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: What type of counseling is available in the 12 face-to-face sessions?
A:
The face-to-face counseling benefit addresses short-term non-medical concerns and is limited to 12 sessions per issue per counselor. It is not designed to address long-term issues such as child or spouse abuse, suicidal ideation, and mental health issues. People in need of long- term care are referred to a military treatment facility and/or TRICARE for services.
Military OneSource in-person counseling sessions are short-term, problem-resolution-focused sessions that deal with adjustment issues, work life topics and emotional well-being issues. Generally these have to do with improving relationships at home and at work, marital issues, grief and loss issues (normal reactions that would benefit from short-term support), adjusting to a change in situation (such as a return from deployment), and other issues that are not medically diagnosable where individuals would benefit from a face-to-face interaction.
Q: How will a Military OneSource consultant arrange for local face-to-face counseling sessions?
A:
Military OneSource uses a nationwide network of counselors. During the 15-20 minute telephone assessment, the consultant will provide a counselor that best matches the needs of the caller. Generally, counselors are located within 15 to 30 minutes of the caller. Callers are provided with all necessary contact details and encouraged to connect with the local counselor as soon as possible.
Q: How does a person connect with a counselor for face-to-face sessions?
A:
The person seeking face-to-face counseling will first contact the OneSource consultant by the telephone. The consultant will ask questions and have a conversation with the caller to determine whether face-to-face counseling is the most appropriate referral. Following this assessment process, if the consultant determines that this level of service is appropriate, the consultant will authorize up to 12 sessions and provide the caller with contact information for a provider in their community. The consultant may offer to do a three-way call with the person and the counselor to begin scheduling the first session.
Q: How long is the authorization for face-to-face counseling valid?
A:
The authorization for face-to-face counseling sessions is valid for 30 days. If the sessions are not initiated within 30 days, the person will need to make another phone call to a Military OneSource consultant and begin the process again.
Q: Who is eligible?
A:
The sessions are available at no cost to active-duty, Guard, and Reserve members (regardless of activation status) and families located in the continental U.S. Up to 12 counseling sessions per issue, per calendar year are allowed for each person.
Q: Can a family member obtain counseling sessions without the service member’s knowledge? If so, what if the family member uses all the sessions before the sponsor has the opportunity to use them?
A:
Yes, a family member or a legal guardian of a service member’s dependents can obtain counseling sessions without the service member’s knowledge. The sessions are per person, per issue, per counselor, so it is not possible for a family member to “use up” sessions. The service member is still eligible.
Q: What happens after the 12 sessions are completed?
A:
The user becomes financially responsible for any ongoing sessions related to this particular issue. The counselor can help find other resources, including community services, installation services, or TRICARE if appropriate.
Q: What sort of follow-up will there be with Military OneSource after a referral to face-to-face counseling?
A:
Generally, follow-up by the Military OneSource consultant is within seven business days after the referral to the counselor. The consultant will check with the user to see if appointments have been made and to confirm the user’s satisfaction with the counselor. The user will be given the opportunity to provide feedback by an e-mail survey, an interactive voice-response system, or a direct call to the consultant.
Q: Can counselors be trusted not to report to commanders?
A:
Military OneSource stands by its commitment not to release information about users of this service. However, privacy does not extend to issues of child abuse, spouse abuse, elder abuse, or threats of harm to self or others.
Q: Are these counseling sessions free?
A:
These sessions are prepaid by the Department of Defense as a part of the Military OneSource contract and there are no out-of-pocket expenses to the service member or family member.
Q: Is there a limit to the number of counseling sessions?
A:
Yes. The counseling sessions are limited to 12 sessions, per issue, and per counselor. If you need to see a counselor for a different issue, you must speak with a Military OneSource consultant to receive authorization for that issue. The consultant will help you find a different counselor.