Warning for Active-Duty Military Members

There’s a lie that the military establishment has been telling the public for years now, and most civilians believe it.

The lie is that the military cares about your mental health.

They talk about how important it is, how they need to do everything they can to support you, but then they put every obstacle in your path that makes it next to impossible – or dangerous to your career – to get the help you need.

Does it seem like I’m being a little harsh?

Here are some facts to consider:

Your confidentiality is limited on base.

When you go to counseling on base, your therapist is a government employee who is required to break your confidentiality in ways that I as a civilian therapist will never do. In fact, if I did, you could complain to the state and have my therapy license revoked.

Specifically, let’s say you mention to your military counselor that you and your spouse had too much to drink last weekend. You both let a stupid argument get out of hand, and it ended up getting physical.

The military counselor is required by the government to notify your commanding officer. You could face charges and be court-martialed; your civilian spouse could be criminally charged in federal court. At the very least, the incident will go on your permanent record.

Did you do anything in Iraq or Afghanistan that you wouldn’t want published on the front page of the Denver Post? Telling your military therapist about that could result in you being charged with a war crime.

Do you occasionally smoke weed? Yes, it’s legal in Colorado, but it’s still prohibited by Federal law. Tell your military counselor about it, test positive on a drug test, and your career could be over.

Problem with alcohol or drugs? Be aware that disclosing this issue with a military counselor could result in unintended consequences. On the bright side, you may be ordered into a treatment program to get the help you need. The letter of reprimand placed in your permanent file, however, could ruin your career.

Civilian therapists won’t rat you out.

When you go to a civilian therapist, your confidentiality is far more certain.

If you and your spouse get into a physical altercation, that’s confidential. I won’t report it. Not to your command. Not to police. Not to anyone. (More on this later.)

War crimes are confidential. Smoking weed is confidential. Drug and alcohol use and abuse are confidential. Past crimes are confidential.

Your attendance in therapy also is confidential.

What that means is you can talk to me to get the help you need without worrying about destroying your career or going to military prison.

What isn’t private:

Like all therapists, I am legally required to do my best to keep you and other people in your life safe from harm.

Specifically, I am a “mandated reporter.” I’m required by law to break confidentiality if you tell me that anyone under 18 has been abused in any way.

Also, if your children witness domestic violence in the home, that’s considered child abuse, which must be reported. (If the violence occurs when the children are outside the home, civilian therapists won’t report it. However, as stated above, military therapists will.)

There are similar reporting requirements for dependent adults and seniors.

In summary, let me summarize:

Benefits of going on base for counseling:

It’s free.

Benefits of going to a civilian therapist:

It’s far more confidential.

Your commanding officer, friends and subordinates won’t know.

There won’t be a record of your therapy in your military file.

You can get the help you need without military red tape.

With very few exceptions, nothing you say will risk your career.

You can attend sessions as often as you need rather than having to wait months for appointments.

If you don’t use insurance, you don’t need to receive a formal mental health diagnosis.

What the military doesn’t tell you:

In my experience, most active duty military members are unaware that they can go to a civilian counselor for treatment.

Yes, you do have a choice. You can go to a therapist off base if you want to.

The easiest way to do that is to pay out of pocket for your services, but it is possible (though can be difficult) to get a referral to be seen off base. This way, you can use Tricare insurance rather than paying yourself.

Am I the right therapist for you?

I accept Tricare insurance and, for those paying out of pocket for services, offer a substantial discount to active duty military members.

I hope this information has been helpful to you. If you have further questions, give me a call at 720.837.3466 for a free 20-minute phone consultation, fill out the contact form below or e-mail me.

Don’t wait another day. It’s your turn now. It’s time to heal.