How many free therapy sessions does an EAP give?

Your employer decides, so the number is in your benefit's own terms. Federal rules require an EAP that stands apart from your health plan to give care that is not "significant benefits in the nature of medical care", judged by "the amount, scope and duration of covered services", which is why EAP counseling is short-term. One federal example: NIH's EAP gives federal employees "up to six sessions, per issue." Of the 7 employer platforms compared here, 4 say on their own pages that the number is set by the employer or plan (Lyra Health, Modern Health, Headspace Care and Spring Health).

Is EAP therapy confidential? Will my employer know?

EAPs are confidential by design: OPM's definition calls them "free and confidential". NIH's EAP, as one example, says "All services provided by the EAP are completely confidential. No information about your involvement with EAP can be released outside the EAP office without your written consent, except in cases involving imminent safety risks or as otherwise required by law." What the platforms' own pages say your employer gets: Included Health, aggregated, de-identified data, with stated exceptions; Lyra Health, not shared with your employer unless law permits or you authorize it; Modern Health, only anonymized, aggregated data, except imminent harm or law; Headspace Care, your sponsor sees registration and last activity, not your care; Spring Health, employer won't know if you registered or booked. Ask your EAP how it reports to your employer before you start if this matters to you.

Do I have to use my EAP before my health insurance covers therapy?

No. For an EAP to count as a separate "excepted benefit" under federal rules (29 CFR 2590.732(c)(3)(vi)), "Participants in the other group health plan must not be required to use and exhaust benefits under the employee assistance program (making the employee assistance program a gatekeeper) before an individual is eligible for benefits under the other group health plan." The same rule says "There is no cost sharing under the employee assistance program." You can go straight to a therapist your health plan covers, or use both.

What happens when my EAP sessions run out?

It depends on the platform and your health plan. Lyra Health, copays or cost-sharing for extended care, medication billed to your health plan; Modern Health, your health plan, where your employer integrates it; Headspace Care, billed to your insurance, else at self-pay rates; Spring Health, health plan coverage, cost sharing or out-of-pocket, by benefit design; Talkspace, your behavioral health benefits, or out of pocket. A traditional EAP usually refers you to longer-term care your health plan covers. Without insurance, one session at the 22 services that publish a price starts at a middle price of $155.

Free sessions come only through an employer or health plan that offers it. Lyra Health's own pages say: "Your cost depends on your employer’s Lyra plan. Many members receive a set number of therapy or coaching sessions at no cost, while others may have low copays or cost-sharing for extended care." Once they are used: copays or cost-sharing for extended care, medication billed to your health plan. What your employer sees: not shared with your employer unless law permits or you authorize it. Without an employer: only some specialty care, through a health plan or a provider's referral.

Is Spring Health free?

Free sessions come only through an employer or health plan that offers it. Spring Health's own pages say: "First 6+ sessions covered by your employer" and "Employer-sponsored sessions will depend on your coverage type." Once they are used: health plan coverage, cost sharing or out-of-pocket, by benefit design. What your employer sees: employer won't know if you registered or booked. Without an employer: yes, through participating insurance or self-pay.

Is Modern Health free?

Free sessions come only through an employer or health plan that offers it. Modern Health's own pages say: "Your employer determines the number of therapy and coaching sessions you are eligible for." and "Unused sessions do not roll over, and sessions scheduled for a date after the renewal date count towards the next cycle." Once they are used: your health plan, where your employer integrates it. What your employer sees: only anonymized, aggregated data, except imminent harm or law. Without an employer: no, only through employer benefits.

How do I find out if my employer offers an EAP or a platform like Lyra or Spring Health?

Your HR or benefits portal names your EAP and its phone number. What the platforms' own pages say to do: Included Health, members of the employer's medical plan and their dependents; Lyra Health, benefits site or HR, or search at care.lyrahealth.com; Modern Health, your company must be a client and list you, so ask your Benefits Team; Headspace Care, ask your benefits administrator; Learn to Live, ask your employer, plan or school for a code; Spring Health, through your employer's or plan's access point, or your benefits team; Talkspace, an employer code or your EAP.

Through work

EAP therapy: free counseling through your employer

Name: Employer mental health benefits (EAPs) compared
Creator: OnlineTherapy.me
License: https://onlinetherapy.me/legal/terms

Most US workers have an employee assistance program and many never use it. What an EAP gives you, how many free sessions, whether your employer finds out, and the 7 online platforms employers run it through, each answer linked to the page that states it.

Platform terms checked · checked 13 d ago

60%of private-sector workers have an EAP

80%of state and local government workers

7platforms compared

8of 12 prices found on their own pages Nov 1, 2026

An employee assistance program (EAP) gives you a few free, confidential counseling sessions that your employer pays for. In March 2026, 60 percent of private-industry workers and 80 percent of state and local government workers had one. Under federal rules, an EAP that stands apart from your health plan cannot charge you a premium or a copay, or make you use it up before your health plan covers therapy. Your employer sets how many sessions you get, as Lyra Health, Modern Health, Headspace Care and Spring Health say on their own pages. Your HR or benefits portal names your EAP and how to reach it. In a crisis, call or text 988.

Start here

What do you want to know?

What an EAP isFree, confidential, short-term counseling your employer pays for, and the federal rules behind it.Read it How many free sessionsYour employer sets the number; what the platforms and one federal EAP say.Read it Will my employer know?What the rules and each platform say about who sees what.Read it 7 platforms comparedLyra Health, Spring Health and Modern Health and more: sessions, family, psychiatry.Read it When the sessions run outWhat each platform says happens next, and the cheapest routes after.Read it Platform vs platform23 comparisons people search, such as Lyra vs Spring Health.Read it

The benefit

What an EAP is, and what it may not charge you

An EAP is a work benefit, separate from your health insurance: short-term counseling and referrals your employer pays for, open to you whether or not you are on the company's health plan.

In the federal government's words

“An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a voluntary, work-based program that offers free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services to employees who have personal and/or work-related problems.”

U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Who has one

60% of private-industry workers
80% of state and local government workers
62% of all civilian workers, up from 50% in 2010

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Compensation Survey, March 2026 (published Sep 25, 2026). Access means the employer offers it; it does not count who uses it.

What federal rules let an EAP charge you: nothing

An EAP that stands apart from your health plan (an “excepted benefit” under 29 CFR 2590.732(c)(3)(vi), with the same rule for the Treasury and HHS) must meet every one of these, in the regulation's words:

No premium: “No employee premiums or contributions are required as a condition of participation in the employee assistance program.”
No copay or coinsurance: “There is no cost sharing under the employee assistance program.”
Never a gatekeeper: “Participants in the other group health plan must not be required to use and exhaust benefits under the employee assistance program (making the employee assistance program a gatekeeper) before an individual is eligible for benefits under the other group health plan.”
Short-term by design: “The program does not provide significant benefits in the nature of medical care. For this purpose, the amount, scope and duration of covered services are taken into account.”

In practice: the sessions are free, you never have to use them up before your health plan pays for therapy, and you can use the EAP even if you are not on your employer's health plan (participant eligibility for benefits under the employee assistance program must not be dependent on participation in another group health plan).

Free sessions

How many free sessions you get

There is no national number: each employer buys its own benefit. Your plan documents or the platform's app show your count. Here is what the platforms and one federal EAP put in writing.

Program	Free sessions, as its pages state
NIH (a federal employer's EAP)	Federal Employees - up to six sessions, per issue.
Included Health	“Included Health services will differ for each member. Visit your employer’s Included Health website for more info about the specific services available to you.”
Lyra Health	“Your cost depends on your employer’s Lyra plan. Many members receive a set number of therapy or coaching sessions at no cost, while others may have low copays or cost-sharing for extended care.”
Modern Health	“Your employer determines the number of therapy and coaching sessions you are eligible for.” “Unused sessions do not roll over, and sessions scheduled for a date after the renewal date count towards the next cycle.”
Headspace Care	“Access to coaching or clinical services may vary depending on the plan purchased by your sponsoring organization.”
Learn to Live	“Each program has eight lessons designed to help you manage your fears and stressors.”
Spring Health	“First 6+ sessions covered by your employer” “Employer-sponsored sessions will depend on your coverage type.”
Talkspace	Its pages give no number

The platforms

7 platforms employers use, compared

Many employers run their EAP or mental-health benefit through one of these online platforms. Those reached only through work come first; the last can also be used without an employer. Each cell links to the platform's own page.

Platform	Free sessions	After them	Family	Without an employer	Psychiatry
Included Health Through work or a plan only	Differs by member, see your employer's Included Health site	Not stated	You and your dependents	Through Doctor On Demand, its service anyone can use	Yes, no controlled substances
Lyra Health Through work or a plan only	A set number, by your employer's plan	Copays or cost-sharing for extended care, medication billed to your health plan	Dependents, if your employer extends it	Only some specialty care, through a health plan or a provider's referral	Yes
Modern Health Through work or a plan only	Set by your employer	Your health plan, where your employer integrates it	Dependents: children, teens, young adults, couples	No, only through employer benefits	Yes, no controlled substances
Headspace Care Also on your own	Varies by your organization's plan	Billed to your insurance, else at self-pay rates	Family members, under the company's plan	Yes, $149 a session without insurance	Yes, no controlled substances
Learn to Live Also on your own	No sessions: 8-lesson self-guided programs	Not stated	Not stated	Yes, $149 a program	No
Spring Health Also on your own	6 or more, by your coverage	Health plan coverage, cost sharing or out-of-pocket, by benefit design	Dependents often included, varies by employer or plan	Yes, through participating insurance or self-pay	Yes, no controlled substances
Talkspace Also on your own	Not stated	Your behavioral health benefits, or out of pocket	Teen dependents	Yes, from $69 a week, or insurance	Yes, no controlled substances

Statements were copied from each platform's own pages on Oct 20, 2026; psychiatry is from its service record (checked on or after Oct 18, 2026). "Not stated" means its public pages do not say; your employer's plan documents do.

Included Health

Employer / EAP

What it includes: “Receive care for all mental health needs, including therapy, psychiatry, and medication management.”
How to check if you have it: “Included Health’s services are available to members and qualifying dependents who are enrolled in their employer-sponsored medical plan.”
What your employer sees: “Limited to aggregated, de-identified data unless otherwise authorized or required by law; except where individual-level information is required to administer benefits, coordinate care, or as authorized by the Member or required by law.”
A late cancellation or missed session: All or part of the visit's fees (avoid it with 24 hours' notice)
Without an employer: Through Doctor On Demand, its service anyone can use

Full profile Who runs it Cancelling

Lyra Health

Employer / EAP

What it includes: “Evidence-based therapy, personalized provider support, and medication management to address a wide range of mental health needs.”
How to check if you have it: “If you’re unsure whether your employer provides Lyra, start by reviewing your benefits intranet site or benefits handbook. Or, reach out to your HR team or manager. They can confirm if Lyra is part of your benefits package. You can also search at care.lyrahealth.com.”
What your employer sees: “Unless permitted under applicable laws or authorized by you, we will not disclose any of the information you provide in intake forms, assessments, or sessions with Providers to your employer or your Lyra Benefit Sponsor.” “If you are enrolled in Lyra wellness programs, we may disclose your personal information, such as your name, email address, and completion status, to your Lyra Benefit Sponsor to track your completion status.”
A late cancellation or missed session: Listed in the appointment details, where your employer allows one
Without an employer: “Individuals can access care at Lyra through an employer benefit. You may also be eligible for specialty services at Lyra through an in-network health plan or via direct referral from a primary care or specialty care provider.”

Full profile Who runs it Cancelling For therapists

Modern Health

Employer / EAP

What it includes: “Coaching, therapy, and psychiatry”
How to check if you have it: “If you are eligible for your benefit, that means your company is an active client of Modern Health and you have been included on your employer's eligibility file.”
What your employer sees: “We do not share personal information with employers unless necessary to prevent imminent harm (e.g., crisis management) or as required by law. Otherwise, we only share anonymized and aggregated information with employers.”
A late cancellation or missed session: A covered session used, or a charge (no amount printed) (avoid it with 24 hours' notice)
Without an employer: “Unfortunately, we do not provide services directly to individuals”

Full profile Who runs it Cancelling For therapists

Headspace Care

Employer / EAP

What it includes: “Headspace Care offers confidential mental healthcare through coaching via text-based chats, self-guided activities, and video-based therapy and psychiatry*.” “*video-based therapy and psychiatry services are available for U.S. members only.”
How to check if you have it: “To check to see if your organization or employer offers covered access to care through Headspace, please contact your benefits administrator directly for more information.”
What your employer sees: “The Benefit Sponsor providing you access to Headspace will receive basic information such as your contact information, whether you registered, and the date of your last activity.” “Information about your engagement with services like coaching or therapy are not shared with your Benefit Sponsor except in limited circumstances.”
A late cancellation or missed session: In a policy shown during onboarding
Without an employer: “If you’re not using insurance, out-of-pocket sessions cost $149.”

Full profile Who runs it Cancelling For therapists

Learn to Live

Employer / EAP

What it includes: “Because Learn to Live is not a medical or therapy service, we do not maintain medical records.”
How to check if you have it: “Check with your employer, health plan, provider or academic institution to see if you have free access. Once you have a code, you're ready to gain access.”
Without an employer: “You can then choose to purchase a program subscription ($149 each).”

Full profile Who runs it Cancelling

Spring Health

Employer / EAP

What it includes: “Care may include therapy, coaching, medication management, self-guided tools, specialty programs, or crisis support.”
How to check if you have it: “Eligibility depends on the employer, health plan, or sponsoring organization. The best way for a member to confirm eligibility is to visit Spring Health through the employer or health plan’s access point, or contact their benefits team.”
What your employer sees: “Your employer (or the organization that provides your Spring Health benefit) will not know whether you’ve registered, completed an assessment, or booked a session.” “Spring Health may be required to share certain information with your employer or with relevant tax authorities. This includes providing documentation on a personally identifiable basis that reports your utilization of the Services and the corresponding monetary value of those Services.”
A late cancellation or missed session: A fee or a lost sponsored session, by coverage (avoid it with 24 hours' notice)
Without an employer: “Access to Spring Health is available to individuals covered by participating insurance plans, employers offering Spring Health as a benefit, and those who choose to enroll in our self-pay options.”

Full profile Who runs it Cancelling For therapists

Talkspace

Therapy + psychiatry

What it includes: “Within a matter of days, 1-on-1 therapy begins via live virtual sessions and/or asynchronous text, audio, and video messaging.”
How to check if you have it: “Many employers cover Talkspace for free, either directly with an employer code or through an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP).”
A late cancellation or missed session: A fee or a lost session credit (no amount printed) (avoid it with 24 hours' notice)
Without an employer: “Most insured members have a $0 copay and out-of-pocket pricing starts at $69/week.”

Full profile Who runs it Cancelling For therapists

Privacy

Will my employer know I used the EAP?

An EAP is built to be confidential: your employer pays for it but does not get your name or what you discuss, with narrow exceptions for safety and the law. Here is the rule one federal EAP prints, and what each platform says.

“All services provided by the EAP are completely confidential. No information about your involvement with EAP can be released outside the EAP office without your written consent, except in cases involving imminent safety risks or as otherwise required by law.”

National Institutes of Health, Office of Research Services

Learn to Live and Talkspace do not say on their public pages what the employer sees; ask before you start.

Afterwards

When the free sessions run out

An EAP is short-term on purpose. What comes next depends on your health plan, and you never have to wait for the EAP to run out before using it.

Use your health planWhich online services name Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield and other plans, with each limit.Pay per sessionAcross 22 services that publish a price, one session starts at a middle price of $155; 6 start at $100 or less.Lower-cost routesSliding scales, free consultations and the other ways to pay less.

Head to head

The comparisons people search

People weigh these platforms against each other, usually when an employer is choosing one or a new job brings a different one, and against the services anyone can buy. Each comparison sets the two side by side.

Employer platforms against each other

Headspace Care vs Lyra Health Headspace Care vs Modern Health Headspace Care vs Spring Health Lyra Health vs Modern Health Lyra Health vs Spring Health Modern Health vs Spring Health

Against services you can buy yourself

Headspace Care vs BetterHelp Headspace Care vs Talkspace Included Health vs Doctor On Demand Included Health vs Teladoc Health (Mental Health)Lyra Health vs BetterHelp Lyra Health vs Headway Lyra Health vs Rula Lyra Health vs Talkspace Modern Health vs BetterHelp Spring Health vs Alma Spring Health vs BetterHelp Spring Health vs Charlie Health Spring Health vs Grow Therapy Spring Health vs Headway Spring Health vs Rula Spring Health vs Talkiatry Spring Health vs Talkspace

Questions

EAP therapy, answered

What is EAP therapy?: An employee assistance program (EAP) is a benefit your employer pays for that gives you a few free, confidential counseling sessions for personal or work problems, and referrals when you need longer care. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management describes it as "a voluntary, work-based program that offers free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services to employees who have personal and/or work-related problems." In March 2026, 60 percent of private-industry workers and 80 percent of state and local government workers had access to one (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Many employers now run it through an online platform such as Lyra Health, Spring Health and Modern Health.
How many free therapy sessions does an EAP give?: Your employer decides, so the number is in your benefit's own terms. Federal rules require an EAP that stands apart from your health plan to give care that is not "significant benefits in the nature of medical care", judged by "the amount, scope and duration of covered services", which is why EAP counseling is short-term. One federal example: NIH's EAP gives federal employees "up to six sessions, per issue." Of the 7 employer platforms compared here, 4 say on their own pages that the number is set by the employer or plan (Lyra Health, Modern Health, Headspace Care and Spring Health).
Is EAP therapy confidential? Will my employer know?: EAPs are confidential by design: OPM's definition calls them "free and confidential". NIH's EAP, as one example, says "All services provided by the EAP are completely confidential. No information about your involvement with EAP can be released outside the EAP office without your written consent, except in cases involving imminent safety risks or as otherwise required by law." What the platforms' own pages say your employer gets: Included Health, aggregated, de-identified data, with stated exceptions; Lyra Health, not shared with your employer unless law permits or you authorize it; Modern Health, only anonymized, aggregated data, except imminent harm or law; Headspace Care, your sponsor sees registration and last activity, not your care; Spring Health, employer won't know if you registered or booked. Ask your EAP how it reports to your employer before you start if this matters to you.
Do I have to use my EAP before my health insurance covers therapy?: No. For an EAP to count as a separate "excepted benefit" under federal rules (29 CFR 2590.732(c)(3)(vi)), "Participants in the other group health plan must not be required to use and exhaust benefits under the employee assistance program (making the employee assistance program a gatekeeper) before an individual is eligible for benefits under the other group health plan." The same rule says "There is no cost sharing under the employee assistance program." You can go straight to a therapist your health plan covers, or use both.
What happens when my EAP sessions run out?: It depends on the platform and your health plan. Lyra Health, copays or cost-sharing for extended care, medication billed to your health plan; Modern Health, your health plan, where your employer integrates it; Headspace Care, billed to your insurance, else at self-pay rates; Spring Health, health plan coverage, cost sharing or out-of-pocket, by benefit design; Talkspace, your behavioral health benefits, or out of pocket. A traditional EAP usually refers you to longer-term care your health plan covers. Without insurance, one session at the 22 services that publish a price starts at a middle price of $155.
Is Lyra Health free?: Free sessions come only through an employer or health plan that offers it. Lyra Health's own pages say: "Your cost depends on your employer’s Lyra plan. Many members receive a set number of therapy or coaching sessions at no cost, while others may have low copays or cost-sharing for extended care." Once they are used: copays or cost-sharing for extended care, medication billed to your health plan. What your employer sees: not shared with your employer unless law permits or you authorize it. Without an employer: only some specialty care, through a health plan or a provider's referral.
Is Spring Health free?: Free sessions come only through an employer or health plan that offers it. Spring Health's own pages say: "First 6+ sessions covered by your employer" and "Employer-sponsored sessions will depend on your coverage type." Once they are used: health plan coverage, cost sharing or out-of-pocket, by benefit design. What your employer sees: employer won't know if you registered or booked. Without an employer: yes, through participating insurance or self-pay.
Is Modern Health free?: Free sessions come only through an employer or health plan that offers it. Modern Health's own pages say: "Your employer determines the number of therapy and coaching sessions you are eligible for." and "Unused sessions do not roll over, and sessions scheduled for a date after the renewal date count towards the next cycle." Once they are used: your health plan, where your employer integrates it. What your employer sees: only anonymized, aggregated data, except imminent harm or law. Without an employer: no, only through employer benefits.
How do I find out if my employer offers an EAP or a platform like Lyra or Spring Health?: Your HR or benefits portal names your EAP and its phone number. What the platforms' own pages say to do: Included Health, members of the employer's medical plan and their dependents; Lyra Health, benefits site or HR, or search at care.lyrahealth.com; Modern Health, your company must be a client and list you, so ask your Benefits Team; Headspace Care, ask your benefits administrator; Learn to Live, ask your employer, plan or school for a code; Spring Health, through your employer's or plan's access point, or your benefits team; Talkspace, an employer code or your EAP.

OnlineTherapy.me is an informational data platform, not a medical provider, insurer, employer or legal adviser. Each platform's statements are its own on the date shown, and your employer's benefit sets the real terms: the number of sessions, who in your family is covered and what you pay after. Confirm with your HR or benefits team and the platform. If you are in danger or thinking about suicide, call or text 988, or call 911.

Keep going

Compare deeper

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