Why Balanced Collective Partnered with a New Kind of EAP

You Might Have Free Therapy Sessions and Not Even Know It: How Modern EAPs Are Changing Mental Health Benefits

The healthcare landscape is changing. Simultaneously, employers are recognizing the importance of supporting the mental wellbeing of their employees. Offering robust mental health benefits signals a supportive workplace culture and employees increasingly choose companies that prioritize mental health.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) are changing too. EAPs began decades ago as workplace support services focused mainly on crisis intervention, substance use, and personal counseling. While helpful, traditional EAPs were often limited—offering only a few sessions, long wait times, and minimal follow-up care.

In recent years, EAPs have evolved dramatically. Balanced Collective has chosen to contract with Lyra because instead of being a short-term referral service, they function as a comprehensive mental health network, connecting employees to highly trained clinicians in your community within days and offering 6–24 sessions (company dependent) of evidence-based therapy at no cost.

Even if you already have health insurance, your employer might also offer an EAP that covers 6–24 free sessions before you ever use your insurance benefits.

Here's what we are especially excited about:

Cost to Client

Free therapy sessions — usually 6 to 24 sessions per year, fully covered by the employer. No copays. No deductibles. Many employers also provide these benefits to eligible family members, including children and spouses.

Access to Care

 Fast access — clients can schedule directly online or through a matching tool, often with appointments available within days. If you are hoping to schedule with a Balanced Clinician and you do not see availability through the Lyra portal, please connect with us through the website.

Clinician Quality

Network includes highly trained clinicians carefully vetted for professional standards and clinical experience with a focus on evidence-based therapy approaches for effective, goal-oriented treatment.

Personalized Matching

Clients can choose characteristics that are important to their care such as specialty, cultural fit, and preferences, ensuring the right therapeutic match.

Confidentiality

Completely confidential — employer never receives identifying details about participation or progress. Unlike insurance companies, Lyra never asks for diagnostic information, session notes, or other private details from your sessions.

Session Focus

Designed for early support, prevention, and specific concerns (e.g., stress, trauma, relationships, anxiety, work-life balance). Unlike insurance companies that require a diagnosis, you do not need to wait until your wellness has deteriorated to the point of needing a diagnosis before accessing support.

If you are in need of specific interventions for a mental health condition, e.g. depression, PTSD, anxiety, OCD, etc, we have that covered too.

Clients can choose to continue care with the same therapist after EAP sessions using other forms of payment (e.g. HSA, FSA, private pay, etc.).

Ease of Use

Simple digital platform and dedicated support team to help clients connect quickly.

Not Sure If You Have EAP Benefits Through Work? Here’s How to Check.

Many employees don’t realize their workplace may offer free therapy sessions through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). If you’re unsure whether you have access to these benefits, here’s how to find out:

1. Check your employee benefits portal.
   Log into your HR or benefits website (the same place you review health insurance or PTO). Look for a section labeled “Employee Assistance Program” or “Mental Health Support.”

2. Ask HR privately.
   You can email or call your HR representative and simply ask:
   “Does our company offer an Employee Assistance Program for mental health?”
   They can confirm without needing personal information.

3. Review your onboarding or benefits materials.
   Many employers include information about free counseling sessions or mental health partnerships in their annual benefits packets or onboarding emails.

4. Search your company intranet or email.
   Try searching for keywords like “EAP,” “mental health,” “therapy,” or “well-being.”

5. Ask your therapist or clinic for help.
   If you’re not sure where to start, we can often help you verify whether your employer offers these benefits. Sometimes all we need is the name of your company.

Even if you already have health insurance, your employer might also offer an EAP that covers 6–24 free sessions before you ever use your insurance benefits.

Accessing care might be easier than you think.