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Vet Centers |
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One of the things we try very hard to do on this site is to share our experiences (good and
bad) and tell you step-by-step how to get started. Unfortunately, some resources aren't
within a possible driving distance for many. However, if you are close enough to get to a
VA Vet Center and you (or your Veteran) are struggling with adjusting to life after combat,
they are a wonderful resource.
There are 232 Vet Centers in the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin
Islands. They are set-up to be easily accessible (minimum paper work and in-processing
hassle) and offer a team of people devoted to helping Veterans deal with the mental "after
shocks" of war.
Most Vet Centers offer individual counseling, family counseling, group therapy, and classes
on things like Anger Management, Communication Skills, Good Sleep Habits, etc.
This service is free to any Veteran who served in any combat zone.
Typically, "enrollment" is as easy as going to your local Vet Center, filling out an intake
sheet (one page, short & sweet), and scheduling an appointment. Many of the Centers
have OIF/OEF Outreach Coordinators (many of whom served in Iraq or Afghanistan) that
will then help you figure out which counselor you'd like to see, what classes might help, etc.
If your Veteran is nervous or reluctant to go, you might want to try the following. It worked
for our family...
I called and talked to the receptionist. I openly explained that I was having a difficult time
getting my husband to go in and what his reasons were for not wanting to go. She helped
me figure out the best person for him to see, the best time of day for us to come (when
things were the least busy), etc. She also told me who in the office had served in the
military and what combat experience they had.
I then went to my husband with that information. Explained to him that the OIF/OEF
Outreach Coordinator had served in Iraq and that we could just go meet with him. If he still
didn't feel comfortable, we could leave. But, the whole process would be short and sweet
and would at least give us some "intel" on the resources available.
Needless to say, that initial meeting went well, and we've now used our local Vet Center for
individual counseling for my husband and for family counseling. The staff is great and it
has become a comfortable, safe place for our family to learn to navigate PTSD and TBI.
My only "gripe" with the Vet Centers is that individual counseling is only available to
Veterans... not to loved ones. I hope this will change in the future. Making counseling and
individual support services available to those who are caring for our nation's mentally
wounded warriors would go a long way toward preventing Secondary PTSD.
To find about more about the VA Vet Center program or to find your local center, CLICK
HERE.
bad) and tell you step-by-step how to get started. Unfortunately, some resources aren't
within a possible driving distance for many. However, if you are close enough to get to a
VA Vet Center and you (or your Veteran) are struggling with adjusting to life after combat,
they are a wonderful resource.
There are 232 Vet Centers in the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin
Islands. They are set-up to be easily accessible (minimum paper work and in-processing
hassle) and offer a team of people devoted to helping Veterans deal with the mental "after
shocks" of war.
Most Vet Centers offer individual counseling, family counseling, group therapy, and classes
on things like Anger Management, Communication Skills, Good Sleep Habits, etc.
This service is free to any Veteran who served in any combat zone.
Typically, "enrollment" is as easy as going to your local Vet Center, filling out an intake
sheet (one page, short & sweet), and scheduling an appointment. Many of the Centers
have OIF/OEF Outreach Coordinators (many of whom served in Iraq or Afghanistan) that
will then help you figure out which counselor you'd like to see, what classes might help, etc.
If your Veteran is nervous or reluctant to go, you might want to try the following. It worked
for our family...
I called and talked to the receptionist. I openly explained that I was having a difficult time
getting my husband to go in and what his reasons were for not wanting to go. She helped
me figure out the best person for him to see, the best time of day for us to come (when
things were the least busy), etc. She also told me who in the office had served in the
military and what combat experience they had.
I then went to my husband with that information. Explained to him that the OIF/OEF
Outreach Coordinator had served in Iraq and that we could just go meet with him. If he still
didn't feel comfortable, we could leave. But, the whole process would be short and sweet
and would at least give us some "intel" on the resources available.
Needless to say, that initial meeting went well, and we've now used our local Vet Center for
individual counseling for my husband and for family counseling. The staff is great and it
has become a comfortable, safe place for our family to learn to navigate PTSD and TBI.
My only "gripe" with the Vet Centers is that individual counseling is only available to
Veterans... not to loved ones. I hope this will change in the future. Making counseling and
individual support services available to those who are caring for our nation's mentally
wounded warriors would go a long way toward preventing Secondary PTSD.
To find about more about the VA Vet Center program or to find your local center, CLICK
HERE.
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