You Can Make a Difference

Jordan, a young man, battled substance use disorder for nearly a decade. He began using substances at just 15 years old, and over time, his usage escalated to injection. Despite several treatment attempts, Jordan had never completed a program successfully.

At EFR, his counselor took the time to understand Jordan’s story—exploring his past experiences with treatment to uncover the underlying reasons he struggled to finish each program. Together, they identified specific factors essential for his recovery and pinpointed a program that was a strong match.

When his admission was initially denied due to age restrictions, his counselor didn’t hesitate to advocate directly with the program, working tirelessly to secure Jordan’s placement. Through his counselor’s unwavering commitment and Jordan’s own readiness for change, we secured him a spot in his preferred program—giving him the best possible start on his journey to recovery.

A few weeks into the school year, Emma, a high school student, reached out to EFR’s Student Assistance Program (SAP) with concerns about her relationship with her stepmom. Emma felt she was being “singled out” and that her stepmom was “out to get her,” leading to constant tension at home. 

When her SAP counselor met with her and gathered more details, it became clear the issue wasn’t a single conflict— it was an ongoing struggle rooted in communication patterns.

Together, Emma and her counselor practiced using “I” statements and reframing her language to express herself more openly. Emma learned to approach conversations without assumptions or accusations, instead focusing on vulnerability and understanding. By their final session, Emma shared a transformative realization: “I feel like I have a whole new perspective on life, and I can actually connect with my stepmom now.”

Sarah, a client in her mid-twenties, turned to EFR’s EAP services with a simple but profound goal: to get her life on track. For years, she had quietly struggled with anxiety and depression, feeling more balanced during the warmer months but sinking into darkness each winter. Sarah had tried medication years before, but it left her feeling worse, and though she had considered counseling, she wasn’t sure where to start.

Encouraged by her supportive manager, Sarah decided to give EAP counseling a try, albeit with some hesitation. She knew the EAP counselor would listen, offer practical tools, and provide referrals if necessary. But what Sarah found was more than that—her EAP counselor gave her the courage to take the next step. After their sessions, she felt empowered to return to her primary care provider and open up about her struggles. Together they found a new medication that soon began making a difference. For the first time in years, Sarah felt hopeful as winter approached.

The experience was so positive that Sarah sought ongoing therapy referrals, ready to continue her journey with newfound optimism and confidence. The compassionate support of EFR’s EAP had turned her apprehension about therapy into a stepping stone in her mission to get her life on track.