Running a small or medium-sized business means your people are at the heart of everything you do. But people are human, and life doesn’t stop when they walk through the door. Stress, family responsibilities, health worries, and day-to-day pressures can all spill over into the workplace. That’s where an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can make a huge difference.
What is an EAP?
An EAP is a confidential support service that gives employees access to professional help when they need it. Typically, this includes a set number of counselling sessions with a psychologist or counsellor, plus practical advice around issues like finances, family relationships, or even legal matters.
The key point: employees access support directly, not through their employer, so it stays independent and private.
For smaller businesses without a dedicated HR or wellbeing team, this independence is particularly valuable. It ensures employees have somewhere safe to turn, while giving employers confidence that they’re providing meaningful support without needing to manage it themselves.
Why it Matters for Employees
Imagine one of your team members is dealing with a family breakdown or caring for an elderly parent. They may not want to share those details at work, but the stress could affect their concentration and performance. With an EAP, they can talk to a professional straight away, without worrying about cost or waiting lists.
EAPs can also be a lifeline for workplace challenges. Someone feeling overwhelmed by workload or a strained relationship with a colleague might hesitate to raise it directly with their manager. Confidential support gives them space to talk it through, develop strategies, and often resolve issues before they escalate.
Why it Matters for Business Owners and Managers
It’s not just employees who benefit. Business owners and people managers often find themselves in the middle of sensitive personal issues they don’t feel equipped to handle. Many EAPs also provide coaching for managers, advice on how to approach difficult conversations, manage conflict, or support someone experiencing mental health challenges.
Take, for example, two team members who aren’t getting along. Rather than jumping straight into mediation unprepared, you can call the EAP for confidential guidance on how to handle it constructively.
The Bigger Picture
Every employee counts in a small or medium-sized business. High stress, conflict, or burnout can quickly impact the whole team. By giving people access to an EAP, you’re not only supporting their well-being but also protecting the health of your business.
The benefits are clear: reduced absenteeism, better focus, stronger morale, and higher retention. And EAPs are often more affordable than many business owners expect; they can be tailored to the size of your workforce, with flexible options available.
Two Ways to Access EAP Support
There are many providers out there, but to make it clear, we’ve profiled two different approaches you could take: a local in-person option and a flexible online option.
Local Option: Prosper Health
Dr Kellie Cassidy, Director and Clinical Psychologist at Prosper Health Collective, has built her EAP offering around accessibility and trust.
After starting her career in the public health system and later moving into private practice, Kellie founded Prosper with the goal of helping people flourish in all aspects of life. As she explains:
“While private practice allows us to do this one-on-one, EAP expands that reach; it allows us to bring psychology to more people, in settings where the ripple effects are enormous. Healthy workplaces don’t just benefit the individual; they benefit families, communities, and society as a whole.”
She also saw a gap in the way many traditional EAPs operate:
“Many EAP programs are either under-utilised or designed in ways that don’t truly meet the needs of workplaces. I wanted to create something simpler, more human, and more flexible.”
That’s why Prosper’s EAP program is deliberately straightforward: no annual fees, simple access, and proactive extras like workplace workshops. Employees contact Prosper directly, with no HR or management gatekeeping, and sessions are completely confidential.
The support goes beyond counselling, too. As Kellie puts it:
“We provide a free annual workshop tailored to the workplace, helping normalise conversations about wellbeing. We also support HR and leadership teams with resources, education, and crisis response when needed. It’s a blend of reactive support and proactive wellbeing promotion.”
Flexibility is also a cornerstone. Businesses can choose how many sessions are available per employee, whether family members are included, and how support is structured.
“Every workplace is different, and we design EAP services with you and your company’s budget in mind… The best place to start is simply by having a conversation with us about what your people need.”
Online Option: Talked
For a modern, flexible approach, Talked offers EAP services entirely online. Co-Founder and COO Vincent Lau was inspired to create Beyond EAP after his own frustrating experience trying to use a traditional provider while working in corporate law at the start of COVID.
“I had to call an operator, wait two weeks for an appointment, and had no choice over who I spoke with. My experience with the EAP caused more confusion and stress than the service likely intended.”
He wanted to create something better.
“My poor experience highlighted that connecting with a therapist should be much simpler. Talked’s Beyond EAP was built to make the process seamless. Therapists are available 24/7, with connections possible within 24 hours.”
Talked gives employees choice and control. They can review therapist profiles, watch video introductions, and read reviews before booking. They also have unlimited free 15-minute consultations to find the right fit. Support is available by video, chat, or phone, whatever works best for them.
For Vincent, it’s personal:
“From my own experience, I know the damage poor mental health and ineffective therapy can cause. Through Talked, I want to deliver measurable outcomes for organisations and employees alike.”
Employers also get visibility through a live dashboard showing de-identified data about utilisation, common themes, and resources accessed.
“Access to quality support and transparency are at the core of Beyond EAP. Our goal is to align with the values of each employer, fostering positive outcomes for businesses, staff, and the wider community.”
And the service doesn’t stop at counselling. Employees can use tools like journaling features, therapist-written resources, and Medicare integration, ensuring the support is practical, holistic, and easy to access.
Want to Learn More?
To help demystify EAPs, we’re hosting a free 30-minute lunchtime webinar, Understanding EAP Programs: What They Are and Why They Matter, on Tuesday, 23 October 2025 at 12.30 pm.
Our Director, Carli Saw, will unpack how EAPs work, why they’re valuable for small businesses, and the positive impact they can have on performance and wellbeing. We’ll also be joined by Vincent Lau from Talked, who will share how their online platform works and what sets it apart.
Final Thoughts
An EAP isn’t about solving every problem for your employees; it’s about giving them access to the right support at the right time. For business owners, it’s peace of mind knowing you’ve got a trusted resource to lean on when challenges arise.
Whether you choose a local provider like Prosper Health, an online platform like Talked, or another option that suits your workplace, the message is the same: investing in your people’s wellbeing is one of the smartest business decisions you can make.
How We Can Help
At Strawberry Seed Consulting, we know that choosing the right wellbeing support for your team can feel overwhelming, especially for small and medium businesses without a dedicated HR function. That’s where we can step in.
We help businesses explore options for Employee Assistance Programs that genuinely fit their size, culture, and budget. Whether it’s connecting you with local providers like Prosper Health or online platforms like Talked, which deliver fast, flexible, and transparent access, we’ll work with you to find the right match.
We support leaders with practical strategies to build healthier workplaces, from developing flexible policies to training managers in how to respond when someone is struggling. Or if you’d like tailored advice on what support will work best for your workplace, get in touch:
📞 (03) 4216 5200
✉️ info@strawberryseed.com.au
🌐 www.strawberryseed.com.au
