CEAPs

CEAPs most commonly refers to the holders of the Certified Employee Assistance Professional credential, awarded by the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA). The credential recognizes expertise in designing, delivering, and evaluating employee assistance programs (EAPs) within workplaces to help employees address personal and work-related challenges.

The CEAP credential signals competence across core EAP responsibilities, including initial assessment, confidential short-term counseling, referral to resources, crisis intervention, and collaboration with managers and human resources. It also emphasizes program development, implementation, and evaluation to support workforce wellbeing, productivity, and safety. Adherence to professional ethics and confidentiality standards is a central component of the credential.

Eligibility and certification typically require professional experience in related fields such as counseling, psychology, social work, human resources, or occupational health, along with completion of CEAP-approved education or training and a certification assessment or examination. Applicants may also need to demonstrate knowledge of ethics and applicable laws governing employee assistance practice.

Recertification generally involves ongoing continuing education to maintain competency and reflect evolving practice, with updates to standards and renewal periods varying by issuing organization. CEAPs are widely used in corporate, government, and nonprofit settings to standardize practice and promote consistent quality in employee support services. While the credential is the most common reference for CEAPs, variations and similar certifications exist in different regions.

See also: Employee assistance program, workplace mental health, professional ethics.