Work and Wellbeing
EAP Counselling

Supporting your wellbeing at work.

EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) provides a professional and confidential counselling service paid for by your employer.

Many companies offer it as part of their staff wellbeing package to assist you if you are experiencing personal or work-related difficulties.

I am an approved EAP counsellor on the Telus Health and Clearhead platforms.

The issues you might address can be diverse, encompassing significant life events, relationship troubles, work-related stress, burnout, and interpersonal conflict.

Whatever the catalyst, know that I will meet you with compassion and respect. It is my pleasure to be your ally in exploring work and personal wellbeing.

We have only have one beautiful brain and nervous system. I can help you to befriend yours.

Raewyn Higgins
In play or creativity the brain can rest.

Ruth McConnell

How can EAP sessions support your work wellbeing?

EAP typically funds three to six counselling sessions, focused on problem-solving current challenges and supporting your wellbeing. Together, we will explore the presenting issues. Our aim is to bring relief and facilitate positive change - at home and at work.

Identifing the Issues

A diverse range of situations might bring you to counselling. A work conflict might trigger your need for support, or difficulties at home. Sometimes distress is cumulative, the result of multiple factors compounding over time. I can help you to identify the impacts of distress, such as grief, anxiety, and depression.

Many people find it a relief to be in a safe, non-judgmental space where you can share your thoughts openly with someone outside your workplace.

Your Well-Being Plan

I love to support you to identify the activities and relationships in your life that bring you pleasure, and to connect with them regularly. Rather than being a luxury, prioritising the things that bring you joy brings renewed appreciation for life and builds your resilience for tackling the challenges you are facing.

It is also helpful to understand the effects of stress on various aspects of our lives. We have only have one beautiful brain and nervous system. I can help you to befriend yours.

Growing Your skills

Counselling can be an opportunity for learning new skills i.e. emotional processing tools, understanding anxiety, communication etc. I’ll support you to become more aware of how your experiences affect your brain and body, and how to relate to yourself, and others, in a compassionate way that alleviates distress.

I can also provide guidance on how to approach difficult dynamics and conversations with workmates and family members.

How does EAP counselling work?

People can make contact with their work-place EAP provider and be assigned a counsellor.
Some work-places allow employees to view counsellor profiles on their EAP provider’s website and to make contact directly with the counsellor they wish to see.
The counselling sessions may be in person, or offered by telephone, Zoom etc. depending on your preference. This allows access to support outside of your region.
Subsequent appointments and invoicing is managed by the counsellor through the provider and their systems – making the service free and uncomplicated for clients.
Under most circumstances nothing of what an employee shares will be shared with their organisation (the standard exceptions apply if someone is a risk to themselves, or others).

Practical Questions & Answers

I graduated with a Bachelor of Counselling from Bethlehem Tertiary Institute in 2010. I’m a Professional Member of NZCCA.

I have 14 years experience as a qualified counsellor in a range of contexts including:
- Private Counselling Practice
- Secondary School Counselling
- Loss and Bereavement Counselling
- Grief and Loss groupwork with children and adolescents
- As a Focusing practitioner.
I offer in-person counselling sessions in two places:

1. At Bethlehem Psychological Services – 36 Sutherland Road, Brookfield, Tauranga
2. At my home-based counselling space in Bethlehem, Tauranga.
I also offer sessions via Zoom.
A counselling session is one hour. I typically meet with couples weekly or fortnightly for three to six sessions. However, this can be extended to meet your needs and we can discuss this together.
 $135 – Individual Counselling Session
 $150 – Couples Counselling Session
EAP Counselling Sessions are paid for by your workplace provider.