Title

Albany Vet Center

Name of Vet Center
Albany Vet Center
Operating status
Normal services and hours
Top of page information
Page introduction
We offer confidential help for Veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting. Our services include counseling for needs such as depression, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST). We can also connect you with more support in VA and your community.
Locations and contact information
Facility ID
vc_0111V
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Main location address

17 Computer Drive West
Albany, NY 12205-1614
United States

Direct line
518-626-5130
Hours
Mon: 8:30 am-7:30 pm
Tue: 8:30 am-8:30 pm
Wed: 8:30 am-7:30 pm
Thu: 8:30 am-6:00 pm
Fri: 8:30 am-5:00 pm
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed
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Hours details

We also have non-traditional hours that change periodically given our community’s needs. Please call us to find out more.

Call center information

Our call center is available 24/7. Call us anytime at 877-927-8387.

Facility photo
Albany Vet Center
Featured content
Highlight up to two Vet Center activities, such as events or programs.
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Find connection, find camaraderie, find community

Learn more about the confidential and comfortable environment you’ll find at your local Vet Center.

Hear what Vet Centers can do for you!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMzkZNbKk1I&feature=youtu.be
Featured content

Operation At Ease - Real heroes carry leashes

Operation at Ease is a nonprofit organization which pairs dogs rescued from shelters with deserving Veterans and first responders. They provide a free guided training program for post traumatic stress and light mobility service dogs.

Learn more about Operation at Ease
https://www.operationatease.org/

NYS Division Of Veteran Services

We have a Veteran Benefit Advisor on location 5 days a week to assist with questions concerning state and federal benefits, and filing disability claims. Mike can be reached at 518-626-5133 or via e-mail michael.pietro@veterans.ny.gov . 

Visit NYS Division of Veterans' Services
https://veterans.ny.gov/
Prepare for your visit
Add or edit a visitor information topic, such as parking, transportation, etc.
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Appointments
  • Please call 518-626-5130  to speak with a staff member that will assist you with scheduling an appointment, questions you may have or provide an appropriate referral.
  • Same day services available, call for details.
  • Non-traditional hours are available by appointment.
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What to expect during your first appointment

First time visitor? Stop by during our office hours or give us a call and let's discuss how we can help. Call 518-626-5130 to schedule an appointment with one of our counselors. 

We understand that you may not know what to expect for your first counseling appointment with the Vet Center. On your first visit you can expect:

  • You will receive and be required to complete an intake packet which includes Vet Center Confidentiality,  demographic information, release of information (optional), and assessments as appropriate.
  • You will be evaluated to ensure that you and those around you are safe.
  • You and your counselor will begin to establish and develop a treatment plan that is appropriate to your needs.
  • Follow-up appointments will be scheduled as appropriate as determined by your counselor.
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Parking

We have a parking area located at the front of the facility. Please feel free to park in any available space.

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What to bring

You do not need to be registered for care at  the VA, rated for a service connected disability, or receiving any other form of VA benefits. On your first visit, we will look for one or more of the following:

  • Discharge documents (such as a DD214)
  • Receipt of certain awards
  • Deployment orders
  • Other documents that show qualifying military service

Request your military service records online.

If you don’t have these documents on-hand, come in and we can work with you to establish your eligibility and also answer any questions you might have.

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Transportation services

Public transportation is available.   Go to  Capital District Transit Authority website to  search schedules and  local bus routes .

Services
Albany Vet Center - Returning service member care
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If you’re returning from military service, we’ll help you transition to civilian life. We can connect you with educational and career counseling, mental health services, and other programs and benefits that will support your transition.

The Albany Vet Center understands that the transition from military to civilian life can be a challenge. We offer a variety of ways to assist you in that process such as:

  • How to get VA medical benefits and register for care
  • Where to go to file claims and other forms
  • Understanding your VA education benefits
  • Housing and home loans
  • Education and referral for VA burial benefits

The Albany Vet Center can also connect you to Veterans Service Organizations in your community.

Albany Vet Center - Military sexual trauma care
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If you experienced sexual assault or harassment during military service, we can help you get the counseling you need. Any Veteran or service member, including members of the National Guard and Reserve forces, who experienced military sexual trauma is eligible to receive counseling. This applies to people of all genders from any service era.

Albany Vet Center offers individual and group counseling by counselors with specific training related to military sexual trauma care. You and your therapist will create a treatment plan tailored to meet your unique needs. That plan may include individual, group, couples, and/or family therapy.

Albany Vet Center - Mental health care
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If you’re struggling with issues like PTSD, depression, grief, anger, or trauma, we offer counseling and other support. We’ll work with you to help you achieve your personal goals.

Albany Vet Center offers individual and group counseling.

Specialty care includes

  • Era-specific Groups (Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq)
  • Service branch groups
  • Cultural groups

Evidence-based therapies such as

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Prolonged exposure therapy (PE)
  • Motivational interviewing (MI)
Albany Vet Center - PTSD care
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If you have symptoms of PTSD after a traumatic event, we can help. We offer assessment and support through private counseling and group therapy. We can also refer you to VA or community counseling for treatment and therapy resources.

Albany Vet Center offers individual and group counseling.

We offer evidence based therapies such as

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
  • Prolonged Exposure (PE) 
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Albany Vet Center - Couples and family counseling
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We offer couples and family counseling to support you as you work toward meeting your goals.

Albany Vet Center has a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) onsite to offer family and couples counseling.

Specialty care includes

  • Couples counseling and support
  • Spouse and Significant Other groups
Albany Vet Center - Grief and bereavement counseling
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We’re here to support you if someone close to you has died or you’re adjusting to a difficult life change.

At the Albany Vet Center, we  offer counseling and other support, such as

  • Bereavement counseling for families who have lost a loved one while they were serving on active duty
  • Grief counseling
Albany Vet Center - Homeless Veteran care
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If you’re homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, we can help you connect with resources in your community.

At the Albany Vet Center, we can connect you with the VA HUD-VASH program or other community resources.

Albany Vet Center - Suicide prevention
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Call our Veterans Crisis Line at <a aria-label="9 8 8" href="tel:988">988</a> and press 1 to get support anytime day or night. This service is private, free, and available 24/7. Our Vet Center can also connect you with ongoing counseling and services.
Albany Vet Center - Veteran connections
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We can help connect you to VA and community resources that will support you in achieving your goals.

We understand that navigating the variety of resources can be a challenge. The Albany Vet Center can help educate you on topics such as:

The Albany Vet Center can also connect you to Veterans Service Organizations in your community.

Albany Vet Center - Community engagement
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We provide private organizations and community agencies education on our Veteran community and military culture. Together, we build referral networks to expand support for Veterans, service members, and their families.

To complement our counseling services, the Albany Vet Center partners with entities such as: 

  • Local Veteran/Service Member support organizations
  • Local military installations
  • National Guard and Reserve units
Albany Vet Center - Telehealth
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We offer secure and confidential individual and group counseling through telehealth. You can schedule a phone or video appointment for Vet Center services.

At the Albany Vet Center, we offer flexibility by offering a variety of appointment modalities to meet your individual needs to include in-person, video, and phone appointments. Ask how we can complement your in-person care with virtual services.  

We offer remote/virtual counseling and outreach through VA Video Connect, and WebEx. 

Albany Vet Center - Addiction and substance abuse care
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We can help you overcome substance use problems, from unhealthy alcohol use to life-threatening addiction. We'll connect you to services for your specific needs.

How we're different than a clinic (FAQs)

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How we’re different than a clinic

Click on a topic for more details.

What are Vet Centers?

Vet Centers are small, non-medical, counseling centers conveniently located in your community. They’re staffed by highly trained counselors and team members dedicated to seeing you through the challenges that come with managing life during and after the military.

Whether you come in for one-on-one counseling or to participate in a group session, at Vet Centers you can form social connections, try new things, and build a support system with people who understand you and want to help you succeed.

Who is eligible to receive services at Vet Centers?

Vet Center services are available to you at no cost, regardless of discharge character, and without you needing to be enrolled in VA health care or having a service-connected disability. If you’re a Veteran or service member, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, you can access our services if you:

  • Served on active military duty in any combat theater or area of hostility
  • Experienced military sexual trauma (regardless of gender or service era) 
  • Provided mortuary services or direct emergent medical care to treat the casualties of war while serving on active military duty
  • Performed as a member of an unmanned aerial vehicle crew that provided direct support to operations in a combat theater or area of hostility
  • Accessed care at a Vet Center prior to January 2, 2013, as a Vietnam-Era Veteran
  • Served on active military duty in response to a national emergency or major disaster declared by the president, or under orders of the governor or chief executive of a state in response to a disaster or civil disorder in that state.
  • Are a current or former member of the Coast Guard who participated in a drug interdiction operation, regardless of the location.

  • Are a current member of the Reserve Components assigned to a military command in a drilling status, including active Reserves, who has a behavioral health condition or psychological trauma related to military service that adversely effects quality of life or adjustment to civilian life.

We encourage you to contact us, even if you’re unsure if you meet these criteria. If we can’t help you, we’ll find someone who will.

Our services are also available to family members when their participation would support the growth and goals of the Veteran or active-duty service member. If you consider them family, so do we. We also offer bereavement services to family members of Veterans who were receiving Vet Center services at the time of the Veteran’s death, and to the families of service members who died while serving on active duty.

Do I have to be enrolled in VA health care to access Vet Center services?

No. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA health care or have a service-connected disability.

What about my privacy?

Safe and confidential. Our records can’t be accessed by other VA offices, the DoD, military units, or other community networks and providers without your permission or unless required to avert a life-threatening situation. Here, you can be as open as you want—there’s absolutely no judgment.