Being a direct service provider can be really hard. Our work is often physically and mentally draining and hard to let go of at the end of the day. Our clients look to us to help them with their problems, but sometimes we have our own. An Employment Assistance Program (EAP) differs from supervision by giving your staff extra support to explore challenges in their life that are impacting their workplace performance or satisfaction. EAP is a time-limited supportive therapy resource meant to create a space to sort out specific personal concerns that may be impacting their performance or sustainability in the field.

Examples include:

• Burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma

• Feeling overwhelmed, overworked, and underappreciated

• Personal loss, grief, or management of a provider’s mental health disorder

• Significant life transitions, such as caretaking an elderly parent, birth of a child, and preparing for retirement

• Sleeplessness, workplace anxiety, imposter syndrome, and responsibility aversion

• Illness, disability and accessibility, and other physical health considerations

• Mediation and conflict resolution amongst colleagues

• Feeling a lack of direction, meaning, or purpose in the work