MFLCs offer services at Schriever

BY Kaitlynn Davis
50th Space Wing Public Affairs

7/23/2015 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Located in the Airman and Family Readiness Center and the Child Development Center, Military and Family Life Counselors are ready to help service members and their families cope with stressors involved with military life. The services they offer extend much farther than the building doors.

Counselors strive to give non-medical counseling, providing situational and solution-oriented assistance to Airmen, their families, couples and groups affiliated with the military. MFLCs create short-term solutions instead of building a longer-term relationship, as one would with a traditional counselor.  They also offer more flexible services, such as being able to meet those seeking help outside of the office.

Cheryl Jensen, an A&FRC community readiness specialist, offered examples such as meeting on base, downtown, at the library, or a coffee shop.

"Utilize [the MFLC]. It's an awesome program and you can talk to her about anything." Jensen said.

Counseling covers areas such as conflict resolution and anger management, parenting, deployment stress and more. Services are confidential with no records kept, and reaching out will be kept private except in cases of danger or abuse. The counselors rotate every six months from the base, further protecting confidentiality.

The program at Schriever has two specially certified counselors working closely with A&FRCs to adapt strategies specifically to Air Force members and families. Counselors are highly qualified, having attained either a Master's or Doctorate level license.

Andrea Hernandez, an A&FRC community readiness consultant added, "We like our MFLCs. So far the ones we've had here at Schriever have been really good at what they do. They are all well educated in their field, and I think it is just a good resource."

Military affiliated community members and children can seek specialized help by either visiting the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Child Development Center or anonymously calling the A&FRC for the counselor's phone number.

For more information, contact the A&FRC at 567-3920 or visit the Schriever Air Force Base A&FRC web page and select the Life Skills tab.