Who would I contact on a military base for marriage counseling?

Question

My husband and I are both active duty, and in our 1st year of marriage still. Whom would I talk with for some outside adivice? Chaplin, ACS, anything? Thanks! I'd like to keep our chain of command out of this, only because they're all nosey and put out everyone's business.

Answer 1

I'm not sure what branch you're in.  But I know some branches have marriage counseling available through the psych clinic.

Answer 2

Within the military you would go to the Chaplin.

Or if you have a church that you attend off post you could see if your pastor offers marriage counseling. But I see your in Germany so your best option is your Chaplin.

Married for 12 years to my soldier :-) Hang in there things will get better...you are on the right track.

Answer 3

As a couple in Germany, you can go through the onpost mental health service. Unless you are stationed in a very small, remote camp there will be a mental health provider in your immediate area.

Feel free to contact me at this email address, and I can help you find the correct DSN number for whichever post you are currently assigned. Alternatively, either of you can use the onbase operator, ask for the mental health clinic, and tell the person at the front desk there you need to make an appointment with a marriage counselor.

The military has some truly excellent counselors with years of experience dealing with all sorts of difficult problems. Chances are they can help you and your husband work through your issues.

Answer 4

In the AF, we have mental health (was mental health, then life skills, then mental health again).  What you tell mental health is confidential to a point. . . you commander can access your records but he or she has to have a good reason.  They can't just call up and review your records on a whim.  

If you want total confidentiality, see the chaplain.  

Answer 5

I agree...go with the chaplain.  

Answer 6

The base chaplain actually is the only confidential source, army therapists and the like as well as the resource center if you have one has to tell you commander any and all if the commander asks. The chaplin does not. The chaplins are trained to be multidenominational and will often leave religion out of it completely and just be a sympathetic ear. I think he/she might be your best bet

Answer 7

Go to the Chaplin.  

Answer 8

Militaryonesource.com

You can access counselors through there and you are authorized a certain number of sessions with that counselor.  The only thing that military will know is that you are receiving counseling.  They will not know why or what issues you are having.

Yikes!  Just saw that you are in Germny.  I would still try onesource.  They may have some contract folks that they use.  I know they do here in the UK.  

Next step would be Chaplain or Family Advocacy or Mental Health.  All are bound by privacy laws to not disclose what is going on in counseling.  It may be noted in your medical records that you received counseling, but not why.  And your chain of command has no reason to have access to any of this, as it YOUR choice and not ordered by your superiors to seek counseling.

Good luck!!

Answer 9

Go find a civilian.  The cost is not that bad and that way you can pick someone best for you and what you need, as well as close to home etc.  If not, you can go to the counselors on base together.  You might have to get an appt for just you but then bring your husband.  I have not done that but my friend and her husband have been getting counseling for a while now and she just does it through her therapist.  

I didn't know you were in a different country.  I was just saying that my friend went through the psychiatry department at our Naval hospital and that is who they have been seeing.  It is confidential too unless you tell them something that breaks the law.

Answer 10

The Chaplain is a good start, as is any mental health resource at your base, as is the Civilian option. Good Luck.

Answer 11

If you want to keep it hush hush than go to social work services. Check your post directory. The chaplain will likely tell the coc.