UTHealth Houston Employee Assistance Programs for Retirees

EAP is available to retirees and their family members eligible under BCBS. Please feel free to give us a call if you have questions about who can use EAP services.

There is no charge to you or your family members to use the EAP confidential counseling services. If a referral is made to a resource outside the EAP for specialized or extended services, there may be a charge.

Yes, all EAP services are private, and completely confidential for you and eligible family members. EAP will not release any information regarding your contact with us without your written consent or as required by law.

EAP provides counseling and consultative sessions for all types of life concerns. Some of the most common reasons that employees and their family members contact the EAP are: 

Depression or Anxiety
Alcohol/Drug Problems
Parenting & Family Concerns
Couples & Relationship Issues
Grief or Bereavement
Anger Management
Change & Life Transitions
Workplace Stress/Conflicts
Communication Skills
Legal and Financial Concerns
Childcare or Eldercare Issues

In addition to calling to set an appointment for face-to-face services, many employees call to simply gather information about EAP or to have a specific question answered such as the following:  “My mother is in need of in-home meal services. She refuses to allow me to set up the delivery, what can I say to her to encourage her to take advantage of the services?” “I have been feeling really depressed lately. I really don’t want an appointment; can I just talk with someone?”   Some other examples include “Can you help me with a family member who has an alcohol problem?” “Can I call and talk with a counselor about this?”  In case of an emergency calls are triaged and clinical services are provided.

Family members are welcome to use our web site to access a wide range of services. Web based services are not meant to take the place of face-to-face assessment. They are particularly important as a way to reach members that may want to try solutions on their own, or for those who like to communicate via the web. Also, family members with physical or emotional handicap conditions or those lacking adequate transportation.

There are 5 EAP sessions available per problem. Please note that sessions are on a per issue basis. If you or a family member have a separate problem during the same year, you can contact the EAP again to receive new sessions for this separate issue.

Making an appointment is easy and confidential. Whether you need an appointment with a counselor, a legal referral, or want to take advantage of our Life-Balance services, simply call our office at 1-800-346-3549 or 713-500-3327. One of our customer service representatives will contact you shortly.

You can also browse our online resources by going to our life-balance web page. Click here to access the EAP Life-Balance website (USER: uth | PASS: uth)

Through the EAP, you have access to a free 30-minute face to face or telephonic consultation per issue with a network attorney. If you wish to retain the attorney after the initial consultation, you will receive a 25% discount on the attorney's normal hourly rates. Many online resources are also available, including an interactive Online Will Program that provides you with a resource to create your own state-specific Simple Will privately in an online, secure environment.

All family members are also entitled to a no-cost telephone consultation with one of our financial counselors. Typical matters include credit counseling, debt and budgeting assistance, tax planning, retirement, and college planning questions.

Click here to access the EAP life-balance website and to visit our online legal and financial resources (USER: uth | PASS: uth).

Consultation and referrals for a wide range of life-balance referrals are available through the EAP. We can help you find real solutions for care-giver services, and other convenience and wellness issues. You can speak directly with one of our experienced counselors who will take the time to fully understand your concerns and explore care options with you.

After you hang up, the life-balance Counselor will begin researching your specific care needs, freeing you to focus on your family, work or other issues in your life. Within a few days, you'll receive a return call, email and/or a packet of information containing provider profiles of regulated care providers who have openings, when, where, and within the price range you specified, along with educational materials to help you and your family make informed decisions.