(EAP)

An employee benefit involving mental health counseling offered by some employers, typically in conjunction with a health insurance plan. EAPs are intended to help employees deal with personal problems that might adversely affect their work performance, health, and well-being. EAPs generally provide short-term counselling and referral services for employees and their household members. As a general matter, communications are confidential as between the employee and EAP, with two exceptions: mental health providers have a “duty to warn” if the employee poses a credible risk of violence; or the employee authorizes the release of clinical information.