Columbus, GA Vet Center
We can easily refer Veterans and service members in need of such services to excellent programs at the Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System - Tuskegee VA in our community for outpatient treatment or residential care.
Our counselors specialize in the Gottman Method for couples therapy. Veterans and service members often like this approach because it provides specific tools and a systematic strategy for improving relationships. You may find that addressing any personal concerns through individual therapy helps you get the most out of your couples therapy sessions.
We also offer opportunities for your partner or other family members to join your individual therapy sessions, once or twice. This can provide an opportunity for your family members to learn more about your needs and ways to best support you during your treatment.
To ensure we are meeting your needs, we have several community partners that we collaborate with. Our community partners are an extensive resource that is familiar with the military lifestyle and culture. Some of our community partners are:
- Disabled Americans Veterans
- American Legion
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System Columbus GA
- Fort Benning CBOC
- Dothan AL CBOC
- Alabama Department of Veterans Services
- Georgia Department of Veterans Services
- Dublin, GA VA Health Care
- Game Day for Heroes
Our grief and bereavement services are available to family and family members of Veterans and service members who have experienced a death of an active-duty service member or Veteran.
If you’re struggling with communication, not being understood, angry, isolating, and/or wondering why and can’t get the answers, stop by to see us. We’re here for you and want to help you get back on track.
Consider visiting us if you are experiencing:
- Anxiety or stress reactions, such as PTSD
- Depression or lack of motivation
- Sleep difficulties, including sleep problems caused by shift work
- Anger, aggressive behavior, and reckless behaviors
- Difficulties adjusting to civilian life following a deployment or activation
Some of the evidence-based treatments offered:
- Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing and Relapse Prevention
Columbus Vet Center offers individual and group counseling by counselors with specific training related to military sexual trauma care.
If you're feeling on edge and on guard, having trouble with sleep, motivation, or mood, or just feeling unlike yourself following a major event or critical incident, we can teach you tools to manage these problems and get back on track. Asking for help takes courage and we provide the private, comfortable setting with expert counselors to help you take that next step. Learn more about PTSD and your treatment options.
Other services such as:
- Enrollment in VA health care
- Filing a military-related disability claim
- Connection to employment opportunities
- Applying for VA education benefits
- Applying for your VA home loan
- Connecting to state benefits and services
- Finding a Veteran mentor with the ETS Sponsorship Program
The Columbus Vet Center can provide basic information about:
- VA medical benefits and care registration
- Connection to a local Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for claims/benefits support
- VA education benefits
- VA burial benefits
Should you need additional information about another topic, please reach out to us so that we can support you in the best way we can.
We understand the needs of females and their unique experiences. We'll match you with a counselor that fits with your preferences and we can help you connect with VA women's health care if needed.
How we're different than a clinic (FAQs)
How we’re different than a clinic
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.