# Employee wellness program offers free, confidential services

/ Published April 11, 2022
FORT BELVOIR, Va., 
Defense Logistics Agency employees have easy access to free, confidential resources that can help with everyday tasks like finding a pet sitter or dealing with complex issues like depression, grief and resilience. 

The Employee Assistance Program is a voluntary work-life program that provides counseling and other services to DLA employees and their household members. It also offers free consultations for legal and financial services, help with childcare or eldercare concerns for in- or out-of-state parents, and more. 

Services are available by phone at 1-866-580-9046 or online.

“If you have a son who’s struggling with stress or anxiety or a mother who lives with you who is looking for better senior care, they can use EAP services, too,” said Patty Norton, DLA’s EAP program manager. 

After creating an account on the EAP website using DLA as the sponsoring agency, employees and their families can explore over 20 categories including legal services, lifestyle coaching, identity theft resolution, community resources and emergency kits. Clicking on “Self-Care Programs,” for example, links users to a self-assessment that matches individuals with recommended resources ranging from counselors to articles and self-guided tools on sleep issues, substance abuse and more. 

“It’s like someone has already done the research for you and taken the stress off your plate. And online specialists are available 24/7 every day of the year to provide even more individualized care,” Norton said. 

Users can receive six free counseling sessions with a licensed counselor each year by clicking on the “Counseling” icon. Sessions may be by video or phone. If an employee or household member is seeking long-term counseling, EAP representatives will help find local resources that best fit the employee or family member’s needs. 

“It’s completely confidential so you don’t have to worry about your supervisor knowing,” Norton added. “Even I, as the program manager, don’t know who’s attending counseling.” The program also offers weekly webinars on topics like thriving in a multigenerational workforce and retirement exit strategies. Webinars are announced in the HR Announcements section of DLA Today and sent to supervisors via email, and replays are available on the website. Presentations are available for groups upon request and may focus on topics like resilience or dealing with change. 

Individuals who contact the program via the website or toll-free number can be connected to an onsite EAP consultant. Cynthia Clark, the onsite EAP consultant for the McNamara Headquarters Complex, praised the program for its breadth of services.  

“The EAP is an awesome benefit, full of services for the entire household, dealing with just about any situation,” she said, adding that on-site coordinators can provide EAP orientations, and health and wellness presentations.

Norton said the EAP has something for everyone.

“I get emails all the time from people who say thanks for making the information available or that they found a particular presentation helpful,” she said. “It’s good to know these resources are making a difference to our workforce.”