Employee Assistance Training and Education
Employee Assistance offers workshops on a variety of issues either by request from departments or by open enrollment in classes. Topics include, but are not limited to: stress management, instant relaxation, and coping with transition/change.
Perinatal Support Group
When: 2nd Wednesday of each month from 12-1 pm via Zoom
Facilitated by Julie Resnik, LCSW , Employee Assistance Counselor
Navigate early parenthood with support! Our virtual group for expectant parents and parents of 0 - 2 year olds offers a safe space and community for sharing, gaining insights, and connection. Babies and non-birthing partners are always welcome.
To register and be included on bcal invites, please email: kpatchell@berkeley.edu
Monthly Meditation and Mindfulness for Faculty and Staff
The regular practice of mindfulness meditation has a demonstrable impact on psychological and physical health, improving mood, decreasing stress, strengthening the immune system, and supporting sleep.
Be Well at Work Employee Assistance and Work/Life invite faculty and staff to join us for a monthly meditation group which will offer a moment of relaxation and rejuvenation during the work day. Each month will focus on a beneficial intention to guide us.
No registration is required and no prior experience with meditation is necessary. All are welcome.
Virtually
- First Wednesday of the month at 12:15 - 12:45 pm
- Third Thursday of the month at 2 pm - 2:20 pm
If you would like these sessions added to your bCal for scheduling notifications and the Zoom link, please email kpatchell@berkeley.edu
Monthly BIPOC Support Group
Every 2nd Tuesday of the Month, 12 - 12:50 pm
Facilitated by Kiran Johl, LCSW. Employee Assistance Counselor
This virtual space is for faculty and staff to join together to explore BIPOC-related topics including workplace experiences, care for self and others, and mental health. Participants are encouraged to share as much or as little as they feel comfortable. Group is facilitated by an EA counselor, and participants are welcome to bring topics of interest to discuss.
Email kpatchell@berkeley.edu for registration, zoom link, and bCal Scheduling
ENROLLMENT
UC Berkeley and LBNL Faculty, Staff, Visiting Scholars, and Postdocs:
- Click on the “enroll” hyperlink to take you to the UCB Learning Center.
- Enter your CalNet Passphrase.
- Click "Submit."
All workshops listed below are being held virtually on Zoom.
Please email employeeassistance@berkeley.edu to submit accessibility needs for these events.
Spring 2026 Stress Management Workshops
Bringing Intention and Attention to Daily Life
Tuesday, January 27th, Noon - 1 pm via Zoom
Speaker: Kiran Johl, LCSW, Employee Assistance Counselor
In this new year, what would it look like to bring more attention and intention to your daily life? How would it feel to find ways to treat ourselves, others, and tasks with more intentional focus and awareness? This workshop seeks to address the common challenges of feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated, and overtired. While these experiences are not any individual’s fault, this workshop aims to offer strategies to decrease reactivity to the systems that influence us, and identifies ways to increase mindfulness, presence, and values-based decision-making in our personal and professional lives.
Fostering Connection in the Workplace
Thursday, March 5th, Noon - 1 pm via Zoom & In-Person at the Tang Center
Speaker: Julie Resnik, LCSW, Employee Assistance Counselor
This hybrid workshop provides actionable strategies to foster authentic, high-quality relationships and promote a genuine sense of belonging in both your professional and personal life. We will explore the modern experience of loneliness and isolation, examining its roots and identifying key personal and external barriers to connection. Participants will leave with practical skills and a personalized action plan designed to help them build deeper, more meaningful connections, leading to a more supportive, collaborative, and fulfilling life.
Identify and Shift Unhelpful Thinking Patterns
Tuesday, April 14th, 11 am - noon via Zoom
Speaker: Ainhoa indurain Torre, LCSW, Employee Assistance
If you have ever found yourself using too many “shoulds”, thought of your circumstances as "all or nothing" or had someone tell you that "you are catastrophizing", then you are not alone. It is very natural for all of us to experience these thoughts at times. However, sometimes these cognitive distortions can become pervasive and turn into a negative influence in our daily life. In this workshop we will identify these types of negative thinking patterns as well as find ways in which we can challenge them.
Stress Management and Neurodiversity
Wednesday, May 20th, noon - 1 pm via Zoom
Speaker: Stephanie Romney, PhD
This one-hour workshop focuses on strategies for managing workplace stress in the context of neurodiversity. The topics covered include ways to honor and support:
· Sensory needs: sensory-seeking vs. sensory-avoidance; stimming
· Interoception needs: differences in our ability to notice and respond to internal body cues for hunger, thirst, and rest
· Fluctuating capacity: natural differences in energy bursts and dips that may not align with a typical 8-hour workday
· The desire to present authentically vs. needing to mask for safety
This workshop is intended for neurodivergent individuals, as well as anyone interested in learning about stress management and/or working toward a more inclusive and neurodiversity-affirming workplace.
Workshop Topics by Request
Please contact us at (510) 643-7754 or email employeeassistance@berkeley.edu to request an Employee Assistance workshop for your department.
Topics include:
- Resilience
- Mindfulness and Stress Management
- Enhancing Focus and Productivity at Work
- Emotional Intelligence
- Creating Healthy Boundaries
- Healthy Habits
- Customized options to fit your department's needs
Elder Care Training and Education
The Elder Care program offers monthly educational workshops and webinars on topics related to elder care and caregiver resilience. The workshops are presented by professionals and experienced caregivers. These workshops are open to current UC Berkeley and LBL employees and generally take place on a weekday from 12:10-1:30 pm.