There is a phone number on the military one source website to call, and they will talk you through everything. They may do an intake over the phone to help assess your situation and make sure you go to the right type of counselor in your area (grief, relationship, what have you).
I think they give you like 6 or 8 sessions with a counselor for free, nothing goes on Tricare. If you need more than that, they they can refer you to someone else (though it may involve Tricare at that point, depending on what you need).
I have found working with them to be SUPER easy, and it's an awesome benefit that more people should use. I mean -- free counseling? I don't know many people who couldn't benefit from that. If you need more (psychiatric care or just more counseling) then they will work with you to get you what you need.
We used it once. I called the number I found online and they put me on the phone with a live agent to take my info (be ready when you call to provide a brief reason of why you are calling. I didn't know they would ask when I called and felt a little weird about not being prepared for that question). Then she found the closest therapist near us and set the appointment up for us. When our appointment came we didn't need to bring or do anything, it was really easy. We only saw her about 3 times, but it was a great resource and they literally couldn't have made it any easier.
I don't believe they use psychiatrist, and it isn't used for long term issues like alcoholism, anxiety, etc. but more for dealing with rough patches.
Post by basilosaurus on Jun 29, 2012 3:24:39 GMT -5
The people who pick up are trained and good.
Unfortunately the people they contact with aren't so awesome. I had calls into at least a half dozen contacts none of whom called me back. I don't know the solution, but I've been incredibly disappointed by mil one source.
Post by misshark122 on Jun 29, 2012 10:18:25 GMT -5
I just wanted to let you guys know, not that any of you need to know this, but, if you report any kind of physical incident to them - like pushing between you and husband, or something like that - they report it to the family advocacy center on base and a case gets opened, command gets notified and involved, etc. I work for the family advocacy program and I just found this out. Thought it was pretty crazy! I had no idea.
H and I used them (together over the phone when he was overseas, then separately with counselors face-to-face, then I started attending sessions with him), for a total of three different counselors and we both give the service two thumbs up.
The people who answer the phones were great. We don't have any counselors in their network up here, but they were able to do "single client contracts" to get us the help we need. They touched base with me every two days or so while they were trying to work all that out.
We each got 12 sessions with our counselors.
This was my experience, as well. Loved my counselor and always looked forward to my appointments. I got my 12 free sessions. Then they evaluate the situation and decided whether to continue doing it for free or charge a small fee. I never paid anything for the almost yr and a half I went (every week for 2 months, every other week or about 2 months, then every 2 months for a few months, then at the end right when I left exH it was twice a week). This has been the case with a couple friends I know. Good luck:)
I have, and I had a great experience. Granted, they basically referred my to my PCM to get a referral to see someone for anxiety, but I was able to talk to them for a few calls until the doctor could get me in.