7 Best Employee Assistance Programs in 2025
Are you looking for the best employee assistance programs? Here’s a detailed review of them.
Even with the best employee incentive programs, employee performance can never remain constant. There comes a time when even the brightest performer takes a dip – regardless of what the culture and employee engagement-related metrics show – indicating problems in their personal lives. Many companies invest in employee assistance programs (EAPs) to avoid such scenarios.
It’s unfair for employers to always expect their employees not to be affected by personal problems that might even require bereavement leave. After all, human-centered leadership is the new cool (the theme of this year’s Culture Summit).
EAPs, as a result, evolved out of necessity.
You need physically and mentally fit team members to operate at maximum efficiency. This might affect the general perception of a positive employee experience in your organization.
While you can’t fix whatever is happening in their personal lives, you can arrange counseling and support sessions to help them cope.
That’s the sole purpose of an EAP – to provide your employees with the emotional support they need during difficult times.
If you’re an employer with no experience with employee assistance programs, keep reading. In this article, we’ll discuss the 7 reputable providers of EAP services (as well as how to create an EAP program).
Let’s dive in.
What is an Employee Assistance Program?
At the most basic level, an employee assistance program (EAP) is an employee benefit.
These programs aim to improve employees’ declining performance levels, which result from personal problems, through professional counseling, stress management, and/or support services.
Here’s a brief history of how EAPs have evolved over the years:
While there are no universal prerequisites, the common reasons for offering an EAP include:
- Relationship issues / other family problems
- Substance abuse
- Mental health issues
- Other health issues
- Mental wellness
- Bereavement
- Financial difficulties
- Disturbed work-life balance
- Other work-related issues
It’s important to note that employee assistance programs differ from the small, undocumented pep talks you give your team members.
In the US (and almost everywhere else), the programs are executed by licensed EAP counselors.
Furthermore, a participating employee’s spouse and dependents can also qualify for the services in many programs.
You can hire professional counselors or outsource to an EAP provider as an employer.
Employee Assistance Programs Work – Here’s Why
Offering an EAP is becoming a necessity in specific high-stress industries. Today, candidates are cautious of the companies they select.
However, it’s more than just about creating a positive image.
The positive impact that these programs can have on companies is phenomenal. Here are a few EAP benefits:
- They Result in Healthier Employees—According to one source, by offering EAPs in prevention and health services, companies experienced a 33% decline in the usage of sick leaves.
- They Can Save Billions of Dollars—On a collective scale, US businesses lose up to $300 billion dollars due to work-related stress. While the root cause is a grueling work culture that has gone unchecked for decades, an EAP can help greatly.
- They Can Help Retain Top Talent—An employee assistance program can have a major impact on how your employees behave towards one another. In a survey conducted by Harris Interactive, 51% of respondents cited their co-workers as the reason for remaining with their existing employers.
Besides the EAP benefits listed above, with an EAP in place, you can also reduce the risk of workplace violence, attract competent profiles, and then experience a rise in performance.
7 Best Providers of Employee Assistance Programs 2025
While you can create an in-house program, opting for a third-party service provider is better. Employers can select from a wide list of EAP providers. There are many promising options – it all depends on what you hope to achieve with your EAP.
Here’s the top 7 list of programs that will reign supreme in 2025:
1. Lyra Health
With the likes of eBay and Uber in its clientele, Lyra Health tops the list.
The leader in mental healthcare services for businesses claims that 83% of its members recover.
Here’s the complete list of services that the company offers:
- Mental health services and coaching for mental illness
- Medication management
- Work-life services
- Manager training
- Evidence-based therapy
- Critical incident support
In addition to the above, the company also offers self-service tools (online exercises and resources that individuals can access through an app) and on-site therapy.
You can also integrate Lyra’s services with your existing health plan. You can also request a demo to get a closer look at the services.
2. CuraLinc Healthcare
CuraLinc Healthcare is another well-known name in the employee-care and behavioral health industry.
From coping with addictive behaviors and substance abuse to managing work-life balance, CuraLinc Healthcare solves a broad spectrum of personal issues.
Participating members (i.e., employees and their eligible family/household members) can access counselors’ services through phone calls, text messages, live video chats, and other channels.
According to their website, CuraLinc Healthcare’s EAP and MAP (member assistance program) work on the four following core pillars:
- Access – participants and members can reach their services and resources through different channels.
- Engagement – depending on your specific needs, the company will create a custom strategy to engage your employees.
- User-Experience – the company designed its overall experience keeping mental health and substance abuse problems in mind.
- Outcomes – CuraLinc Health believes in delivering results, which is why they publish an annual case study. To demonstrate, on average, around 70% of participants report improved productivity after using their EAP.
You can request a proposal from their website.
3. Cascade Centers
In general, there are a few culprits behind stress. However, the usual suspects are finance-related.
To make matters worse, there is a stigma around discussing money problems. Employees don’t feel comfortable discussing their financial hurdles or burdens with human resources.
Cascade Centers provides a wide range of counseling services to make things easier, focusing on personal finance.
You can expect the following services with its EAP:
- Financial – you can get financial coaching from experienced professionals for either a month or throughout the year.
- Home Ownership Program – buying a new house is overwhelming. With the help of this program, your employees can gain expert advice on mortgages, navigating their finances, and more.
- Life Coaching – besides finances, Cascade Centers also provides counseling for dealing with family issues and preparing for a new child. Cascade Centers will help your employees cope with even the most challenging situations in life.
It also specializes in childcare services.
Furthermore, Cascade Centers offers an online mental health screening tool called “WholeLife Directions” to recommend EAP services based on the user’s risk level.
You can request an appointment, proposal, or schedule training – all on their website.
If you’re interested in learning more about EAPs, then check out our HR Certification Courses:
4. Ulliance
Ulliance offers one of the most comprehensive EAPs focused on leveraging the power of content.
Known as the Life Advisor EAP, it claims that about 94% of participants overcame their problems through its short-term counseling sessions.
Another statistic claims that they were able to help a large employer save $2,869,769 on mental health and abuse benefits.
The offers its EAP services through an app, which includes:
- Face-to-face sessions with professional counselors
- A portal where participants can access content in different areas
- Other support services and materials for managers
You can request a quote on their website. Provide your contact information and specify the areas you need assistance with (along with a few other details).
5. Magellan Healthcare
Specializing in a wide range of healthcare services (and with over 50 years of experience), Magellan Healthcare deserves a spot on this list.
The company’s employee healthcare program is one of the best in the country.
On the website, Magellan Healthcare claims that its average client retention rate is 93%, whereas about 50% of its staff has clinical qualifications.
The EAP combines various online tools, on-site services, and resources to help your employees overcome personal obstacles related to legal, financial, identity theft, elder care, childcare, and other problems.
Furthermore, the company provides managers/leaders with the strategic guidance they need to improve performance.
If you’re interested, you can contact their sales team today or make a sales inquiry through their website.
6. BHS
A company specializing in assistance, care, and behavioral health services, BHS is best known for offering one of the most robust and complete EAPs.
According to their website, their goal is to “make a big impact on your organization” by reducing health insurance costs and boosting performance.
They do so by offering professional counseling to your employees (and their family members) on different problems.
The key features include:
- Face-to-face counseling sessions
- Unlimited telephone access (toll-free) for assessments and referral services
- Dedicated account/program manager
- Data analysis
- Strategic advice for managers
To request a quote, you can contact their sales team through their website.
7. AllOne Health
AllOne Health concludes this list of my top EAP providers in 2025.
They offer innovative and custom assistance solutions to both employees and students.
A few of their key specialties include:
- Mental health counseling
- Life coaching
- Organizational training and development
- Critical incident response
- Medical advocacy
According to their website, they have a staggering 99% customer retention rate and a 7-second response time. Furthermore, they claim that they have an affiliate network of over 4,000 counselors.
In addition to EAP, AllOne Health also provides alcohol/drug testing services, background screening, and more.
How to Create and Offer Employee Assistance Programs [A 3-Step Process]
Creating and administering an employee assistance program for the first time is intimidating. However, it’s not as difficult as it seems.
Just follow these steps:
1. Pick the Path You’ll Take
First, you need to decide on the type of model you’ll use for your EAP.
This decision depends on your budget, special requirements, and policies.
You can choose from any of the following paths:
- Creating an Internal Program – if you think you have the budget (and it fits your requirements), you can make an in-house EAP. You’ll need to hire full-time or part-time professional counselors, create the paperwork, and manage everything by yourself.
- Opting for an External/Third-Party Service – instead of doing everything yourself, you can outsource to a provider (like the ones discussed above) who will administer and manage everything for you.
In general, most employers opt for the second option.
2. Create & Communicate a Policy for Your Employee Assistance Program
Once you select a suitable model, you should create and share an internal policy for your EAP.
This should detail how your employees can access the EAP services, privacy concerns, additional information, and FAQs.
3. Track the Progress
Last but not least, with your EAP framework in place, it’s time to measure its effectiveness. Conduct regular surveys to gauge where you stand regarding engagement and performance. Moreover, you can even include specific questions about your new EAP.
Conclusion
With a decent employee assistance program, you can experience better performance, higher growth, and a happier and healthier workforce. If you’re considering outsourcing, don’t forget to discuss your specific requirements with the vendor. Ultimately, evaluate all your options before you proceed with a company by considering a few examples of EAPs.
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) topic:
What is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and how does it support employee mental health?
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a workplace service designed to provide mental health support to employees facing various personal or professional challenges. These programs offer confidential counseling, stress management resources, and referrals to specialized professionals, helping employees address mental health concerns before they impact job performance or overall well-being. Through EAPs, employees can connect with licensed counselors and receive guidance on issues such as anxiety, depression, or work-life balance, creating a healthier and more productive work environment.
Why is employee mental health a critical focus for organizations today?
Employee mental health has become a crucial aspect of organizational well-being because mental health concerns significantly impact productivity, job satisfaction, and retention rates. As mental health issues, such as burnout, stress, and anxiety, continue to rise in the workplace, offering resources like EAPs can help employees manage these challenges effectively. By prioritizing mental health support, organizations demonstrate a commitment to employee well-being, reduce absenteeism, and create a more resilient workforce.
How can the Employee Assistance Professionals Association help with workplace mental health?
The Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA) is a global organization dedicated to promoting the highest standards in the delivery of employee mental health services. EAPA provides resources, training, and certification for employee assistance professionals to ensure that EAPs are equipped to handle complex mental health concerns. By partnering with EAPA, organizations can ensure their EAPs follow best practices and support employees struggling with various mental health challenges.
What are the benefits of offering an EAP for addressing employee mental health concerns?
Offering an EAP allows organizations to proactively address employee mental health concerns, enhancing overall workplace health and productivity. Employees who have access to EAP services are more likely to seek help for stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues, reducing the stigma around mental health support. This improves individual well-being and fosters a culture of care and support within the organization, leading to higher morale, reduced turnover, and a more engaged workforce.
If you are new to Human Resources and are looking to break into any HR Operations position, we recommend taking our HR Certification Courses, where you will learn how to build your skillset in human resources, build your human resources network, craft an excellent HR resume, and create a successful job search strategy that lands you a sought-after HR Operations job.
