FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
One of the most common questions we receive from pilots has to do with reporting requirements. Questions such as “Do I have to tell my AME about the therapy, coaching, or consultation I’m receiving?”, “How much does the FAA know about my visits with LiftAffect?”, "Do therapists or coaches have to report my visits to the FAA?" Your AME and the FAA know what you disclose on your 8500 form when you apply for your medical certificate. That decision is left solely to the pilot. Therapists or coaches do not have reporting requirements to the FAA, pilot unions, or companies and are bound by the same standards and requirements under HIPAA (Health Information Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) as is every healthcare provider that you work with. Any services you receive from LiftAffect are confidential. With that said, LiftAffect strongly encourages pilots to follow the expected reporting requirements of the FAA. The FAA expects pilots to report visits if they are receiving individual counseling or psychotherapy or have received a diagnosis for a mental health condition. Couples counseling, family therapy, and coaching are not considered reportable by the FAA. Should you decide to report your visits, and depending upon your circumstances, the FAA may request different levels of documentation from your healthcare providers. Should your situation require a request for more information from the FAA, we will be happy to provide that for you. This will require you to sign a Release of Information for us to communicate with the FAA or your AME. Our experience working with pilots, AME's, and the FAA is that the primary reasons medical certifications are denied is due to improper documentation, failure to provide requested documentation in a timely manner, and pilots taking medication that is not approved by the FAA. If you have questions that we are not able to answer we recommend you contact Aviation Medicine Advisory Service (aviationmedicine.com) or contact your AME.
We understand the apprehension that professional pilots feel as they consider seeking help from a mental health professional or coach. Many pilots find themselves seeking professional assistance when they feel as though they are without further options and are desperate for relief from the problems they are experiencing. Unfortunately, and all too often, many pilots contact LiftAffect only after they are on the verge of personal and/or professional catastrophe. There is simply no reason to experience that kind of pain. One of the barriers that pilots face when seeking professional assistance is their inability to obtain an appointment within the constraints of their flying schedule. Maintaining regular appointments with a therapist or coach is simply not feasible for professional pilots whose schedules change every month. We understand that pilots are often on the road and traveling between multiple time zones. At LiftAffect, we take advantage of technology to offer you easy access to help. We are often able to work around your schedule and are committed to accommodating your immediate needs. No special hardware or software is required. As long as you have a phone, tablet, or computer with a camera on it you’re good to go. We make is easy for you to receive help.
One of the barriers that pilots face when seeking professional assistance is their inability to obtain an appointment within the constraints of their flying schedule. Maintaining regular appointments with a therapist or coach is simply not feasible for professional pilots whose schedules change every month. We understand that pilots are often on the road and traveling between multiple time zones. At LiftAffect, we take advantage of technology to offer you easy access to help. We are often able to work around your schedule and are committed to accommodating your immediate needs. No special hardware or software is required. As long as you have a phone, tablet, or computer with a camera on it you’re good to go. We make is easy for you to receive help.
Professional pilots know better than anyone that maintaining their medical certification preserves their ability to fly and earn a living. Few healthcare providers understand the complexities that pilots face with maintaining medical certification when pilots experience and report various psychological issues. Regulatory requirements and stigmatization of mental health issues within the aviation industry have created an environment that has driven pilots to hide, minimize, or ignore their mental health issues. Many pilots that have sought help for mental health issues have lost their medical certification due to an unnecessary or inaccurate diagnosis and mishandled documentation from well-intentioned mental health professionals and medical providers. LiftAffect is committed to providing a honest, transparent, ethical, and clear path for pilots to receive help for mental health and mental performance issues. Since LiftAffect are dedicated to assisting professional pilots, we understand the complexities of your personal and professional life. You don't have to explain the negative impacts that "red-eyes", commuting, or reserve have on your physical and mental health. We understand the psychological pressure of training events. At LiftAffect, we provide a comprehensive range of services to enhance your mental well-being and optimize your mental performance as a professional aircraft pilot. Our offerings include specialized mental health coaching, psychotherapy, mental performance coaching, and psycho education.