At The University of Texas at Austin, supporting employee well-being extends far beyond the Forty Acres. Each year, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) travels to two of UT's unique research communities—the UT Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas and the McDonald Observatory in the Davis Mountains—to provide in-person mental health services, consultation, and tailored programming.
In March, EAP Counselor Geeti Shirazi Mahajan, LCSW-S, MPH, C-IAYT, visited the UT Marine Science Institute, where she offered a Silent Retreat, individual counseling sessions, and presentations designed to support the well-being of faculty and staff working in a close-knit coastal research environment. In June, EAP Manager Laura Gomez-Horton, LCSW-S, traveled to McDonald Observatory, providing individual counseling sessions and presentations on stress, anxiety, and available EAP resources tailored to the unique challenges of living and working in a remote research community.
These annual visits reflect EAP's commitment to understanding the distinct needs of the communities we serve and bringing meaningful support directly to employees—wherever they work. By building relationships, listening to employees, and providing relevant resources, EAP helps foster connection, resilience, and well-being across the university.
Closer to home, EAP also increases access to services through embedded counselors and satellite offices located at Pickle Research Campus, Facilities Services, Dell Medical School/UT Health Austin, and the McCombs Wellness Center, in addition to its main office location on campus. Counseling services, manager consultations, and trainings are available both in person and virtually.
To learn more about EAP counseling services, manager consultations, and trainings, visit the EAP website.