When stress mounts today to unacceptable levels then coping mechanisms break down and employees and / or their family members will need the right kind of counselling help by skilled EA professionals.
The research shows 35% – 55% of EA professionals delivering the individual EAP / EFAP client services are affiliates i.e. contract counsellors. These contract counsellors are often in private practice. To these counsellors, EAP referrals are another revenue stream – one that feeds their private practice either a little or a lot.
Yes, it is unacceptable that many EA affiliates are paid sub-standard hourly fees even by some of the more successful and global EAP provider companies. However, I believe change is in the air and the requirements will come to the surface in the next few years as EAP provider companies will be contracting with the EAP skilled counsellors and will be paying them fairly whether sessions are delivered face-to-face or by telephone. It is good to see that many EAP provider companies have already started to.
I hope to see many of you in San Diego at the end of this month for the World EAPA conference. It is a venue to network, to market yourself, gain EAP global insight and acquire the training to increase your skill set.