Life consultant program gains popularity

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Life consultant program gains popularity
By Charlie Reed, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Anonymity is a driving factor behind the popularity of a new Air Force service meant to help stressed-out airmen, family members and civilians.

U.S. Air Forces Europe introduced the Military Family Life Consultant program at 12 bases in September. The Department of Defense-sponsored initiative gives people access to certified behavioral health professionals without the visits being documented in their official military health records.

The only exceptions to the confidentiality policy are cases of suspected child or spousal abuse, sexual assault or the possibility of an individual harming himself or others.

“Just having someone outside the chain of command, outside the formal process, is convenient for them,” said Deborah Laskiewicz, director of the Airman and Family Readiness Center at RAF Mildenhall, England.

The base has seen participation rise sharply, up from about four per week in the fall to between 32 and 36 per week now, Laskiewicz said.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=52826