Faculty Staff Assistance Program
Appointments and Contact
- Appointments
- Available via phone and zoom
Contact
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Dr. Phillips
tphilli6@umd.edu
301-314-8170
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The Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) is an assessment, referral, coaching, consultation and short-term counseling service available to all full and part-time employees of the University of Maryland. Since 1988, we have worked with thousands of employees to address a variety of work-related conflicts and personal issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, relationship and family conflicts, as well as medical, legal and financial concerns.
More About the Faculty Staff Assistance Program
Meet Dr. Tonya Phillips
Dr. Phillips, PhD, LCSW-C,LCADC
Dr. Tonya C. Phillips is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug counselor with specialty areas in substance use disorders, trauma and organizational employee work/life balance. Her clinical work and research is focused on clinical intervention and employee wellbeing from an organizational context. Dr. Phillips has spent the past 15 years working with the Department of Defense where she provided administrative oversite, clinical consultation serving as mental health subject matter expert, as well as short term solutions focused couple, individual, and group psychotherapy services for employees in national security designated sensitive positions. Dr Phillips is a published author and has a private practice providing trauma informed care to uniformed personnel and professional continuing education services. She has developed training curriculums and trauma related training to a host of organizations.
Dr. Phillips completed her undergrad and co-terminal Master’s degrees in Social Work at University Of Maryland (Employee Assistance Programing Concentration) and her doctoral work at Morgan State University.
About the Faculty Staff Assistance Program
The Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) has been in existence on the College Park campus since 1984. The FSAP became a full-time program in 1988 and since then we have seen over 5,000 employees (including hundreds of their family members) for a variety of problem areas, including job difficulties; alcohol and drug problems; marital and family problems; emotional distress (anxiety, depression, stress-related disorders, etc.); legal, financial and a variety of other concerns.
The FSAP is available to meet with all full and part-time employees for assessment, referral and in many instances, short-term counseling services at no cost. Employees tend to use the program for an average of three visits, although we are able to work with employees for up to 10 sessions. When referrals are made, attention is paid to the employee's ability to afford such services, the location of the provider and the provider's area of expertise. We also help employees weave their way through the maze of managed care and insurance providers, ensuring that you receive the best services available. In many cases when an employee cannot afford to seek help outside of the University, the FSAP will often provide the service here on campus.
We are aware of the sensitive nature of all communications with employees and are extremely careful about honoring every employee's right to confidentiality. We understand that no one would use the FSAP if they did not trust that the information shared with the counselors stayed in our offices and we work hard to assure employees that this trust will remain. In cases where communications need to be shared with a supervisor, they can only occur if an employee signs a consent form, specifically stating what information can be shared, with whom, and for how long a period of time.
We are also available to consult with supervisors & department heads regarding how to best handle a difficult employee or a difficult situation at work. Guidance is provided on how to best refer an employee to the FSAP, with an emphasis on early intervention and attention to the problems. Coaching is also provided to managers on how they can best work with their employees. This approach is one that usually is successful in allowing departments to hang on to valued faculty and staff.
The FSAP's Emergency Loan Fund (FSAP-ELF) assists UMCP faculty and staff members who are experiencing a personal financial emergency and have exhausted all other avenues of support. For more information about applying for an emergency loan or contributing to the loan fund, call 314-8170 or 314-8099 or read more about it under ELF.
FSAP Counselors are also available to provide presentations on a variety of topics including Managing Stress; Supervising the Hard to Reach Employee; Negotiating Conflict; Coping with Change; Interventions for Substance Abusing Employees and Family Members; Building Boundaries and Saying No.. Counselors are also available to meet with departments for a debriefing following a death or other traumatic event.
Brief Articles to Get You Started
FSAP is no longer able to give emergency loans. Click here for some good ideas and resources from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that could be helpful with financial emergencies.