New Peer-to-Peer Service Aims to Provide Counseling Support

[nitpicker]

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=128857

New Peer-to-Peer Service Aims to Provide Counseling Support

By Terri Moon Cronk
DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2015 – Starting this summer, the Defense Department will offer an additional counseling service to help military service members, transitioning troops and family members deal with a host of issues before they become crises.

Peer-to-peer support, which will be available through Military OneSource, will offer assistance from counselors who have at least a master’s degree in the social or psychology field as well as military experience to help with a host of issues, Rosemary Freitas Williams, deputy assistant secretary of defense for military community and family policy, said yesterday. With that level of education and experience, Williams said, peer support counselors can chat confidentially with clients and assist with any underlying issues that might be associated with someone’s need to chat, online or by phone.
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Peer-to-peer counseling will be available for active duty, National Guard and reserve service members, their families and veterans who are within 180 days of their military separation, Williams said.

A client can talk to a peer-to-peer counselor via Military OneSource and, if issues necessitate, clients can receive a warm handoff to obtain up to 12 sessions with a clinical counselor, per issue, per person, Williams added.
(snip)

For transitioning service members who will soon re-enter the civilian sector, peer-to-peer counselors will offer their expertise during what might be a turbulent and life-changing time, Franklin said. “Whether someone is getting out as a young person or is retiring after 20-plus years, [transitioning] can be a stressful time,” she said. “So, for six months veterans can phone Military OneSource and get help.”
(snip)

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. I do hope that is effective

and that service members will take advantage of it.