What is an Employee Assistance Program or Employee Assistance Service?

"An EAP is a work-based early intervention aimed at the early identification and/or resolution of both work and personal problems that may adversely effect performance.  These problems may include, but are not limited to health, marital/relationships, family, financial, substance abuse or emotional concerns."

Counselling Gold Coast provides tailor made Employee Assistance Programs and Services designed to benefit employers by improving and maintaining employees ability to manage work and life stresses.  The provision of an effective EAP has been shown to reduce absenteeism and staff turnover and to increase productivity.

We will design an EAP that will not only complement your organisation's future plans and objectives but will assist in achieving those goals by focusing on the wellbeing of the most important asset to your business or organisation - your employees.  We do this by providing solution focused counselling, manager/supervisor support and training at all levels in the organisation.

To maximise the effectiveness of an EAP it is vital that supervisors and managers understand the objectives of the EAP, ensure employees are aware of the assistance program, its services and the means of accessing the services.  Counselling Gold Coast provides follow-up with key personnel within our client organisations to assist in the process of developing employee confidence in the provision of our services, in developing trust that confidentiality will be maintained and confidence that their specific needs will be met.  Through this process the full potential and benefits of an EAP can be realised.

Counselling Gold Coast has developed a Secure Online Counselling Service to more completely meet the counselling needs of individual clients.

Online access is particularly useful for individuals:

• If you are in a remote location
• If you have specific cultural or language needs
• If you are housebound
• If you prefer the convenience
• If your need for confidentiality is extremely high.

Please note that for couples or family counselling you should call 1300 667 791 to arrange a face to face appointment.

Clients of the online counselling service are assured that they will be provided with relevant, high quality, accessible service that responds to their specific needs. Clients will be treated with respect and dignity. Clients will be the recipients of proven evidenced based methods in the counselling.

How does this process work?

• First you must read our informed consent page.
• If you choose to agree to all the terms and conditions of online counselling then you will be asked to complete the standard client intake form.
• On sending this form back to us our staff will contact you within 2 hours with a range of dates and appointment times. You will also be told who the Langmont Counsellor will be. 
• Choose one date and time that suits. Then register with our secure online counselling room.
• Meet your Counsellor online and commence your secure online counselling session.

What is CISM or Trauma management?

A CISM program provides 'acute' counselling and support to employees who have experienced a significant traumatic event.  This may include (but is not limited to) staff within the banking, retail, transport, mining, construction and emergency services industries where there is the risk of experiencing assaults, hold-ups or accidents.  It also includes providing acute counselling for individuals and employees who may have experienced a traumatic event in their personal lives such as a relationship breakdown or death of a close family member.

Counselling Gold Coast provides CISM services to organisations and their employees through our state wide network of psychologists and social workers who are experienced in delivering this valuable form of acute 'debriefing' intervention and the follow-up necessary after distressing events.  We take a risk assessment approach and focus on individuals most at need of assistance. We also provide advice and training to managers and supervisors on how to recognise employees who have been seriously affected and may need more assistance.

Potential benefits of providing a CISM program for your business or organisation include:

• Improved staff morale through a sense of feeling supported
• Decreased risk of long term problems/emotional distress following a traumatic event
• Reduced cost of sick leave and poor performance because of ongoing distress
• Fulfilment of occupational health and safety and industrial relations responsibilities