Caregiver finds friend and ally in EAP counselor

Aug 11, 2021

Caregiver Ike Stewart was facing a difficult road. He loved his role as an MRI technologist at Alta View Hospital but his cancer and complications from chemotherapy had left him unable to tie his shoes without running out of breath. He needed to go on long-term disability, which meant he would lose both his position at Intermountain and his employee insurance.

Devastated, despondent, and exhausted, Ike decided to call the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). He’d recommended the free counseling service to colleagues, but says he’d never thought he would need it himself.

“When I called EAP, I was put in contact with Ingrid Brown and she immediately made me feel better,” Ike says. “She was very kind, thoughtful, patient, and gentle when examining the root causes of my psychological distress. She got me to talk in depth about all my thoughts, feelings, emotions, and experiences as they pertained to my stress, anxiety, sadness, and overall feeling of helplessness. The more I talked to Ingrid the better I felt, and I really began to feel as though I had a friend and ally. Maybe, just maybe, things could get better.”

Ingrid not only worked with Ike on processing his emotions around his illness and disability, but also his feelings about his family and how they were impacted. She helped him keep his mind occupied and spirits up with Udemy classes and daily goals. They worked together on a self-care plan. She even contacted his Leave of Absence representative to try and find less physically-demanding work he could do while his lungs were recovering.

“I always felt like Ingrid was present and there for me,” says Ike. “She never hung up the phone until she’d already booked our next appointment, assuring me she was always there anytime I felt the need to call her for any reason. This gave me the feeling of constant and consistent emotional support that was as quick and easy as a phone call away.”

As Ike was working with Ingrid, things started to improve. His pulmonologist released him for light-duty MRI work, and his manager scheduled him for shifts. His surgeons were able to repair his paralyzed lung. Ike was no longer facing the prospect of long-term disability, losing a job he loved, and losing the insurance he relied on to help him get better. He plans to go back to work with no restrictions starting September 1.

“I feel wonderful these days,” Ike says. “There’s no way I would’ve gotten through these past several months without Ingrid. She made all the difference in the world in helping me keep it together.”

Ike says he’ll continue to pay attention to his emotions and will reach out to EAP again if things feel overwhelming or are impacting his job or his life. He plans to ask for Ingrid by name, who he now considers “a friend."

To his fellow caregivers who may be hesitant to reach out to EAP, Ike says, “Just do it. It’s easy and 100 percent confidential. People fear being judged, but you won’t be judged—only listened to. And the kindness and support you receive will make a huge difference in helping solve whatever issues you might be experiencing.”

“I encourage anyone who’s struggling with life-related issues to call EAP,” says Intermountain EAP director Matt Steinkamp. “There’s really no reason you shouldn’t call to see how EAP can assist you.”

Connect with EAP by calling 801-442-3509 or visit the EAP webpage to learn more. You’re also invited to join an EAP sponsored CARE session.