Telephonic Counseling - Category Questions
Q: Is this counseling confidential?
A:
The information you provide to counselors is kept confidential, except to meet legal obligations or to prevent harm to self or others. Legal obligations include requirements of law and DoD or military regulations. Harm to self or others includes suicidal thought or intent, a desire to harm oneself, domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, violence against any person, and any present or future illegal activity. All counseling adheres to the same informed consent, privacy, and reportable-event protocols. A family member may seek counseling without the knowledge or consent of the service member. A Military OneSource consultant can explain the limits of confidentiality in more detail.
Q: How do I find out more?
A:
Call Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647 (CONUS), 800-342-9647 or 703-253-7599 (OCONUS). For more information on calling Military OneSource from overseas visit www.militaryonesource.mil and click the "Contact Us" link at the upper right of the page. A consultant can provide more details on telephonic counseling and discuss your options with you.
Q: Are duty-to-warn issues reported?
A:
Yes. Telephonic counseling will adhere to the same informed consent, Confidentiality/Privacy, and reportable-event protocols outlined in Military OneSource Policies and Procedures. See Privacy/Reportable Issues for more information.
Q: Who is eligible?
A:
Those eligible to receive Military OneSource services are eligible to receive telephonic counseling. Military OneSource is available anytime worldwide to all active duty, Reserve, National Guard members (regardless of activation status), and their families as well as deployed civilians and their families.
Q: When is telephonic counseling not appropriate?
A:
Because this method of counseling is provided over the phone, it is not appropriate for children under the age of 18, complex issues, and situations that require a group setting (couples and family counseling). Other issues that exceed the scope of this counseling include drug, alcohol, and other addictions; mental health conditions that require medical treatment (post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, etc.); and other conditions related to trauma. Telephonic counseling is not appropriate as part of a patient’s Medical Treatment Facility discharge plan.
Q: Is telephonic counseling replacing in-person counseling?
A:
No. They are being added to increase access to support. While referrals to non-medical in-person counseling sessions continue for those stationed in United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, telephonic counseling provides an option for those who are unable to attend in-person counseling sessions due to their overseas location or other circumstances.
Q: What kinds of issues may be addressed through telephonic counseling?
A:
Telephonic counseling may help individuals resolve short-term issues such as adjustment to situational stressors, stress management, decision making, communication, grief, blended-family issues, and parenting-skills issues.
Q: How does this type of counseling work?
A:
To initiate telephonic counseling, the service member or family member (SM/FM) should contact Military OneSource by phone to determine if their issue is appropriate. Following a brief screening, the initial consultation will be scheduled and a telephonic counseling specialty consultant will call the SM/FM at the scheduled time for a 50-minute session. Subsequent sessions will be scheduled with the SM/FM and the specialty consultant following the initial call.