FAQs

Q. What is an Employee Assistance Program and how does it differ from medical benefits?

A. An Employee Assistance Program provides confidential professional counseling services, training, and consultation. Funded by the employer, it is a resource for the employer, employees, and their family members. The EAP can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is not considered a medical benefit, and offers help for the whole spectrum of personal issues that may or may not impact upon job performance. The EAP can also locate resources for eldercare, financial and legal services, support groups, and various other needs

Q. How is confidentiality ensured?

A. Wheeler EAP abides by all federal and state confidentiality laws and regulations, including HIPAA. Client confidentiality is maintained at all levels and throughout all phases of care.

Q. How many counseling sessions do employees receive? Are employees only allowed to use the EAP once a year?

A. The Wheeler EAP tailors the program model to meet your organization's needs. We offer 3, 4, 5, and 7 visit EAP models. Employees and their dependents may access the program more than once per year; there is no annual limitation.

Q. What are the qualifications of your therapists?

A. Our providers are experienced, licensed clinical social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, child psychologists, and substance abuse counselors. All have had a minimum of 5 years of EAP experience, are trained to assess substance abuse, carry professional liability coverage, and have been screened for their clinical abilities.

Q. What happens when a supervisor or manager needs to refer an employee?

A. A manager can refer a troubled employee by calling either of our toll-free phone numbers, and EAP management staff will consult with the manager about the job performance problems. We will also ask the employee to sign a consent form which will allow us to communicate with the manager regarding the employee's attendance at EAP visits and follow-through with recommendations. We will track these cases beyond the EAP benefit, and will stay in contact with the manager until the problem is resolved.

Q. What is the difference between your program and "free" EAPs that are offered as part of a total benefits package?

A. Many so-called "free" EAPs only offer phone counseling or referrals to local mental health agencies. Face-to-face counseling, management consultation, training, 24-hour crisis response, and more are the components of the full-service, personalized, and user-friendly EAP that we offer to organizations all over the country.