Is it independent of my employer?

Employers usually affiliate to Employee Counselling Service which means they pay for the service based on the number of employees to be covered.   Employers do this because they think it is a useful benefit in attracting and retaining employees.  They also expect a benefit to the organisation because employees who are anxious and worried are likely to be less effective in their work or become ill.    The counsellor and helpline advisers are not working for the employer they are working in the interest of the employee who contacts them.