An Employee Assistance Professional (EAP) is a work-based resource for organizations and companies to help employees and their family members with personal problems that might affect productivity. Individuals who provide this service come from a variety of backgrounds. While many EAPs have master's degrees or training in social work, psychology or counseling, most EAPs have an intimate knowledge and experience of working with people who have addictions.

This is a very common question. Getting a job in the field would entail obtaining training and experience in the areas mentioned above and then finding the employers who might hire you.  By joining EAPA and attending the Chapter meetings, you will meet many of the people who have that information and who are already in the EAP field.

EAPA stands for the Employee Assistance Professionals Association. Starting in 1971, EAPA is the largest and oldest professional group for EAPs.  With a membership of over 5,000 in about 100 Chapters in the United States and ten Chapters in other countries, EAPA is committed to providing on-going education, training and support to those in the employee assistance field as well as promoting the concept of Employee Assistance.

We are the EAPA community in the Baltimore, Maryland area. For a brief history of our Chapter, see our About Us page.

A Certified Employee Assistance Professional, or CEAP, is the only recognized credential in the EA profession. It recognizes that a person has extensive experience and knowledge of the EA field. Information about the requirements for becoming a CEAP can be found at the International EAPA Website (see above).

Professional Development Hours (PDHs) are like Continuing Education Units. They are used to become certified or maintain certification as a CEAP. They can be earned by attending a Chapter training.