This interview is part of DrexelNEWS’ recurring feature — “How Does it Work?” — spotlighting operational or administrative departments, teams or processes you might not know about, but who keep the Drexel cogs moving each and every day!
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) have a long history in the American workforce. With the first EAPs originating in the 1940s, these programs gained popularity in the 1970s and are now a cornerstone benefit offered by most employers. But how much do you know about EAPs in general, or about the brand-new EAP offered to Drexel benefits-eligible employees in 2026?
Below, Drexel Wellness Consultant Monica Fauble explains the key features and benefits of Drexel’s EAP, now administered by Health Advocate.
Q: What is an Employee Assistance Program, and what are the key features of Drexel’s EAP?
A: Broadly, an EAP provides professional guidance to help address emotional health and work-life balance concerns for employees and their immediate family members.
Drexel has long offered an EAP to benefit-eligible faculty and professional staff. Effective Jan. 1, Health Advocate is the new administrator of Drexel’s EAP. Drexel selected Health Advocate to provide better integration with existing benefits administered by Health Advocate: health advocacy services and the Wellness Incentive Program.
Health Advocate’s EAP is available to benefit-eligible employees as well as their dependents, partners/spouses, parents, and parents-in-law at no cost to the employee or their family members. The most popular and well-known feature of the EAP is six free confidential counseling sessions offered per person, per issue, during each calendar year.
Not only does the Health Advocate EAP provide best-in-class mental health resources, it also includes a host of free services to help eligible Drexel faculty and professional staff members and their families address the many challenges that work, life and relationships can bring.
You can find a more comprehensive rundown of the services available through the EAP on the HR website.
Q: What are some reasons an employee or their family member might contact Health Advocate’s EAP?
A: Health Advocate can assist with a variety of common concerns including depression, anxiety, stress, relationship problems, grief and loss, alcohol or substance abuse, anger management, work-related pressures and more. Besides offering counseling services, Health Advocate has other great resources, such as referrals for home improvements, travel and adult day care, tip sheets on various topics and even informational videos on topics like meditation and time management.
Q: How does the program work?
A: When you contact Health Advocate via phone at any time of day, any day of the week and request the Employee Assistance Program, you’ll speak directly to a master’s level clinician.
The intake process will include an experienced clinician gathering information about you and the nature of your concern. The EAP Care Manager will then coordinate the most appropriate resources that best meet your needs. These resources can include scheduling short-term counseling with a local provider, providing work-life balance resources and/or referrals, or help with finding providers available through your health insurance plan.
Q: What if I don’t want counseling services, is there anything else the EAP can offer me?
A: The EAP also offers free legal consultations, financial consultations and referrals for childcare, eldercare and more. Please note that if you request additional services outside of the available free consultations, fees may apply.
Q: Will Drexel know if I use the program?
A: Your consultations with Health Advocate are completely confidential and protected by HIPAA unless you are in a life-threatening situation and action is needed to protect your safety. Drexel does receive utilization reports to gauge how many people are benefiting from the service, but it does not receive the names of the employees or family members who are accessing this benefit.
If you’ve had a great experience with Health Advocate and would be interested in sharing, they invite you to send feedback by emailing compliments@healthadvocate.com. Also, once you engage with Health Advocate, please know that you might receive a survey to share your feedback.
Q: How do I get started?
A: Benefits-eligible employees who have not previously created an account or logged in can do so at healthadvocate.com/drexel or can download the convenient mobile app and enter the code DREXELU to create a new account.
Family members eligible for this service can call 1.866.799.2728 to access these services.
Q: Where can I go or whom can I contact to learn more?
A: You can visit the HR website for more information, or contact the HR Service Center by emailing hr@drexel.edu or calling 215.895.2850. To use Health Advocate’s EAP, please call 1.866.799.2728.
If you are currently in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 800.272.TALK (800.273.8255), or the Philadelphia Suicide and Crisis Intervention Line at 215.686.4420. If this is a psychological emergency and you need immediate attention, please dial 911, call Drexel Public Safety at 215.895.2222, or visit your nearest emergency room.