Employee assistance is the work organization's resource that utilizes specific core technologies to enhance employee and workplace effectiveness through prevention, identification and resolution of personal and productivity issues. An employee assistance program (EAP) is a workplace based program designed to assist:
1. work organizations in addressing productivity issues, and
2. "employee clients" in identifying and resolving personal concerns, including health, marital, family, financial, alcohol, drug, legal, emotional, stress, or other personal issues that may affect job performance.
Individuals who provide this service come from a variety of backgrounds. While many EA professionals have master's degrees or training in social work, psychology or counseling, most EA professionals have an intimate knowledge and experience of working with people who have addictions.
How do I get a job in the EA field?
Getting a job in the field would entail obtaining training and experience in the areas mentioned above and then finding the employers who might hire you. By joining EAPA and attending the Chapter meetings, you will meet many of the people who have that information and who are already in the EAP field locally.
For job postings with EAPA, click here.
What is EAPA?
Starting in 1971, the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA) is the largest and oldest professional group for EAPs. With a membership of over 5,000 in about 100 Chapters in the United States and ten Chapters in other countries, EAPA is committed to providing on-going education, training and support to those in the employee assistance field as well as promoting the concept of Employee Assistance.
EAPA developed the EAP Core Technology that articulates the purposes and goals of EA programs. Click here to access the core technology and EAPA's Code of Ethics.
What is SCEAPA?
SCEAPA is a close-knit group of professionals working together to support the EA profession. SCEAPA was chartered in 1990 as a state chapter of EAPA, and the group has thrived since that time! The members of SCEAPA come from various professional paths. Some are staff members of internal and external EAPs; others are behavioral health clinicians in private practice. SCEAPA's members also include marketing professionals from various treatment programs throughout the country.
SCEAPA meets four times a year for relevant trainings and chapter business meetings. For more information about dates, topics and directions, click here.
What is a CEAP?
A Certified Employee Assistance Professional, or CEAP, is the only recognized credential in the EA profession. It recognized that a person has extensive experience and knowledge of the EA field. Information about the requirements for becoming a CEAP can be found here.
What are PDHs?
Professional Development Hours (PDHs) are like Continuing Education Units. They are used to become certified or maintain certification as a CEAP. They can be earned by attending a Chapter training and are often offered in conjunction with our monthly meetings.
What is the Employee Assistance Specialist-Clinical training?
The EAS-C is a role specific training designated for mental health professionals in private practice in the United States who contract with EAP companies to provide EA services to work organizations, employees and families. This is an informational training well suited for any licensed professional seeking to learn more about EA work.
To learn more about this training, click here.
Where is the EAPA Annual Conference this year?
Every year, EAPA hosts the World EAP Conference where professionals from all over the world gather. The 2018 Conference will be held in Minneapolis. Click here for more information
