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To receive FREE and confidential counseling
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To not be charged or have your insurance billed for Give an Hour® sessions
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To understand how your or your loved one’s experiences are affecting your personal life and relationships
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To learn ways of coping
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To be referred appropriately if you need additional services (such as medications)
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To be in a safe environment where you can talk about your deepest fears and concerns
Client’s are eligible for Give an Hour services if you have served for the U.S. Military for any length of time, with any branch, and any active, reserve or discharge status -or- you consider yourself a loved one of someone who has served in the U.S. military and you are experiencing a service related (or post-service related) concern.
Give an Hour welcomes fully licensed providers from any field of study and practice with medical malpractice insurance eligible to provide mental health services in U.S. states and territories.
Step 1: Search for a Provider
Using the search form, answer a few questions to receive a list of providers who may be able to assist you.
Choose from a variety of options including in-person, telephone support, or video counseling. While it’s common in the mental health community to meet in the provider’s office, it may not be feasible for everyone. If you are unable to meet with a provider in-person, we encourage the use of telephone support or video counseling. A provider will rely on his or her professional judgment to determine when an alternate method of contact will sufficiently meet your needs. NOTE: If you are unable to locate a provider in your area and do not feel comfortable with phone support or video counseling, please contact us at info@giveanhour.org for assistance.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all services will be provided via telephone or telemental health to abide by social distancing guidelines. Leave the “Type of Support” field blank to render the most results
Step 2: Contact the Provider Directly
Identify yourself as a potential Give an Hour client, even if you leave a voicemail.
- Mention Give an Hour: Tell the provider you are a Give an Hour client at the beginning of your call, email or voicemail.
- Leave a Message: Even if the provider’s voicemail states they are not accepting new clients, some providers hold openings just for GAH clients.
- Call Again: Messages can be hard to understand or accidentally erased. If you have not heard back in a reasonable amount of time, consider calling again. Be sure to leave your name, number and email address.
- Contact more than one provider. If you have not received an appointment after your first call, consider calling another provider on your search results. Often people contact several providers before finding one who is a good match for their needs.
- Be prepared: Make sure your voicemail is set up and not full for when the provider returns your call.
- Try email: Providers spend much of their day with clients. Consider using their email or their website’s “Contact Us” section to make contact.
- Let us know: If you can’t reach a Give an Hour® provider using their contact information on our website, let us know at info@giveanhour.org, and we will update our database.
I’m not sure what type of counseling I need. How do I find a provider?
If you are unsure of what type of counseling would be best for your personal situation, we recommend a broad search of all types of providers. Choose one that meets your travel needs and reach out to them. If they are unable to help, they can recommend a different search criteria or help you find a better fit.
Do I need to fill out an application?
You do not need to fill out an application or register with Give an Hour in any way. However, your Give an Hour provider will ask for your contact information as part of their intake process. This information will be kept confidential. Give an Hour invites you to submit our optional client survey to help us understand who needs (and uses) our services.
What if the provider I have found is not the right fit for me?
We encourage our clients and providers to work together to determine if they are a good match for each other. If at any time the two of you determine it is not a good fit, please feel free to use our Provider Search Tool to locate another provider.
I have insurance, can I still use Give an Hour?
Yes, you can. Many of those who use Give an Hour services have insurance but have chosen not to use it for a variety of reasons.
The provider I contacted never responded, what can I do?
If you are still having trouble connecting, please e-mail us at info@giveanhour.org.
How many sessions am I required to donate as a Give an Hour provider?
You have agreed to volunteer with Give an Hour for one hour per week for one year. You may have a client for all of your volunteer hours, or you may choose to use your hours conducting outreach, training or other volunteer activities.
Do I need to fill out any forms or report to you that I have a Give an Hour client?
Give an Hour collects minimal information regarding provider volunteerism on our quarterly provider survey, which you will receive via email. You may be asked to submit generalized information, but at no time are you asked to share details regarding any client in the Give an Hour program.
Does Give an Hour provide training on topics such as post-traumatic stress, or teletherapy?
Give an Hour has collected several free available resources that can be accessed here.
Can I see clients from more than just the military program?
Yes, Give an Hour providers are welcome to serve in all of our long term and short term programming. Please update your provider profile with your population interests so we can best connect you.
I have a colleague who would be a great fit for this program. What’s the best way to connect them?
Here are some tips on helping Give an Hour recruit mental health professionals. You can also direct them to the registration page.
“We have taken advantage of the Give an Hour opportunity and we are turning over a new leaf as a family! I love my husband again and find renewed joy and greater patience as he works through his disabilities. Thank You!”
Our Expectations of Give an Hour Providers
Give an Hour providers are licensed mental health professionals who have agreed to provide services in their areas of expertise. They donate one hour per week for a minimum of one year (for military programs) to provide mental health support at no charge to eligible Give an Hour clients. We do not prescreen mental health professionals who join our network. We do verify that they are licensed and in good standing in their stated profession. We expect you to take all precautions to ensure that your relationship with a provider is safe and successful. Give an Hour® specifically disclaims all warranties and liabilities regarding its providers.
Additional GAH Military Programs
In addition to no-cost mental health care, Give an Hour® partners with several leading veteran and military service nonprofits, governmental agencies, and others to provide enhanced programming for specific military populations.
Find Other Military Resources
Give an Hour has compiled a list of helpful articles, organizations and other resources related to military life.
General Military Resources
Military Caregivers Resources
Emergency Services Exclusion
Give an Hour® providers are not available for emergency services. To access available resources, click the button below.
Emergency Resources
