Employee and Family Assistance Program

Frequently Asked Questions for Employees

How does an EFAP work?

Your employer contracts with a service provider, like Walmsley & Associates, to provide counselling service to their employees. There are many different EFAP programs:

Some programs limit the number of sessions they will pay for per calendar year. In some situations this can be exceeded.

Some EFAP programs are set up so that the employee pays a minimal user fee, say 20%. The employee pays the provider at each session, and the provider then bills the company for the remaining portion.

Other employers ask you to pay the fee in total and then reimburse you.

Will my employer know why I am going to counselling?

No.  No identifying information is provided to the employer.

On a yearly basis, the employer may ask for information on all of their employees as a group.  For example,

Of the 208 employees who used the service in the last year, 112 of these were members of the ABC Union and the remainder were identified as management or non-union.  93 employees came for couple concerns, 55 for parent / adolescent conflict, 13 for child / parent conflict,  and 47 for individual problems (work related stress, substance abuse, anger management, etc). 

Most employers encourage their employees to use the EFAP service, and see it as a benefit to both the business and their staff. 

Will others find out that I am in counselling?

Walmsley & Associates make every effort to ensure that no one is aware of your involvement in counselling. In certain situations, such as abuse of a child, a criminal offence, or when there is a requirement by law, a counsellor must report to the appropriate authorities.

In situations when a counsellor receives a legal subpoena, there is a requirement by law that information is provided to the court. No other information can be released unless you have signed a written consent giving your permission.

Your situation may be discussed with another counsellor during consultation, however, no identifying information will be revealed.

Please review our  Client Confidentiality  page for more specific information. 

How do I find out if my employer has an EFAP program?

The best thing to do is call someone at your place of work who usually looks after personnel questions. They will be able to tell you how to access your EFAP if you have one.   Usually employers have a handout from the contracted provider and a phone number for you to call for information. 

Can I still use the EFAP if I'm away from work due to shutdowns, vacation, or sick leave?

Yes. Just like your health and welfare benefits, the EFAP does not stop when you are away from the worksite. 

Can I pay for my own counselling after my EFAP sessions are use up?

Sometimes Yes, sometimes No.  It depends on the EFAP contract.  In addition you need to review with your counsellor: