What is Trauma Counseling?
Trauma Counseling is an innovative form of mental health care which provides immediate and 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, wherever you may be.

Who is eligible?
All AFT members, either actively employed or on a leave of absence, are eligible to receive this benefit.

Do members in merge states (New York, Florida, Minnesota, Montana and North Dakota) and merged locals have access to this program?
Yes

I am a member from Puerto Rico. What about me?
Working members from Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) educators are all covered by this benefit. Retired members and those who pay a fee for service (agency fee payers) are not eligible for this coverage.

I thought I already had this benefit.
No, this is an additional and unique benefit beyond any provided by your insurance, employer, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or Workman’s Compensation.

What does this cost?
There is no cost to you; it is an AFT-paid benefit for eligible members.

What is covered, and when?
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 if you are infected, injured or traumatized by a disease during a major disaster.

Coverage 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.

Does the traumatic incident have to occur at work to be eligible to receive the benefit?
No. Your coverage is much broader than your employment, as detailed in the previous question. Some incidents are specific to the workplace, others are broader.

How do I sign up? How can I trust that this service is confidential?
You do not have to sign up for the service until you need it. Members will gain access to the program through the AFT Member Benefits portal. This requires registration with a Member ID; after that, you will work directly with the provider. AFT member verification is an internal AFT function; there is no computer or data connection to any employer.

Am I required to produce a police report of an assault or incident?
Depending on the nature of the traumatic incident, you may be required to provide either a Workplace Incident Report (either one you submitted to your employer or through your local union), or a police report as part of your claim for benefits.

Is this different from an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
Yes, the counselors in this program have all received specialized training in post-traumatic care. The benefit offers up to 21 hours 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.

What if I don’t have access to a computer?
Please call the program’s toll-free number 1-855-631-1421 to speak with an authorized representative about different ways to access this form of therapy.

If I use trauma counseling, can I also receive benefits from Worker’s Compensation, my employer and/or counseling through my insurance?
Yes, this trauma benefit is an addition to those benefits mentioned above.

Is trauma from contracting the Coronavirus disease covered?
Yes, the Coronavirus disease is a covered incident if contracted while at work. A workplace incident report from your workplace or your union which verifies workplace exposure to Coronavirus will be required.

When is this benefit not available?
Coverage ends if you are no longer an AFT member actively employed or on leave of absence.

Do I need to enroll?
Working AFT members are automatically enrolled.

Is there a waiting period?
No. Once you successfully register at the AFT member portal, you are immediately eligible to receive this benefit.

How do I find a therapist who is covered by the Trauma Counseling benefit?
You don’t have to find a therapist. The Trauma Counseling program will connect you. It has identified high-performing therapists across the U.S. Each is licensed, has earned a Masters’ or higher degree; is trained in post-traumatic incident mental health care and has undergone an extensive background check.

What if I don’t have time to see a counselor?
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.

What if I don’t seek trauma counseling right after an incident?
Trauma Counseling can be provided within one (1) year from the date of a covered incident. Counseling must be completed within one year following an incident.  

Do I have to be an AFT member to get access to this program?
Yes. This program is exclusively for AFT members who are actively employed or on leave.

Can I extend my coverage and/or add my family?
Yes, the insurer also offers a long term, comprehensive trauma care program, available for purchase.   AFT members pay a substantially reduced cost for this coverage, which includes recovery care, income replacement, a death benefit and as well as family coverage. For details, visit aft.org/members-only and click on the Trauma Coverage portal or call Trauma Coverage toll-free at 1-855-631-1421.

Where can I find more information about the paid trauma coverage benefit?
You can learn more at the Trauma Coverage website, accessible through the portal at www.aft.org/members-only, or call Trauma Coverage toll-free at 1-855-631-1421.

For questions, please review our frequently asked questions. If you need further clarification, or would like to speak with an agent about enhancing your coverage and the benefits available, please fill out the form below or call us toll-free at 1-855-631-1421.