Our services include specialised counselling and clinical interventions for resolving a broad range of work-related and personal concerns. These services are provided by highly experienced psychologists using best practice guidelines.

A good place to start is to look around your workplace for promotional materials such as posters, brochures or business cards. These may be found in places like lunch rooms or staff noticeboards, and may have been included in an induction pack when you commenced employment. Additionally, your employer may post information about accessing an EAP on the company's staff intranet. These materials should provide you with the name and contact information of the company who has been contracted to provide the EAP.

 

If you still can't find any information, speak to your HR manager. They will be able to tell you for certain whether an EAP is available, and should treat your enquiry with appropriate discretion.

Assure Programs is a completely separate organisation that works independently from but in partnership with employers.

An EAP is based on the fundamental principle of confidentiality. This is an essential component of the service. As psychologists, we are bound by our professional Code of Ethics which protects the confidentiality of any issues or concerns employees may discuss with us. All Assure Programs services are provided in accordance with the National Privacy Principles of the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000.

We work as an independent entity from organisations, and any information that we provide to employers is strictly non-identifying and statistical, to ensure anonymity. It may be appropriate at times to discuss issues with supervisors or other workplace personnel. If this is relevant, our counsellors would discuss this with employees, and only initiate contact with the workplace if the employee has provided them with written authority to do so.

The only exceptions to this principle of confidentiality are if documentation is subpoenaed by the courts or any individual’s safety is threatened. However, most issues seen under EAP would not result in this.

When accessing Assure Programs services employees may be required to provide additional information such as how long you have worked for your employer, or how you heard about the EAP. Assure Programs use this information for non-identifying statistical purposes, which is associated with the operation of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Additionally, counsellors also complete a form on the types of issues and contributing factors that people present with when they access the EAP. Assure Programs uses this information to prepare strictly non-identifying reports. This information is used to help monitor the effectiveness of services provided through the EAP and to feed back relevant organisational material without compromising employee confidentiality.

Everyday problems, such as work stress, relationship troubles and coping with illness, can seriously affect your life. Addressing these concerns will help you maintain your wellbeing and good relationships. Psychologists equip people with the skills needed to function better and prevent difficulties.

 

You do not need a doctor's referral to consult a psychologist privately. If you cannot afford this, there is also a wide range of community-based support agencies such as Lifeline available. You can also try contacting your local University Psychology Department as many have clinics providing services at reduced rates.

 

You may also like to recommend to your employer that they consider offering an EAP to their employees. Having this service available to employees ensures that staff members feel supported and appreciated. An EAP can assist with issues surrounding work performance, productivity and job satisfaction, maintaining positive relationships within the workplace and at home, and improving employee engagement and organisational commitment.