The Foreign Service Journal, January-February 2016

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2016 27 cal record. ECS does not share information disclosed during counseling sessions with anyone for medical clearance or for security clearance purposes. When completing a secu- rity clearance application (SF-86), the correct response is “no” if the counseling is related to strictly marital, family or grief not related to violence by you; to adjustments from service in a military combat environment; or being the victimof sexual assault. In addition, 3-FAM 4166 (c) reads as follows: “To the extent permitted by law, information disclosed to staff of the ECS shall be considered privileged and not subject to disclosure in administrative and judicial proceedings.” The bottom line is that counseling through ECS is an inde- pendent procedure that does not directly engage medical or security clearance processes. Do I really need counseling? Life happens to everyone. No one is exempt. Everyone goes through difficult seasons and will experience stress, sadness, grief and conflict. When you are not feeling your best, it can be hard to know when to see a professional or whether you could benefit from some therapeutic intervention. You don’t have to handle your problems alone; the department offers resources. Any- thing that makes you feel overwhelmed or limits your ability to function can be addressed. An ECS clinician can offer a neutral, nonjudgmental space where people can process their thoughts and learn new strategies for addressing challenges. The earlier someone gets help, the easier it is to get through the problem. How can counseling help me? There are numerous benefits to participating in counseling. Counseling can help you to improve your mental well-being by enhancing problem-solving skills and promoting healthy coping strategies to manage anxiety, depression, relationship difficul- ties, grief, trauma and stress. Counseling can help you break unhelpful patterns; give you support and guidance; and suggest new ways to address parenting and family concerns, manage relationships and deal with marriage issues. Counseling can enhance your personal growth, helping you to develop skills to manage the stress and hassles of daily life. Counseling can help strengthen all of these domains in your life. Are my sessions confidential? Confidentiality is one of most important elements of our role as ECS counselors. The coun- seling relationship requires a high degree of trust because many topics are discussed in the counselor’s office that one would not freely or safely discuss elsewhere. ECS counselors maintain strict confidentiality (unless there is a danger to self or others, abuse or exploitation of a child or elderly adult, or a threat to national security—the feder- ally mandated exceptions). Confidentiality is extremely impor- tant to ECS clinicians. Am I required to take annual leave to receive ECS services? Members of the foreign affairs community and other direct- hire personnel are not required to utilize annual leave to engage in services provided by ECS. Excused absence may be granted from official duty for up to two hours to allow an employee to use the service of a counselor provided by the department (see 3 FAH-1H-3461.4, Consultation with Counselors). Does ECS provide services to members of the foreign affairs community overseas? The regional medical officer/psychiatrist in each region should be your first point of contact for all mental health related concerns. ECS can supplement services overseas on request. ECS offers face-to-face, telephonic and digital video teleconfer- encing (DVC) services both locally and overseas. ECS also offers onsite workplace visits and management consultations on a case-by-case basis. n Many people perceive seeking help as a personal weakness rather than an act of courage. The ECS team. Back row, from left: Paulette Baldwin, Kristin Scholl, Jackie Pouncy-Smith, Dr. Vivian Sheliga, Christiana Montimny, Johanna MacGillivray and Pollenetta Douglas. Seated, from left: Ellen Millner and Dr. Chantay White. COURTESYOFECS,U.S.STATEDEPARTMENT