EAP started out in the 1950s, for the care of World War II veterans. It was not until the 1970s that it started to be applied to private industries. In 1971, the association of EAP professionals, forerunner of the present-day EAPA, was established in Los Angeles, U.S.A. The initial objective of the group was to provide aid to employees with problems related to alcoholism.

The development of EAP in the U.S. was strongly connected to the social problems of alcohol and drug abuse in the 1970s, and the effect it had on the fall in productivity of employees. Progressive organizations quickly adopted EAP, and after General Motors received an award in 1979 as a labor program achieving outstanding results, interest in EAP grew even further.

The 1980s saw the institionalization of CEAP (Certified EAP consultants) by EAPA, and the establishment of the EAP counselor as a profession. As a professional practicing EAP, a CEAP is required to fulfill the standards set by the Association, and to abide by strict ethical standards. Emphasis is put especially on protection of privileged information.

As of September 2002, EAPA has over 6,200 members, and 103 chapters. Most chapters are in the domestic U.S., but chapters exist in the U.K., Australia, Chile, and other countries as well, and in 2000, the Japanese chapter was established -- also the first representative organization of the association in Asia. At JEAP, its vice-chairperson and Japan's only CEAP is striving for the development of the EAP program, creation of new EAP professionals, and also to let more Japanese people become familiarized with the program.