Direct links
 
Home → University Services → Occupational Health and Safety → Employee Assistance Program

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Introducing the University of Newcastle Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Professional and Confidential Counselling

The University of Newcastle makes available professional and confidential counselling for our most important asset - you! 
Click here to download a copy of the EAP Brochure.

INDEX

  1. What is the EAP?
  2. Who Provides the Service?
  3. How Much Will it Cost Me?
  4. Will Anyone Know I've Gone to the EAP?
  5. Do I Get Time Off to Go To The EAP?
  6. Who Refers Me to the EAP?
  7. When Might I Need The EAP?
  8. What Can I Expect?
  9. Manager Help Line
  10. Quality of Service

1.  What is the EAP?
The EAP provides:

The EAP is there to help you attain your potential in life and work - Don't let issues hold you back - deal with them quickly and effectively through the EAP.

2.  Who provides the service?
From 1st January 2006 the university's EAP offers a choice of two providers:

  1. NewPsych Psychologists is a Newcastle-based company with a number of affiliated organisations servicing the Newcastle, Central Coast, Orange, Port Macquarie and Tamworth areas. NewPsych Psychologists employs over 20 psychologists with its head office located in Darby Street, Newcastle. Staff members and their families can make an appointment by phoning 4926 5005 or emailing reception@newpsych.com.au.

    To determine which psychologist may best suit your needs please go to the NewPsych's website at  http://www.newpsych.com.au

  2. Life Matters Psychology Services offers services throughout Newcastle and provides Employee Assistance Programs to a number of Newcastle-based businesses. Staff members and their families can make an appointment by phoning 4965 3530.

    To determine which psychologist may best suit your needs please go to the Life Matters Psychology Services website at www.lifematters.com.au

    Life Matters offer appointments Monday to Friday 9am - 7:30pm and Saturday 9am - 4pm.  After hours appointments are available with Bronwyn Shields.

If you are unable to get an appointment at a suitable time with the first provider you call, try the other provider.

IMPORTANT
If you require urgent counselling, please make the receptionist aware of this when you call to make an appointment.

3.  How Much Will It Cost Me?
The EAP counselling is free of charge to all employees and their immediate families. Occasionally, referral to other specialists or services within the community may be necessary. In this instance, any costs involved are your responsibility. There is no limit to the number of sessions employees can have.

4.  Will Anyone Know I've Gone to the EAP?
No one needs to know that you attend counselling. If you go during work time you may need to tell your supervisor that you will be absent from work. If you choose to attend in your own time then no one will ever know you have used the service.

No information about you will be revealed to your manager or anyone else. If your counsellor believes it would be beneficial to speak to someone about your situation, they will ask for your written permission before they do so.

Job security and promotional opportunities will not be jeopardised by seeking help through the EAP.

5.  Do I Get Time Off to Go to the EAP?
Time off can be given for the first appointment during work time by prior arrangement with your supervisor or manager.

Further appointments will generally be in your own time or by use of normal leave entitlements. If you don't want your manager to know you've used the EAP, then simply make an appointment in your own time. It's completely confidential.

6.  Who Refers Me to the EAP?
The EAP is designed to encourage self referral. Occasionally managers may offer the option of counselling to employees. The choice of using the EAP is always yours. No one can force you to use the EAP.

7.  When Might I Need the EAP?
The EAP is available to give assistance for personal or work related problems such as, but not limited to:

  • Relationship problems
  • Grief and bereavement
  • Alcohol/other drugs
  • Career concerns
  • Work related difficulties
  • Emotional stress
  • Marriage & family problems
  • Legal concerns
  • Financial problems
  • Work/life balance
  • Anxiety
  • Conflict
  • Depression
  • Gambling
  • Quit smoking

You can consult your EAP about any problem - no problem is too small!! We encourage staff to use the service as soon as the issue starts to concern you. Don't wait too long - the issue will only get more complex. Early intervention is the key to a successful outcome.

8.  What Can I Expect?
The EAP offers short term professional counselling with an experienced registered psychologist. Appointments need to be made in advance by calling:

Life Matters Psychology Services on 4965 3530 (Available in Newcastle) or
NewPsych Psychologists  on 4926 5005 (Available in Newcastle, Central Coast, Orange, Port Macquarie & Tamworth areas. They can also be contacted on reception@newpsych.com.au.

The counselling is short term, solution focused and looks at practical strategies for dealing with your issues in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.

9.  Manager Help Line
Managers and supervisors can call an EAP program manager or senior psychologist to discuss, or get assistance on, work related issues affecting occupational health and safety or people management issues. This service is accessed by calling:

NewPsych Psychologists on 4926 5005 
Life Matters Psychology Services  on 4965 3530 (Available in Newcastle)

10.  Quality of Service
To ensure we maintain the highest level of service to our clients you are asked to complete the EAP survey form after any contact with the EAP, and forward it as outlined on the first page. The survey is completely anonymous and the responses on the questionnaire remain strictly confidential.

The questionnaire can be accessed from the following links:

Print and complete by hand
Complete online then print