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Employee Assistance Program

Portland State University Human Resources is happy to announce our new Employee Assistance provider, Walker Group, which begins servicing PSU benefit eligible employee and their dependants as of January 1, 2005.

Easy Access to Services

Getting help is easy, convenient, and confidential. Just call 503-288-5882 or 1-800-927-9432 . The trained intake specialists and professional counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via a toll-free number to confidentially discuss your concerns. Crisis counseling is always available to assure you get the assistance you need when you need it.

Face-to-face evaluations at an office convenient to your home or where you work

So you can easily get the help you need, we have developed a comprehensive, nationwide network of licensed and experienced counselors, including psychologists, clinical social workers, cerified alcohol and drug counselors, and marriage, family, and child counselors.

Personalized care

The EAP counselor you speak with will help you:

Clarify The Problem. The EAP counselor will help you clarify the reason you are seeking assistance through the EAP. This ensures that the total concern is being addressed.

Identify Options. Together, you and the counselor will explore alternatives for addressing the problem. EAP counselors provide an objective point of view and can offer suggestions that you may not have considered.

Develop A Plan. An individualized plan is then developed. The plan may involve short-term counseling through the EAP or a referral to an appropriate resource in the community. Family members may also be included in counseling as part of the action plan for problem resolution. In all cases, the decision of how to handle your concern and manage your life is up to you.

Confidentiality

All calls and counseling sessions are confidential, except as required by law (e.g., when a person's emotional condition is a threat to him or herself or others, or there is suspected abuse of a minor child, and in some states, spousal or elder abuse).

The EAP can help you resolve your personal concerns, so you can be your best at work and at home. Among other things, the EAP can help you with:

• Work stress
• Family/parenting issues
• Marital or relationship problems
• Anxiety or depression
• Anger management
• Alcohol or drug dependencies
• Coping with change
• Grief or bereavement
• Elder care referrals
• Child care referrals
• Legal assistance and referrals
• Financial counseling

The EAP is a prepaid benefit offered to you, your household members, and dependents by your employer. If you are referred to additional resources for help and you elect to use those resources, the resulting copayments and fees, if any, would be your responsibility. You will want to check your benefits plan for coverage of those services.

Access to Walker Group Northwest is also available online at www.walkergroupeap.com/psu Some areas of the website will ask for a username and password. For those areas, you can log in with the username "psu" and the password "welcome". For a list of their current and past newsletters, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who can use the EAP?

A. The services are available not only to you, but to your spouse, your household members, and dependents as well.

Q. When can I call the EAP?

A. You can call the toll-free number anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week--from wherever you are.

Q. Will I be charged for using the EAP?

A. No. The EAP is a prepaid benefit offered by your employer. If you need help beyond the scope of the EAP, your counselor may refer you to another resource. You would be responsible for any fees associated with your use of additional resources outside the EAP. We understand that every problem and every budget is different, and will help you find an affordable solution.

Q. Is the EAP just for workplace problems?

A. No. You can use the EAP to help you deal with any number of concerns, big or small, whether or not they have a direct impact on your work environment.

Q. Can I call the EAP even if my concern is not a crisis?

A. Yes. The EAP is a life management tool, designed to help you sort through whatever is happening in your life. Call your EAP when you need a new perspective on things. Call when you need help identifying your options and making informed choices. EAP services have been provided to help you live healthy and work well