Employee Assistance Program

LifeMatters by Empathia

The employee assistance program (EAP) is designed to provide professional assistance to state faculty, staff and their families (dependents and permanent household members) in assessing and resolving personal problems that may be affecting well-being or job performance. LifeMatters offers a wide array of health solutions focused on promoting individual and organizational well-being, providing work/life resources and educational webinars/seminars for employees.

Benefits include:

  • 24/7 telephone assessment/counseling 
  • Access to MyLifeMatters (please reach out to Payroll and Benefits to obtain phone number or the campus specific password)
  • 6 free in-person counseling sessions with a local counselor
  • Work/life resources and referrals
  • Financial consultation with a certified financial counselor
  • Legal consultation with an attorney
  • Smoking Cessation Program
  • Access to Spanish-speaking counselors
  • And more…

Eligible Employees and Dependents

Current Sonoma State faculty, staff, and management employees are eligible for Empathia's services.

All persons who reside with the employee (non-roomers) are eligible for services. This includes:

  • the lawful spouse
  • dependent children, up to age twenty-six (26), irrespective of the dependent's place of residence, marital, financial, or student status
  • any spouse/former spouse who does not permanently reside with the employee and is ordered by the court that coverage be provided is also eligible

How to Access Services

Visit MyLifeMatters (please reach out to Payroll and Benefits to obtain the phone number or campus specific password

General questions can be forward to the Payroll and Benefits Office at 707-664-2793 or payroll@sonoma.edu.

The Specialized Health Care Service Plan Contract Amendatory Rider for AB 457 and the Combined Evidence of Coverage and Disclosure Form Amendatory Rider for AB 457 have been added to the LifeMatters website: https://members2.mylifematters.com/portal/welcome/sso. ​Members may download this rider by logging into the member website and clicking on the "Combined Evidence of Coverage and Disclosure Rider" at the footer of the site to ensure they are provided with timely notice of their rights. Members can also request a hard copy by writing to “Member Services: Empathia Pacific 5234 Chesebro Road, Suite 201, Agoura Hills, CA 91301.”