San Antonio Northeast Vet Center
Unhealthy substance use often goes hand in hand with PTSD, depression, or stress. We can help you understand how problematic drinking and drug use might be related to other stressors in your life. We can teach you how to take control over your substance use. Also, we can connect you to more intensive or comprehensive substance use treatment programs within VA or with an local community provider if needed.
We are happy to meet with you and your family member(s) based upon needs. We provide evidence-based approaches to address adjustment and mental health difficulties that stress marriages and families.
The bereavement process may be different for everyone. The process may involve different emotions including sadness, anger, guilt, and regret, and it can be helpful to have a counselor there with you through the stages of this process. We offer bereavement counseling to loved ones of active duty service members who have passed.
At the San Antonio Northeast Vet Center, our counselors and staff help with symptoms that produce, sustain stressful or unhealthy behaviors. Symptoms may include:
- Anxiety and stress reactions.
- Depression and lack of motivation.
- Sleep difficulties.
- Anger, aggressive behavior, and reckless behaviors.
- Overuse of alcohol or drugs.
- Difficulties adjusting to civilian life following a deployment or activation.
The San Antonio Vet Center incorporates therapies that are based on research evidence. Here are some of the evidence-based treatments we offer:
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Eye-Movement, Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) for PTSD
- Motivation Interviewing Therapy (MIT)
Individuals who have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment exhibit a range of other mental health and medical conditions.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sometimes known as shell shock or combat stress, occurs after you experience severe trauma or a life-threatening event. Your body's defense to address a perceived threat to danger includes your fight-or-flight, which occurs when you need to defend yourself or survive the perceived danger of a threatening situation.
Here at the San Antonio Northeast Vet Center, we offer the following services
- Individual evidence-based therapy specific to PTSD
- Group support services on various days of the week, Monday through Thursday
- Psychoeducational group services that encompass topics related to PTSD, such as spousal support, anger management, assertiveness training and insomnia-related PTSD
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 you VA education benefits
- Housing and home loans
- Education and referral for VA burial benefits.
We can also connect you to Veteran Service organizations in your community.
We offer Telehealth counseling services to facilitate a Veteran's effort to acquire counseling services without leaving home, which is especially beneficial during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth is done online with internet access on your computer, tablet or smartphone. The Department of Veterans Affairs uses a designated software virtual program to enable the Veteran and Counselor to interact virtually. The process does requires an orientation to accessing the links necessary to interact virtually. Please ask your counselor to assist you with this platform of service.
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.