What To Know About Online, Chat-Based Non-medical Counseling

Can’t make it to a face-to-face counseling session? No worries. Military OneSource offers free, confidential non-medical counseling via secure online chat. No matter where you’re stationed, you have access to the support you need. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, experts are ready to help you tackle challenges of military and family life.

Here is what you need to know about confidential, online, chat-based non-medical counseling.

How does free non-medical online counseling work via secure chat?

• Online non-medical counseling via secure chat involves a real-time conversation between you and the counselor using instant messaging.
• Counselors are professionals with a master’s or doctoral degree (in psychology, counseling, social work or marriage and family counseling) and a license to practice independently in the state/territory where services are received.
• Eligible participants are entitled to 12 sessions per issue, per calendar year. The length of each online session varies based on the discussion. If you need more support after that, call a Military OneSource consultant to see how we can support or help you access other resources, including community services, installation services or TRICARE, if appropriate.

• Sessions are available free of charge to active-duty, National Guard and reserve members of any activation status, their immediate family members and survivors. See full eligibility guidelines.
• Online, chat-based non-medical counseling is not available for minors; however, children and teenagers ages 6-17 can attend non-medical counseling sessions via online video. A parent or caregiver of children ages 6-12 must be present during these video sessions, which are considered family sessions. For youth ages 13-17, a parent or caregiver must be available at the start of each video session to give consent.
• The sessions are completely confidential. The only exceptions to confidentiality are legal and military requirements to report child abuse, spouse abuse, elder abuse, threats of harm to self or others, and any present or future illegal activity.
• See Understanding Confidential Non-medical Counseling Services for a list of topics addressed in online, chat-based sessions.
• Military OneSource uses state-of-the-art technology to securely transfer information over the internet. However, you’re responsible for keeping your location private and your email and passwords secure. The confidentiality of your chat-based conversations or the privacy of your location can’t be guaranteed.
• Non-medical counseling is also available to eligible service members and their immediate family via secure online video, telephone or in-person.

The Military OneSource non-medical online counseling service allows you to work with a counselor from the comfort of your home or anywhere in the world. A perfect option for service members and their families stationed overseas and in remote locations, the chat-based sessions permit you to develop life skills and address challenges on your schedule and with flexibility.

To get started, call 800-342-9647, make an online request for a consultation, or live chat with us. OCONUS/International? View calling options.