Address That Stress

Counseling services through Military OneSource and the Military and Family Life Counseling Program are confidential.

That means a service member can receive counseling without it being reported to command, and without a family member’s knowledge.

And eligible family members, or the legal guardian of a service member’s dependents, can use non-medical counseling sessions without the service member’s knowledge.

Learn more about eligibility and confidentiality in the article Understanding Confidential Non-medical Counseling Services.

Information disclosed during a non-medical counseling session is confidential. It will not impact your career or your spouse’s career in any way. Your information will NOT be:

• Provided to the military or chain of command
• Shared with family or friends
• Released to other agencies

Be aware that there are three situations that legally require counselors to break confidentiality: When there’s abuse, illegal activity or a threat of harm. In these instances, the chain of command could become involved.

Short-term counseling services can address a wide range of issues from relationship conflicts and stress management to coping with grief and deployment adjustments. It can be an effective
way to find answers to common emotional and interpersonal difficulties.

Learn more about the topics short-term counseling does and doesn’t cover in the article Understanding Confidential Non-medical Counseling Services.

Non-medical counseling DOESN’T address certain issues, including:

• Active suicidal or homicidal thoughts
• Sexual assault
• Child abuse or domestic violence
• Alcohol and substance abuse
• Diagnosed mental health conditions such as PTSD

Services are NOT suitable for individuals who are:

• Receiving therapy with another practitioner
• Involved in an open Family Advocacy Program case
• Undergoing fitness-for-duty evaluations
• Undergoing court-ordered counseling

If you or someone you know needs help with one of these challenges, contact the Military Crisis Line at 988, then press 1, or access online chat by texting 838255.

For other stressors – relationships, stress management, PCS or personal finances – we’re here to help. To learn more and find appropriate sources of support for a range of issues, read the article Understanding Confidential Non-medical Counseling Services.

Non-medical counseling services and specialty consultations are available to:

• Active-duty service members and their immediate family members—including spouses, children and teens. Children ages 6-12 may attend confidential non-medical counseling sessions with a parent or caregiver present. This is considered a family session. For youth ages 13-17, a parent or caregiver must be available at the start of each counseling session to give consent.
• National Guard and reserve service members (regardless of activation status) and their immediate family members
• Survivors
• Transitioning veterans and families within a year of service

Learn more about eligibility for groups like cadets, disabled veterans and civilian employees of the Department of Defense in the article Eligibility for Military OneSource.

All counselors have a master’s or doctoral degree in a mental health field and a license to practice independently. Many are trained in military considerations. Learn more about the process for different methods of support:

• Chat based counseling: What You Need to Know About Online, Chat-Based Counseling
• Counseling by telephone: Confidential, Telephonic Non-medical Counseling FAQs
• Face-to-face counseling: Free, Confidential Face-to-Face Non-medical Counseling
• Video counseling: 10 Things to Know About Confidential, Video Non-medical Counseling