephone for an appointment on 1300 66 77 00.