When I walked in there, everything changed for me,” one woman Veteran who requested to remain anonymous said about her experience using her local Vet Center. “I had individual sessions with a female therapist, and 12 weeks of cognitive processing therapy to specifically address my PTSD. I also completed a 12-week trauma group that was designed for women Veterans. I had always felt alone in my trauma, but being surrounded by supportive women who understood what I was going through was comforting. It helped me a lot.”

Vet Centers understand and appreciate the traumatic experiences of Veterans and Servicemembers, including war and military sexual assault, and are committed to assisting them and their families toward a successful adjustment in or near their communities. Veteran-to-Veteran service is one of the things that makes this culturally competent readjustment counseling possible: 71 percent of Vet Center staff members are Veterans. And though women are less than 10 percent of Veterans overall, a full 25 percent of Vet Center staff members are women Veterans who served in a war zone, like Candace. (Watch her story below.) That may help explain why 10.8 percent of the Veterans using Vet Center services in 2015 were women, a number that has grown to 11.3 percent so far in 2016. Our experiences and service are represented and recognized.

Readjustment counseling at Vet Centers nationwide includes a wide range of services to eligible Veterans and their families so that they can make a successful transition from military to civilian life. These include individual and group counseling, family counseling for military-related issues, bereavement counseling, counseling and referrals for those who experienced military sexual trauma, and referral for other VA services including substance abuse, employment and more.

Vet Centers provide all readjustment counseling services at no charge and without limitation to eligible Veterans, Servicemembers and their family members. Those using Vet Centers are not required to enroll in the VA Health Care System or to have received a service connection for conditions caused by military service. Vet Centers provide services regardless of the nature of a Veteran’s discharge, which means that individuals with problematic discharges are also eligible for readjustment counseling services. And Vet Centers offer complete confidentiality about any and all services you receive.

Vet Centers recognize that Veterans have work and family commitments, so locations across the country provide non-traditional hours that include some weekend hours. To provide greater access to services, the program includes more than 100 Mobile Vet Centers, more than 250 veteran outreach specialists, outstations and community access points. The Vet Center program also has a Veterans Call Center staffed with qualified counselors who will answer your calls after duty hours; the phone number is 1-877-927-8387.

“That’s the nice thing about Vet Centers,” another woman Veteran said. “You just walk in. There’s no wait.  I was still very nervous, though, because I didn’t know what to expect.  But when I walked in there I immediately felt comfortable because there were other Vietnam Vets there.  Vet Centers are great because there’s Veterans there to greet you, to embrace you, to welcome you.  Eventually someone asked me if I wanted to see a counselor, and right away I said ‘yes.’

 This is the fourth blog in an 11-week series on the State of Women Veterans. Visit the campaign page to read other entries.

 

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4 Comments

  1. Timmie B. September 28, 2016 at 04:43

    This is to Kayla Williams,
    Why doesn’t the VA step up and honor the Taiwan Drawdown! I was there! I was shot at! My friends were blown up! Some of us had to hide out in places like the China Seas Club. They even blew that up! That day all this happened, Carter gave Taiwan back to the Red Chinese. Now, they declare no combat happened! I never served in combat! I wish Gen. Vessey were alive. I know he heard from our Admirals and Generals! Carter didn’t bother to tell any of the U.S. Military what he had done! Then he just did it and to HELL with us! I know! I took all the phone calls that day!!!
    Please see what you can do. It took me 17 1/2 years for me to get my benefits! Ridiculous! Especially since I had hard copy proof! Denied so many times over the years. I’m a medical mess. I’m 65. I’m having now to live with withdrawals because our precious VA hospital thought it was a good idea to take me off my much needed pain medication due to my serious internal injuries caused by the US Army! It seems the last two times I was under the surgical care of the VA hospital I almost died. They want to know why this 100% Disabled Female Vet won’t come back? Are you kidding me? They get to torture you during the time your rehabilitating after surgery!
    I was the last platoon to receive my Athena. I was one of the last WACS. I truly hope that I have been informative.

  2. Rebecca K Robertson September 24, 2016 at 20:16

    I thank Sally S. Of the Salem, Oregon Veterans Center for all the love and support she gave my son and me when I was dealing with PTSD, ETC. Warm regards to her and all you Vet Center reps everywhere. Am glad I’m still alive! Rebecca Robertson

  3. Amicitia Maloon-Gibson September 24, 2016 at 07:58

    Thank you, for this informative blog. As one of last year group of Womens Army Corps (WAC) it allows me to share this information with our outreach group of Women Veterans that are not on technology (WWll, Pre Baby Boomers Era).
    Amicitia Maloon-Gibson, LTC, US ARMY RETIRED

  4. Rosella J Cunningham September 22, 2016 at 12:10

    I need to find out how to get my dog certified as a PTSD/MSTD. I found a class for training, but I have been told by various people that I can get a certification from the va. Because of my PTSD there are only a limited places we are allowed.

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