An Employee Assistance Program abbreviated EAP is considered as a voluntary, work-based pattern. It provides free and private grading, counseling for a short term, appointments to other healthcare professionals. EAP networking copes with a broad and complicated problems that affect mental and emotional health. The following problems include:
- alcohol and other substance abuse;
- stress;
- grief;
- family problems;
- psychological disorders.
Counselors of an Employee Assistance Program also operate as a consultative center with managers and counselers to solve employee and organizational needs.
How to become an EAP provider?
#1. Recieve bachelor’s degree
Recieving a bachelor’s degree is characterized as a primary educational requirement. A 4-year degree course can assist you with starting your career. There is no specific profession to be complited as an undergraduate, a good idea is to opt a field of study relevant to EAP national provider networks. Mastering in psychology, social work, sociology or a similar field may better make you ready for future educational opportunities.
#2. Fill in a relevant master’s or doctoral degree program
Many counselors from EAP should fill out master’s or doctoral degrees in counseling, psychology or social work. Rather, you may decide to get a master’s in social work (MSW), a master’s in counseling or a doctorate in clinical psychology (PsyD), depending on your interests.
#3. Obtain pertinent clinical experience
While recieiving an advanced degree to become an EAP counselor, you will likely have the capability to reach clinical experience within a set of varieties.
#4. Become licensed in the USA
Depending on the state you have a resinde in, you should become licensed or certified to get a practice as an EAP counselor. To become a councelling therapist, you may need to become:
- a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC);
- a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT);
- a licensed master of social work (LMSW);
- a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
#5. Find work with an employee assistance program
Once you’ve recieved the educational and licensure requirements significant to serve as an EAP counselor in your state or county, you’ll want to secure a position within an employee assistance program. To do this, you should get acquainted with the market for EAP professionals in your area.