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Employee Assistance Program

The University of Northern Colorado recognizes that its employees are its most important resource.  Research has shown that when people are happier, they are more creative and more productive in their personal and work lives.  We know that when employees thrive, the entire UNC community benefits.  We are here to support you with both professional and personal concerns that may impacting your overall well-being.

Reasons People Use the EAP

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Grief and loss
  • Sleep Disturbance
  • Anger control issues
  • "New faculty blues"
  • Impostor Syndrome
  • Conflict within yourself
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Difficulties Managing Stress
  • Feeling overwhelmed by change
  • Conflict with supervisor or coworker
  • Lack of support from family, friends or coworkers
  • An alcohol or drug problem within yourself, a significant other, or a coworker
  • Anything affecting your work performance or reducing your motivation to go to work

EAP Benefits

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services are funded by the department of Human Resources and are available to UNC faculty, staff, and their household family members age 15 and older, provided that the employee is receiving benefits.  EAP services are provided by the staff of the UNC Counseling Center.  Employees are eligible to receive 10 free sessions each fiscal year (July 1st through June 30th).  Learn more about the services available to employees below:

  • Individual Therapy

    Individual counseling sessions assist employees in addressing a wide variety of issues related to mental health and wellness concerns.  Your first visit (initial consultation) will give you an opportunity to meet with one of our staff members to discuss your concerns. This will allow us to best match you with one of our counselors or to provide referrals in the community if we are unable to meet your needs.  If we are not able to offer the appropriate services within our center, or if it is determined that you require more than 10 sessions, we can help connect you with a provider in the community who accepts your insurance and/or provides services at a low cost.  Initial consultations require an appointment and are offered Monday through Friday between 1:00-4:00pm.

  • Couples Therapy

    We are able to provide couples therapy to employees and their spouses as part of the EAP program.  The couple must first complete an initial consultation with one of our counselors.  If couples therapy is the appropriate service, you will be referred to one of our staff members to begin couples therapy.  Other services may be recommended instead of or concurrently with couples therapy.  A therapist will discuss the recommended course of treatment at your initial consultation.

  • Psychiatry Services

    The Counseling Center is unable to provide psychiatric services at this time.  For those who may benefit from medication evaluation and ongoing care we recommend that you reach out to your insurance for this benefit. 

Voluntary Attendance

Voluntary attendance for counseling at the EAP is confidential and can only be divulged with your written permission, although there are some legally mandated exceptions which will be explained at your initial consultation.  All of your information is protected, and nothing will appear in your personnel file.  Feel free to discuss these issues with your EAP counselor if you have any questions.

Supervisor Referral

We appreciate your help in referring and bringing employees to our center.  Prior to connecting an employee with us, please make sure that the employee is willing to seek services, as services are voluntary in nature and the employee must give their consent to initiate treatment.  Therapy is also most effective when the employee is willing and ready to engage in the process of therapy.

If you would like to refer an employee for services out of concern or as part of a corrective action plan, please note that we are not able to release any information regarding treatment, including attendance information.  An employee must be willing to sign a Release of Information if they would like any of their information disclosed to a third party.