Frequently Asked Questions:
The Trauma Counseling benefit is provided by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
Q: What is Trauma Counseling?
A: Trauma Counseling is an innovative form of mental health care that provides confidential therapy at any time in the one-year aftermath of a traumatic incident. It matches you with a therapist and uses the latest communication technologies—phone, video, text and even AI (artificial intelligence)—to provide help when you need it.
Q: Who is eligible?
A: All active, dues-paying PEF members who are either actively employed or on a leave of absence and who have experienced a covered traumatic incident are eligible to receive this benefit. Retired members are not eligible for this coverage.
Q: What is covered, and when?
A: You are covered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, if your incident involves any of the following: domestic violence, aggravated assault, sexual assault, mass shooting, terrorism, or you are infected, injured, or traumatized by a disease during a major disaster. Coverage also includes incidents in your place of work if you are traumatized by contracting an infectious disease, witnessing a violent incident, bullying, harassment, threats or secondary traumas.
Q: What is considered a major disaster?
A: There are two types of disaster declarations made by the federal government: emergency declarations and major disaster declarations. A major disaster is any natural catastrophe, including any hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm or drought, or, regardless of cause, any fire, flood, or explosion, in any part of the United States, that causes damage, ecological disruption, loss of human life, and deterioration of health, and health services on a large scale.
Q: Didn’t I already have this benefit?
A: This is an additional and unique benefit beyond any provided by your insurance, your employer, an employee assistance program or workers’ compensation.
Q: What does this cost?
A: There is no cost to you; it is an AFT-paid benefit for eligible PEF members.
Q: Does the traumatic incident have to occur at work to be eligible to receive the benefit?
A: No. Your coverage is much broader than your employment. Some incidents are specific to the workplace, while others are broader.
Q: How do I sign up? How can I trust that this service is confidential?
A: You do not have to sign up for the service until you need it. Simply complete the Inquiry Form on the Trauma Counseling web page.
Q: Why am I required to submit a claim to receive benefits?
A: Trauma Counseling is provided through insurance, and submitting a claim is the process to request benefits—similar to requesting healthcare benefits through your health insurance company.
Q: Is this different from an employee assistance program?
A: Yes, the counselors in this program have all received specialized training in post-traumatic care. The benefit offers up to 21 sessions of therapy, personally customized to stretch across three months in short and long sessions, and staged to include a diagnosis, a midway update and a final summarizing session.
Q: What if I don’t have access to a computer?
A: Please call the program’s toll-free number, (855) 631-1421, to speak with an authorized representative about different ways to access this form of therapy.
Q: If I use trauma counseling, can I also receive benefits from workers’ compensation, my employer, and/or counseling through my insurance?
A: Yes, this trauma benefit is in addition to those benefits.
Q: Is trauma from contracting the coronavirus covered?
A: Yes, contracting the coronavirus is a covered incident if contracted while at work. A workplace incident report from your workplace or your union that verifies workplace exposure to the coronavirus will be required.
Q: When is this benefit not available?
A: Coverage ends if you are no longer an active, dues-paying PEF member or on leave of absence.
Q: Do I need to enroll?
A: Active, dues-paying PEF members do not need to enroll. If a covered incident occurs, simply complete and submit an Inquiry Form.
Q: Is there a waiting period?
A: No.
Q: How do I find a therapist who is covered by the Trauma Counseling benefit?
A: You don’t have to find a therapist. The Trauma Counseling program will connect you. It has identified high performing therapists across the United States. Each is licensed, has earned a master’s or higher degree, is trained in post-traumatic incident mental health care and has undergone an extensive background check.
Q: What if I don’t have time to see a counselor?
A: Because this counseling is facilitated by today’s technology, you have great flexibility in setting up your sessions, which can occur 24/7 from anywhere. Of course, sessions must be scheduled at times agreeable to
both parties.
Q: What if I don’t seek trauma counseling right after an incident?
A: Trauma counseling can be provided within one year from the date of a covered incident. Counseling must begin within one year following an incident.
Q: How do I file a claim?
A: Claims can be filed directly on the Trauma Counseling web page.
