KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Military life can create any number of challenges for service members and their families, which can only be made worse by being stationed overseas, away from friends and family.
The military has a variety of resources to military members and their families to help work through tough times. The Military Family Life Counselor program is one such resource.
“We have a commitment to take care of our Airmen and their families,” said Cathy Catling, 18th Force Support Squadron Child and Youth Services chief. “Everyone deserves a better life.”
According to Catling, the MFLC program provides confidential, non-medical, short-term counseling services. The main objective is to assist service members and their family members with circumstances occurring across the military life cycle and aim to enhance operational and family readiness.
“The stresses of military life are complex, requiring a wide range of problem solving skills,” stated Catling. “The counseling is supportive in nature and counselors address issues relevant to individual needs.”
The Kadena program provides 28 Masters or Ph.D. level licensed clinical counselors assigned to the Department of Defense Education Activity schools, Child and Youth Programs, the Airman and Family Readiness Center, and directly assigned to each 18th Wing group.
Catling explained the counselors provide support to individuals, couples, families and groups for a range of issues including, but not limited to, deployment stress, reintegration, relocation adjustment, separation, anger management, conflict resolution, parenting, parent-child communication, relationship and family issues, coping skills, homesickness, and grief and loss.
The MFLC services are otherwise confidential and/or private with the exception of mandated reports concerning child abuse or domestic abuse, with counselors having flexible work hours and meeting locations.
“Seeking help early helps to mitigate or reduce stress,” She said. “It’s okay to seek help.”
For more information about the MFLC program, the KAB mental health flight and other resources visit
https://www.kadena.af.mil/Agencies/Kadena-Medical-Clinic/Mental-Health-Clinic/Search/