EAP Seminars and Workshops

The UT Southwestern Medical Center EAP provides a variety of workplace seminars to contracted employers and their employees. Training is scheduled on a per contract basis and provided at no cost to the employee.  Available seminars and workshops may include the following topics:

Are You Managing Time?

Are you managing your time, or is time managing you? This key question, when answered, can lead to significantly improved use of valuable time. Participants gain insight into what wastes their time and if those "time wasters" are environmentally driven or self-generated. They learn to really manage time by addressing issues such as: planning and prioritizing; procrastinating; delegating; energizing. Participants will draft an action plan that helps them focus on what they can do differently to make their time more productive.

Asserting Yourself in the Workplace 

Lack of assertiveness may make you feel uneasy and inadequate. The inability to assert yourself is the result of a set of learned attitudes and communication skills that can be changed. The purpose of this workshop is to help participants learn to change behavior in a positive way, to relate to others more effectively, and to learn to speak up appropriately when feeling devalued.

Bullying in the Workplace (NEW!)

Approximately 53 million individuals in the United States report being bullied at work. While generally thought of as a problem just among school children, bullying has found its way into the workplace and has been shown to have many detrimental effects on both employees and their employers. In this seminar, participants will learn how to recognize behaviors that constitute workplace bullying as well as how to cope with and professionally confront this issue.  

Coping with Trauma and Disaster: Effects on the Workplace 

All of us have felt the effects of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and other past traumas such as the Oklahoma City tragedy and Katrina/Rita Hurricanes. These events have changed our nation and our personal sense of safety and well being. None of us is immune from having these varied and intense reactions. This training is designed to explore the normal symptoms of grief and trauma, and the adjustment we are experiencing in these times of uncertainty and ways to help us cope.

Dealing with Change in the Workplace

In this seminar, all staff can learn the skills and techniques needed to meet the challenges of change and to develop a personal action plan for success in a rapidly changing business environment. Why does change occur? What can you do about it? Tips will also be given to aid participants with assisting others to overcome their fears and/or reluctance to change. This workshop will address how to take charge of change with a positive, proactive course of action.

Depression: Effects on the Family and Workplace (New!)

Depression affects millions of people in the United States. Many of our family, friends, and co-workers have clinical depression and are not getting help for it. Recognizing the symptoms and warning signals of depression is crucial as is knowing where to get treatment. In this seminar, participants will learn more about the specific symptoms, causes, signs of depression, and resources for assistance.

Domestic Violence- Whose Problem Is It?- (New!)
(Employee Version)

Domestic violence is a serious and growing problem that affects both families and their employers. This problem needs to be addressed in the work setting to prevent disruption in the workplace and to assist the employee with EAP services. There are two core issues of power and control, and cycles of domestic violence that all of us need to understand to better address this problem.

Domestic Violence- Whose Problem Is It? – (New!)
(Supervisor Version)

Domestic violence is a serious and growing problem that affects both families and their employers. This problem needs to be addressed in the work setting to prevent disruption in the workplace and to assist the employee with EAP services. Supervisors are specifically trained to recognize the core symptoms of domestic violence as it pertains to the workplace and appropriate methods of intervention. There are two core issues of power and control, and cycles of domestic violence that all of us need to understand to better address this problem.

Effective Communication- Did You Say What I Think You Said?

Professional communication skills are important in today’s work environment. Communication is the process that allows us to exchange information and develop or enhance relationships. This workshop will assist you in learning proven methods that lead to effective verbal, nonverbal, and listening communication skills.

Employee Assistance Program: Supervisory Training (4 hrs)

At some time in our lives, all of us as employees experience personal and work stressors as well as major life changes that can affect our performance on the job. As a supervisor, one needs to balance how to address these concerns in job performance and the effect on the work environment. This training will address the role of the supervisor in handling employee concerns in work performance and how to use the EAP as a tool in these matters. Supervisors will get a full overview of EAP services and how to effectively use them.

Employee Assistance Program: Understanding Your EAP
(Employee Version)

Understanding all the services and functions of your Employee Assistance Program is crucial for all employees. This training gives a complete overview of your EAP and how you or your family can use it. This can help all employees to take advantage of this special program for helping with various personal, emotional, and work-related life stressors that we all encounter. 

Employee Assistance Program: Understanding Your EAP
(Supervisor Version)

Supervisors will learn the key components of EAP so these services can be used as a tool for their work with troubled employees. Here they learn how to identify and document basic problems of an employee and the supervisory referral process to EAP services. The advanced supervisory training will be the next step for a more extensive training for leadership development, for working with troubled employees and for use of the EAP services.

Grief and Loss: Normal Reactions to Life Changes

All of us experience life changes involving loss and personal adjustment. A change or loss of job, relocation, a death of a loved one, a divorce--all require some type of adjustment. Recovering from a loss is individual to each of us; however, there are common feelings of mourning and recovery we experience in a healing process over time. This seminar will help us look at various adjustments we all face, the grieving process, “good vs. bad” grief, and ways to promote a healthy recovery.

Handling Anger in the Workplace

All human beings experience anger at some point in their lives. It is important to learn to control one’s anger. In this seminar, through lecture, video and discussion, participants will learn strategies for dealing with anger-provoking situations and controlling their anger in a positive manner.

Healthy Boundaries = Healthy Relationships

“Good fences make good neighbors.” – Robert Frost

Boundaries are our emotional fences and effect the type of relationships we have with family, co-workers, friends, and even neighbors. Participants will learn to recognize the “Who, What, Where, and Whys” of unhealthy boundaries and how they affect their relationships. Examples of healthy boundaries and their benefits will be offered.

Holiday Stress: Is It Over Yet?

This one-hour workshop is designed to help participants understand the sources of holiday stress, and to become aware of how holiday stress can affect them. Participants will learn to:

• Understand the causes of holiday stress
• Become aware of how holiday stress can affect us physically and behaviorally
• Identify personal signs and symptoms of holiday stress
• Develop a holiday spending plan
• Explore new and creative ways to enjoy the holidays
• Learn effective coping mechanisms for managing holiday activities and stressors

How to Deal with Difficult People

Most of us come in contact with “difficult” people in our personal or professional lives every day. How you handle “difficult” people may determine your success or failure on the job. This seminar will help you develop strategies and skills for getting results from “hard to handle” people, whether they are employees, co-workers, or supervisors.

How to Handle “Different” People

Many people are “different” than us in their behavioral and personality styles. Instead of viewing those people as only “difficult,” we can learn how to adjust and better handle our reactions to them. By taking a self profile test, we can explore the four common personality profile styles, our own styles and behavior, why and how conflicts arise, and ways to reduce the conflicts and resistance in the workplace. Also, we will learn the “turn-ons and turn-offs” and how to motivate people toward positive results.

Learning to Let Go of Anger, Grief and Guilt

In order to “let go” we need to recognize the hurtful events for what they are–an event. They are not a negative yoke that we are doomed to carry on our shoulders for the rest of our life (unless we choose to!). By framing the situation for what it is rather than for its impact upon us, we are better able to gain a healthy perspective on it. This seminar will help participants to recognize those events or feelings and develop skills to move past them.

Mindfulness and Yoga for Stress Reduction at Work (New!)

Join the EAP for some lunchtime “de-stressing”! Find ways to relax, calm your mind and body, and improve your focus at work and in your life.

This is a “mini-workshop” in which you will:

• Learn what mindfulness is.
• Be introduced to ways you can begin to practice mindfulness in your life.
• Experience “office yoga” - - ways to relax your body and de-stress while you’re at work.
• Experience “guided imagery” and “progressive relaxation”.
• Leave with these and other techniques that can help you remain calm and collected, both at home and at work.

This is a participatory workshop, so please wear slacks. (Skirts and dresses will make it difficult to participate!) Come ready to learn and have fun!

More Difficult People: They’re Everywhere!

In this seminar, all staff can develop skills and strategies for getting results from “hard to handle” people, whether they’re employees, co-workers or supervisors. This class will step beyond those topics discussed in “How to Deal with Difficult People” and help participants learn how to combat negativism in the workplace.  

Multigenerational Workplace: Boomer’s and X’ers and Y’ers, Oh My! (New!)

We now have in the workplace a work environment of four generations. Recognizing there are differences in work values and expectations of these generations, conflicts have developed. This training will identify the four generations, their work values and styles, and address the differences in order to provide workable solutions and management methods to work cooperatively together. 

Navigating the Effects of Divorce on Kids (New!)

Divorced or separated? Struggles with your ex? Difficulty with the kids? Bring a lunch and join your EAP for an informative session on how divorce affects you and your children. We’ll look at the issues and explore some steps you can take to help you and your kids navigate this challenging journey. 

Parenting: Ward and June Don’t Live Here Anymore!

Parenting can be difficult under the best of circumstances. It is even more difficult for the single parent, dual career parents, and parents of adolescents when there are parent-child conflicts. As parents we face major influences on our children, which include drugs and alcohol, the internet, peer pressure, cell phones, music, video games, and other negative influences that can dramatically affect the whole family. This seminar will provide ideas and strategies for parents to more effectively deal with children of all ages in today’s times.

Relaxation Techniques for Coping with Stress

Learn how to manage day-to-day anxiety and stress by using calming, effective relaxation techniques. In this workshop, you will discover how to accurately identify your stress, recognize your stress reactions and focus your mind for problem-solving. You will learn specific reduction methods you can use both at work and home to help you manage the daily stressors.

Stress Management (Newly Revised)

Balancing the time and energy needed for your job, yourself, and others is a constant struggle that can cause a great deal of stress.  This seminar will help participants evaluate the ways in which their lives may be out of balance. Participants will learn how to rebalance their life and the stressors they face.

Drug Abuse in the Workplace: Whose Problem Is It? (New!)

Substance misuse is a major cause of lost productivity, absenteeism, and health care costs, resulting in employers losing billions of dollars annually. This training is designed to teach participants about substance misuse and dependency, early warning signs and symptoms, and options to help the persons. Active participation, case examples, and problem-solving methods will be utilized.

Terror at School: How to Talk to Your Child about Bullying (NEW!)

Whether your child is getting bullied, bullying others, or witnessing bullying at school, he or she plays a central role in either promoting or preventing this issue. This seminar will help parents debunk some of the myths of childhood bullying as well as learn how to effectively address this issue with their child, no matter what role he or she plays in the circle of bullying.

Violence in the Workplace - Supervisors and Managers

Violence in the workplace has become an increasingly serious problem. Homicides account for the second leading cause of death in the workplace. This training will focus on teaching managers and supervisors what workplace violence is, the effects of violence in the workplace, causes of violence, what constitutes a threat of violence, risk factors, and what actions can be taken to help prevent a violent episode.

Violence in the Workplace - Employees

Violence in the workplace has become an increasingly serious problem. Homicides account for the second leading cause of death in the workplace. This training will focus on employees recognizing what workplace violence is, symptoms of a potentially violent employee, the effects of violence in the workplace, causes of violence, what constitutes a threat of violence, risk factors, and what actions can be taken to help prevent a violent episode.

Workplace Harassment- How Do We Address It? (New!)

Harassment at work is a serious problem that affects not only the involved employees but often the entire work setting. Employees and their supervisors need to better understand what constitutes both emotional and sexual harassment and its harmful effect on the whole work environment.