Houston West Vet Center
We refer Veterans and service members to the substance use disorder program at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, the Council on Recovery, and other community partners.
We offer marital and family counseling to support the reintegration process of Veterans and service members into a safe home and family environment. If they matter to you, they matter to us.
We have a great community network to provide assistance to Veterans, service members, and their family members in need.
Our partners include:
We offer bereavement services to family members of Veterans who were receiving Vet Center services at the time of death and to the families of service members who died while serving on active duty. We have Spanish-speaking counselors available for the Spanish-speaking community.
We offer a variety of services for our Veterans and service members and their families. We offer both individual and group counseling. We have both gender-specific and gender-neutral groups.
Some of our era-specific groups include:
- Vietnam
- Desert Storm, OEF/OIF
Other groups include:
- Virtual yoga: Mind and body working together to reach the ultimate whole health goal
- Nature walk: Enjoy a relaxing stroll in the park with your fellow Veterans and service members
- Other outdoor activities
Our counselors provide gender-neutral counseling for military sexual trauma (MST). We offer both individual and group therapy, depending on the Veterans’ and service members’ needs.
We offer a variety of services to Veterans and service members and their families. We offer both individual and group counseling. We have both gender-specific and gender-neutral groups.
Some of our era-specific groups include:
- Vietnam
- Desert Storm, OEF/OIF
Other groups include:
- Virtual yoga: Mind and body working together to reach the ultimate whole health goal
- Nature walk: Enjoy a relaxing stroll in the park with your fellow Veterans and service members
- Other outdoor activities
Transitioning from military to civilian life can be stressful and difficult at times. You’re not alone. We have resources and community partners to help make this transition easier.
We can connect you to Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center or one of our local Community Base Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) for help enrolling in VA health care benefits.
Visit the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center website
We refer to the local VSO for claims and benefits assistance.
We also refer to organizations with resources to find employment opportunities, such as:
There’s always someone available to help you. No matter what your situation is, we’re here for you.
Come visit us or call 713-682-2288.
You can also reach the Veterans Crisis Line by texting 838255 or through confidential chat on their website.
We work closely with our community partners to help you get connected to the benefits and services you earned.
We can connect you to Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center or one of our local Community Base Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) for help enrolling in VA healthcare benefits.
Visit the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center website
We refer to local Veteran Service Organizations for claims and benefits assistance.
We also refer to organizations with resources to find employment opportunities, such as:
We want to provide additional opportunities to Veterans and service members to grow and learn. We offer workshops and classes that include but aren’t limited to:
- Guitars for Heroes: Learn how to play guitar while enjoying time with your fellow Veterans and service members
- Benefits workshop
- Art group (healing through art)
Call us for more details.
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.
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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.