SERVICES FOR EMPLOYEES
ELIGIBILITYAll full time and part time employees receive employee assistance services. Spouses, domestic partners and children (26 and under) are also eligible for services.
AFTER HOURS CRISIS TELEPHONE RESPONSE
Trained employee assistance professionals are available to assist clients in crisis after 5:00pm.
EMPLOYEE RESOURCE WEBSITE
Employees will have access to an employee assistance website with your company logo. The website will contain an orientation to employee assistance services and benefits, links to community services and work-life assistance. Self-testing for anxiety, depression and other mental health issues will also be available for employees on the website. After taking the test, the employee will receive links to appropriate resources. Accessing the website is confidential.
EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS
Counselors are available to provide onsite seminars, workshops and group counseling. Common topics for employees include:
- Chronic Stress: The Impact on Physical and Emotional Health
- Shifting Out of the Stress Drain: It's All about the Heart
- Mindfulness for Stress Reduction
- Dealing with the Holidays
- Anxiety, ADHD and Work Performance
- Cooperative Communication
- Divorce Support
- Grief Support
- Caregiver Support
- Autism Support
ASSESSMENT
During their first visit, clients are assessed individually to determine the nature of their issue and how we can best assist them. At the end of the session, the client and therapist will develop a set of goals and a plan of action.
REFERRAL
Referral to trusted community services is available for work-life issues such as legal problems, eldercare issues and childcare.
For mental health problems that require longer term or specialized treatment, our staff will work with each client to find services that are covered by their health insurance and best fit the goals for treatment. Clients that are referred to other services sign a consent form allowing the therapist to make the referral as well as receive important feedback concerning treatment issues.
BRIEF THERAPY SERVICES
Short term or brief therapy is an appropriate way to address personal, family or work related issues that anyone can face. Most of our clients are able to resolve their issues with the sessions available to them through MUSC EAP. Following the initial assessment, clients appropriate for brief therapy services will receive additional sessions based on their need and the client Company's contract. per incident/event. Common issues for clients include:
- Substance Abuse - Individuals that present with substance abuse issues are assessed for need and level of treatment. Level of treatment is determined based on the standard of American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) guidelines with the client being referred to the least restrictive level of care. Clients needing detox service are referred to an appropriate treatment center. Clients are offered a choice of treatment centers based on recommended level of care, insurance, financial issues and confidentiality. Clients that do not need detox will be referred to outpatient services for substance abuse treatment. Most clients are able to work while receiving treatment. Follow-up by MUSC EAP staff is done on a weekly basis to assess client's progress in treatment and aftercare.
- Emotional/psychological - Individuals seeking assessment for mental health needs are evaluated and referrals are based upon the most appropriate level of care. Individuals in need of medication are referred to a psychiatrist in their insurance network or to their primary care physician. Many clients seeking services for mental health issues also benefit from the brief therapy provided by MUSC EAP.
- Marital/Couples - Certain problems are best addressed by seeing a couple together. Couples therapy is provided to any employee and their significant other regardless of marital status. Couples seeking counseling are assessed and a determination is made regarding whether a referral to an outside therapist is needed or whether the couple can benefit from brief therapy through MUSC EAP.
- Family - Family issues are addressed both individually and with family therapy. Common problems include: elder care issues, parenting problems, blended family issues and dysfunctional communication.
- Divorce - Clients experiencing issues related to divorce or separation benefit greatly from brief therapy. MUSC EAP will also make referrals to attorneys, financial advisors, domestic abuse programs and other community resources as needed.
- Financial - Clients experiencing financial difficulties are referred to Consumer Credit Counseling, the Salvation Army, the United Way and other community programs. It is not uncommon for the client to continue to be seen in the MUSC EAP office for additional sessions to deal with the stress, family, gambling or other issues that are related to financial problems.
- Job related stress and career counseling - These issues are regularly addressed with brief therapy. Topics include supervisory referrals for performance issues, improving communication with supervisors and co-workers, career direction and reducing stress in the workplace.
- Grief - The loss of a loved one can be a painful process. The therapist will assess the needs of the client for grief counseling. Most clients experiencing grief are helped with brief therapy through MUSC EAP. Referrals are based on the circumstances of the death and support systems available to the client.
- Short-term motivational counseling - Clients needing life coaching are seen routinely in the MUSC EAP office for brief therapy. Our staff is specially trained in helping clients change the direction of their lives.
