Sept. 8, 2004
Accessing the Faculty/Employee Assistance Program
Optimism and excitement usually fill the air when starting a new job.
Topics such as family and personal problems, drug and alcohol abuse, or
work place stress are the furthest thing from a new employees mind.
But among the benefits highlighted during GWs new employee orientation
is a service that could change an employees life when it counts
the most the Faculty / Employee Assistance Program (FEAP).
People should be reminded that were here and it works,
said Dr. Lee Smith, FEAP director, about the free confidential counseling
and referral service offering support to the University community for
a variety of problems and challenges.
Since Smith launched GWs program in 1987, the range of concerns
she has helped University members overcome includes family dilemmas such
as troubled marriages, divorce, death, illness and problems with children
or parents; financial troubles; behavioral problems like substance abuse,
compulsive gambling and eating disorders; workplace issues such as on-the-job
stress and problems with co-workers; as well as emotional distress.
Ive helped people through anything that a person could possibly
be concerned about, Smith said. Its good that people
feel they can come and this is a safe place where they can talk about
whatever theyre concerned about. They can talk honestly and frankly
and not be concerned about confidentiality.
Smith provides short-term counseling, and added that often merely identifying
a problem or airing concerns is all thats needed. If short-term
counseling isnt the appropriate remedy, she will refer faculty or
staff to whatever specialized services, centers or agencies are most suitable.
With more than 20 years of clinical, research and teaching experience,
Smith is acquainted with a host of resources in the metropolitan area
including psychiatrists and psychologists, rehabilitation centers and
in- and out-patient services, and she is adept at matching the best resource
to her clients needs.
The first step is picking up the phone and making an appointment, Smith
said, after that she helps identify problems and determines a course of
action to deal with them.
Word of mouth will always be the best way to learn about a program,
Smith said. While people want total confidentiality from their therapist,
oftentimes they are willing to talk about their problems to friends and
co-workers and out of those instances come valuable referrals.
Usually its as simple as someone saying, Well, I went
to see Dr. Smith and she was very helpful, why dont you call her.
For more information about FEAP, or to make an appointment, employees
may call 676-2002.
Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu
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