MFLC offers non-medical counseling support

The Department of Defense provides confidential, short-term non-medical counseling to service members and their families for up to 12 sessions per person, per issue at no cost.

Non-medical counseling helps to prevent the development or exacerbation of lifestyle conditions that may compromise military and family readiness. Non-medical counseling does not address such issues as active suicidal or homicidal thoughts, Family Advocacy Program cases, sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, or alcohol or substance abuse.

Military and family life counselors (MFLC) possess a master’s or doctorate degree in a mental health field and are licensed or certified in the state in which they provide services.

Eligibility

All active-duty, National Guard and Reserve service members, Coast Guard members (when activated as part of the Department of the Navy under Title 10 authority), civilian expeditionary workforce members (when deployed and 90 days prior and 180 days post-deployment), Individual Ready Reserve, and all their immediate family members are eligible regardless of activation status. Additionally, all service members and their immediate family members transitioning out of the military (by honorable discharge or retirement for up to 180 days past their separation date), survivors (non-remarried spouses and their children) are eligible for the service too.

Services

MFLC’S provide the following services, free of charge, to military service members, spouses, military family members and service member’s children in Child and Youth programs:

Improving communication; self-esteem/self-confidence; resolving conflicts; stress management techniques; helping children deal with angry feelings; sibling/parental relationships; deployment and reintegration issues; parenting coaching and child behavior modification.

Face-to-face sessions

A traditional 50-minute, confidential, face-to-face non-medical counseling session is available by appointment. These sessions are in an office setting with a Military OneSource provider located in the community within 30 minutes of the client.

MFLC’s are accessible while on assignments up to 180 days and at the following locations:

At Military and Family Support Centers, Child Development Centers, youth and teens programs, schools and youth summer programs; embedded within military units; in targeted “surge” locations for up to 90 days for units with emerging issues such as planned and unplanned events, military contingencies, natural disasters or crises, and deployment related issues; At on-demand events for 1-3 days to support pre-deployment, deployment and reintegration events for National Guard and reserve members and their families.

Limits of confidenciality

Information you provide to MFLC counselors will be 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 include suicidal thoughts or intent, a desire to harm oneself, domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, violence against any person, and any present or future illegal activity.

Program availability

The NASCC MFLC is located at the Child Development Center. Services are available from Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. MFLC’s provide individual sessions, couples, family sessions, and other non-medical counseling sessions as needed. You can call at any time: 254-278-9830.

Additional information is available at Military OneSource at http://www.militaryonesource.mil/non-medical-counseling or (800)342-9647, or at https://supportrequest.militaryonesource.mil/Site/RequestMgt/OnDemandRequest/Create.