Title

Knoxville Vet Center

Name of Vet Center
Knoxville 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, posttraumatic 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_0720V
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Main location address

1645 Downtown West Blvd #28
Knoxville, TN 37919
United States

Direct line
865-633-0000
Hours
Mon: 8:00 am-4:30 pm
Tue: 8:00 am-4:30 pm
Wed: 8:00 am-4:30 pm
Thu: 8:00 am-4:30 pm
Fri: 8:00 am-4:30 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
Front view of the Knoxville Vet Center from parking lot.
Featured content
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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

Veteran outreach

We participate in a variety of community and educational events. Many events are free for Veterans, service members, and their families to attend. They're a great way to connect with people in your community. Contact us for details.

Borne the Battle Podcast

In a Borne the Battle podcast episode, Mike Fisher, Chief Readjustment Counseling Officer, discusses some of the unique and generous benefits that Vet Centers offer.

Go to the podcast
https://news.va.gov/66473/born-the-battle-164-mike-fisher-benefits-breakdown-ve…
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Appointments

First time visitors

First-time visitor? Give us a call and let's discuss any questions you might have. Call 865-633-0000 to schedule an appointment with one of our counselors.

Intake visit

After your initial contact with us, the Vet Center Director will work to match you with a counselor. You can expect a return call within 1 to 2 business days, and we will schedule your first appointment within 2 to 10 business days. Anyone in crisis will have their needs addressed immediately.

Cancelling or rescheduling an appointment

If you know you'll miss an appointment, please notify us as soon as possible so we can reschedule your appointment and we will make that time available for another Veteran or service member.

You can call us anytime during our posted hours of operation. If you need to call outside of those times, on weekends, or holidays, the Vet Center Call Center is available 24/7 at 877-927-8737. Calling our main line after hours will automatically send you to the Vet Center Call Center.

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Parking and building access

Enter the Downtown West Shopping Plaza, and we're located in the 1645 Building Suite #28.

We have a large well-lit parking area. Please feel free to park in any available space.

The main entrance is marked "VA/Vet Center" in blue letters.

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Public transportation

We're accessible through Knoxville Area Transit (KAT). If you're taking the KAT bus, you can plan your trip on their site. 

Plan your trip on KAT

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What to bring

You don’t need to be registered for care at VA, rated for a service-connected disability, or receiving any other form of VA benefits. On your first visit, we’ll check 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 answer any questions you might have.

Services
Knoxville 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.

We offer individual counseling to help with addiction and substance use. We’re also able to refer you to our VA Medical Center and one of our community partners.

Knoxville 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.

We have licensed therapists who can provide services such as:

  • Individual counseling for couples, spouses, children and significant others
  • Couples counseling
Knoxville 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.

We value community partnerships and are intentional about engaging with our local communities regularly.

Established local partners include:

Knoxville 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.

We support Gold Star families. We offer grief and bereavement counseling if your service member died while serving on active duty.

We can help get you connect to the Veterans Benefits Administration, National Cemetery Administration, and navigate burial and survivor benefits using the Planning Your Legacy Toolkit.

Download VA’s toolkit for burial benefits and pre-planning information (PDF)

Knoxville 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.

We offer individual and group counseling. We also provide referral services to appropriate resources in our community.

Care at our center includes:

  • One-on-one hour-long counseling sessions targeted at your individual needs

Evidence-based therapies such as:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
  • Family Therapy

Our specialty groups include:

  • Vietnam Combat Veterans
  • OEF/OIF groups
  • Combat Veteran (era integrated)
  • Military Sexual Trauma (MST group)

A counselor referral is required before attending a group.

Knoxville 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.

We offer individual and group counseling for those who have experienced military sexual trauma. We currently have both male and female counselors that can help.

If interested, please contact the Vet Center at 865-633-0000.

Knoxville 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.

We offer individual and group counseling. This includes care for:

  • Anger management
  • Stress management
  • Activity engagement

And we use evidence-based therapies such as:

  • Prolonged Exposure (PE). This teaches you to gradually approach trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations that you have been avoiding since your trauma. By confronting these challenges, you can actually decrease your PTSD symptoms.
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). This teaches you how to evaluate and change the upsetting thoughts you have had since your trauma. By changing your thoughts, you can change how you feel.
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This helps people learn how to identify and change the destructive or disturbing thought patterns that have a negative influence on their behavior and emotions.

We currently have a PTSD group that meets weekly. If you're interested, please contact us at 865-633-0000.

Knoxville 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.

We understand 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

We can also connect you to Veterans Service Organizations in your community.

Knoxville 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.
Knoxville 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 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

We can also connect you to Veterans Service Organizations in your community.

Knoxville 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.

Call the VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838.

Findhelp has information about financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost help.

Visit findhelp to learn more

Knoxville Vet Center - Whole health
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Whole health puts you—instead of your illnesses or conditions—at the center of care. We’ll work with you to develop a personalized health plan based on your values, needs, and goals.

We have partnered with community organizations to offer therapeutic activities such as:

Knoxville Vet Center - Women Veteran care
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If you’re a woman Veteran transitioning to civilian life, we can help you find counseling, support, and referral services to meet your specific needs.
Knoxville 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.

Busy schedule? Don’t have time to sit in traffic? We get it. We have easy-to-use telehealth platforms that allow us to provide you with our same high-quality services virtually. All you need is a smartphone or similar device, an internet connection, and a private location. 

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.