The Hurst Place

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Employee Assistance Program?

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides professional, confidential counselling sessions to employees, their spouse/partner and their dependent family members living in their home under the age of 21 years. Our Employee Assistance Program can assist you in setting goals to help you reach your full potential. We offer a complete spectrum of employee counselling services, and a total range of programs that directly target organizational effectiveness, productivity and quality of both home and work life.

Who is eligible for services at Hurst Place?

You, your spouse/partner and the dependents living in your home under the age of 21 years, or dependants 21- 25 years of age in full time attendance at a post secondary institution. We offer an understanding, confidential, supportive environment where, together, we can help solve life issues and grow the hope of a better future! We help people get the help they need to reach their full potential and function better in everyday life. We want you to get the most out of life!

Why does my employer want to offer an EAP to its employees?

There are two reasons why organizations offer EAP’s to their employees and their families.

To show that they genuinely care about the health and well being of their employees and their families and,
To recover the cost of lost productivity, lost creativity and disability claims associated with employees in today’s workforce

What kinds of issues can employees bring to Hurst Place?

Employees can bring any issue or concern to Hurst Place that they feel is interfering with their physical health, mental health or overall quality of life and/or preventing them from functioning to their full potential at work and in their personal life.

What happens during a counselling session?

The counsellor will listen to what the employee’s concerns are. The counsellor will ask questions to determine not only the nature of the problem but also the scope and the employee’s perception of the problem. The counsellor will also explore what expectations the employee has about resolving the issue(s). The counsellor and the employee will focus on the options and choices and form a plan to resolve the issue(s). The employee leaves their first appointment knowing approximately how many sessions they will need to attend and how regularly they will need to meet. There are times when a counsellor will recommend the employee seek medical or other specialized services and they will assist the employee with these referrals.

Can my employer, my spouse or family members ever find out what has been said in an employees’ counselling session?

Confidentiality means that Hurst Place staff release no information without a signed informed consent form. Your employer receives no information about your contact with Hurst Place unless you request it in writing. As with all behavioural healthcare service providers, the rule of confidentiality is temporarily suspended (in the interest of public safety) if it is determined that a client presents a realistic and imminent threat of harm to self or others – including the abuse of a child.

How is Hurst Place accountable to my employer?

Many types of reports are possible without sharing identities or the issues of employees who receive services at Hurst Place. We provide various summaries of statistical data to the organizations that we service. Our Account Managers work closely with each organization to ensure that the EAP services meet their needs and all employees have an understanding of the services available to them.

What are the qualifications of the counsellors who provide the EAP services?

All Hurst Place Counsellors have a Master’s level degree and/or a post secondary baccalaureate degree with an average of twenty five years of clinical expertise and experience. Hurst Place provides direct counselling and support for a wide range of specialized situations with all counsellors having the required educational background and/or specific training/certification.

How quickly can I get an appointment?

Appointments can be arranged within a few days from the initial call to the time of the first appointment.

How long are the counselling sessions?

Each counselling session lasts between 50 – 60 minutes. We offer services in Hamilton through our central office as well as other conveniently located offices outside of the Hamilton area.

How do I make an appointment?

Is there a cost for EAP counselling?

No, the costs for the counselling sessions are covered by your employer and no money exchanges hands between employees, their family members and Hurst Place.

I do not know if my employer has an EAP?

If your employer does not have an EAP or your EAP provider is not Hurst Place, none of the specific information provided here will apply to you. If you do not know, contact your human resource or benefits department to ask who your EAP provider is? Alternatively look in your employee manual for a section describing the benefits that you are entitled to. If you have an EAP there should be a description of the service available to you and your family members.