Frequently Asked Questions

The Faculty & Staff Assistance Office is Boston University’s employee assistance program. Its licensed professionals offer free and confidential counseling, consultation, and referrals for a broad range of work-related and personal concerns.

All BU full and part-time faculty, staff, and their household family members (including significant others and adult children) are eligible to utilize FSAO services.

Employees and family members meet with a licensed counselor who will help them identify concerns and offer support and strategies. FSAO staff may also assist with providing resources and referrals including for ongoing behavioral health treatment.

No, the FSAO is offered as an employee benefit, free of charge.

1. If you are in imminent danger of harming yourself or others
2. If there is evidence of neglect or abuse of a child, elder or disabled person
3. If a court of law issues a legitimate court order or subpoena

The office maintains a secure records management system which is not part of or accessible by any other University or Medical Center record system.

The FSAO is committed to creating a safe space where you can get help with life’s challenges.  If you have any questions about confidentiality, please contact us to discuss them.

You can request an appointment with a FSAO counselor by calling the office at 617-353-5381 or using the Contact Us form on our website.  Appointments are available in person in our offices on the Charles River and Medical campuses as well as virtually on our HIPAA-compliant Zoom platform or by telephone.  The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30-5 pm.

We will request some basic information about you, your concerns, your availability, and the urgency of your need.  If you schedule an appointment, we will send you our intake form and confidentiality statement.  The initial appointment will be scheduled with a licensed, professional counselor who will ask questions to better understand your concern and assist you in determining the appropriate next steps. Appointments typically last between 30 and 45 minutes. The meeting is confidential and may include referrals to other health care providers or community resources.

Yes, the FSAO can be used for a variety of reasons, including just wanting to talk to someone about a problem or to get advice on a situation. FSAO counselors are trained to listen and provide support for any issue that may be affecting your well-being.

Yes, the number of FSAO sessions available is 3 per issue per year.  This means you may receive services more than once during the year for different issues such as 3 sessions for a personal concern and 3 sessions for a workplace concern.

If you need additional support beyond what the FSAO can provide, your counselor may refer you to behavioral health providers in the community. These providers can offer more intensive and specialized services, including psychotherapy and medication management. Your counselor can help you find a provider who is a good fit for your needs and insurance coverage.

Colleagues, managers, and other service providers at BU sometimes want to recommend that an employee reach out to the FSAO for confidential assistance. If you want to refer someone, you can direct them to contact the FSAO at 617-353-5381 or via our Contact Us form.

Managers and HR Business Partners will find more information on referring employees at this link.