[Ashes109]

Just wondering if anyone has had experience with Employee Assistance Program/short term counselling. I saw someone through my employee assistance program today and the person I saw seemed entirely focused on giving me practical "advice". I wasn't overly impressed - it felt a bit like sitting with someone who has a 'fix' for everything.... kind of like "don't worry about that, if you just do this, everything will magically be better". I am allowed to request another provider if the first one doesn't seem like a "good fit", I'm just wondering if this is typical and what I should expect of short term therapy.

Any thoughts?

[MobiusPsyche]

I'd say that is probably typical of what you'll get in am EAP setting but you could try a different counselor if you like. EAP is like triage, their goal is to get you back to work so you can be productive. If you're productive but still depressed, that's okay as long as you're not missing work or etc..

Going through the EAP is a show of good faith so that if you decide you want to do longer term therapy with someone outside EAP, it should get approved without a problem. (Depends greatly on what type of insurance you have. )

Maybe if you tell the counselor that you're thinking about doing longer term therapy as a follow up to EAP, they might be able to help you understand what you want to get out of therapy, what type of therapist you'd like to see, goals for therapy etc..

I'm not against EAP, it has its place. But if you've been depressed for two years, 4 sessions worth EAP is unlikely to fix that. I don't know what you're problem is (probably don't need to know) but it sounds like you're looking for a more in depth exploration than you can get from EAP. Best of luck to you!

[Rive.]

I think it is typical. Sort of like a 'quick fix' as you are not allowed many sessions anyway, so the focus is more on quick, practical solutions.

You could still request another provider but due to the time limitation, I don't think they would operate differently.

[Ashes109]

Thanks for confirming what I suspected. Yes I probably am looking for more longer term therapy. I have had that in the past but stopped in Jan this year due to several stressful life circumstances (and I felt like dredging things up with the T was just increasing my stress levels at the time). I do like the idea of discussing that I may be looking for longer term counselling as a follow up to EAP and discussing goals, what type of therapist I'd like to see, etc as I do feel quite lost in that regard. Thanks!