Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Introduction
As part of our commitment to staff wellbeing The University of Newcastle provides professional and confidential counselling for our most important asset - you!
The EAP provides:
6 University funded sessions of external professional counselling for personal or work related issues per patient each calendar year;
Face-to-face counselling during working hours, or phone counselling 24 hours a day;
Assistance to all employees and their immediate family members (spouse/partner and dependent children under the age of 21 still living at home);
A completely confidential service;
An information and advice service for managers and supervisors.
The EAP is there to help you attain your potential in life and work - Don't let issues hold you back - deal with them quickly and effectively through the EAP.
The Service Providers
The University's EAP offers a choice of two providers who offer professional counselling with an experienced registered psychologist who is familiar with the unique challenges of a University working environment and the numerous other challenges that life can present:
Life Matters Psychologists |
NewPsych Psychologists |
Have offices in Newcastle, Maitland and affiliated organisations in Sydney. |
Has a head office in Newcastle, with a number of affiliated organisations servicing the Newcastle, Central Coast, Orange, Port Macquarie and Tamworth areas. |
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Staff members and their families can make an appointment by either phoning 4965 3530 or emailing the administration team at contactus@lifematters.com.au. Life Matters Psychologists offer appointments Monday to Friday, 9:00AM - 7:30PM and Saturday 8:00AM - 4PM. To determine which psychologist may best suit your needs please go to the Life Matters Psychologist website at www.lifematters.com.au. Staff in Sydney should contact Life Matters Psychologist for a referral to a local provider. |
Staff members and their families can make an appointment by phoning 4926 5005 or emailing reception@newpsych.com.au. Self referral is also available via the website here. NewPsych psychologists offer after hours appoinments Monday to Thursday evening and on Saturdays. To determine which psychologist may best suit your needs please go to the NewPsych's website at www.newpsych.com.au |
If you are unable to get an appointment at a suitable time with the first provider you call, try the other provider.
Important Information
If you require urgent counselling, please make the receptionist aware of this when you call to make an appointment. The counselling is short-term, solution-focused and explores practical strategies for dealing with your issues in a supportive and non-judgmental environment. Cancellation of appointments with less than 24 hours notice will be regarded as being one of the 6 EAP sessions per calendar year that are funded by the University.
Manager Help Line
Managers and supervisors can call an EAP program manager or senior psychologist to discuss, or get assistance on, work related issues affecting occupational health and safety or people management issues. This service is accessed by calling:
Life Matters Psychology Services on 4965 3530
NewPsych Psychologists on 4926 5005
Quality of Service
To ensure that the service providers maintain the highest level of service to our staff members and their families you are asked to contact your Human Resource Officer or the Health and Safety team for any feedback or further assistance you may require

