King County Department of Human Resources is excited to announce the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has expanded! EAP supports employees by providing free, confidential counseling on work-related issues. We all experience stress at some point and having someone to talk to can be a helpful outlet to process emotions, navigate challenging situations or provide tangible recommendations on actions to take. EAP can help with:

• Workplace stress
• Counseling, coaching, and consulting
• Conflict with co-workers
• Support for Supervisors and Human Resources
• Mental health

EAP is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To make an appointment, contact 206-263-8733 or HRDEAP@kingcounty.gov.

Meet the EAP counselors

Tee Lovelace (they/them)

What are three words that best describe you? Advocate, empathetic, funny

When did you start with King County EAP and what were you doing before? August 2021, I was a mental health therapist at a community mental health agency

What’s your favorite thing about working with King County employees as an EAP counselor? I get to hold space for my clients to be their most authentic selves.

What do you like to do for your own self-care? Spending time with my family and friends, reading (mostly fiction), and getting in my Oculus (VR) headset for a good workout or gameplay.

What was the last show you binge watched and loved? The Flash – I may or may not believe that we live in a multiverse and have alternate selves living different lives. To see that in action brings me so much joy!

If you could take a week off from regular life to immerse yourself in learning something new, what would it be? I would learn how to master making gluten free desserts. I mean, multi-layered cakes, ice cream, ice cream cakes, all the yumminess!

What’s a fun fact about you that we wouldn’t know otherwise? I make up and sing random songs throughout the day.

Katrina Ryan (She/Her)

What are three words that best describe you? Adventurous, Empathic, Communitive

When did you start with King County EAP and what were you doing before? I began working as an EAP Counselor in August of 2021. Prior to EAP I was working for Jail Health Services through Public Health.

What’s your favorite thing about working with King County employees as an EAP counselor? Being an EAP Counselor is incredibly rewarding because you get to support individuals as they strive to further their careers, learn new skills and work toward personal goals.

What do you like to do for your own self-care? For self-care I always set time aside to do something active and outdoors.

What’s your favorite season and why? My favorite season is Winter because I enjoy the crisp air, skiing and prefer the cold.

If you could take a week off from regular life to immerse yourself in learning something new, what would it be? I would love to learn how to work on bicycles. I enjoy riding bikes but haven’t had time to learn how to maintain and do my own upkeep.

What’s a fun fact about you that we wouldn’t know otherwise? In my spare time I like to do wood working projects.

Evie Lewis-McNeil (she/her)

What are three words that best describe you? Curious, collaborative, spirited

When did you start with King County EAP and what were you doing before? I started at King County as an EAP counselor in August 2021. Before coming to King County, I worked as a therapist at Seattle Counseling Service, serving the LGBTQIA+ community.

What’s your favorite thing about working with King County employees as an EAP counselor? I love working with employees from every department across King County, and that I get to learn about the diverse and incredibly important work that you all do.

What do you like to do for your own self-care? It’s important to me to balance having alone time to recharge and also having social time to connect with people close to me. I spend as much time outside as I can, regardless of the season.

What was the last book you read and loved? I recently read In the Dreamhouse by Carmen Maria Machado and was moved by it.

If you could take a week off from regular life to immerse yourself in learning something new, what would it be? I would love to learn ASL! And also how to make pottery on a wheel– I find myself craving doing things with my hands.

What’s a fun fact about you that we wouldn’t know otherwise? I’m a great karaoke cheerleader—I can’t carry a tune, but I love watching my friends sing.