Title

Birmingham Vet Center

Name of Vet Center
Birmingham 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_0739V
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Main location address

400 Emery Drive
Suite 200
Hoover, AL 35244
United States

Direct line
205-212-3122
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
The Birmingham 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

The Birmingham Mobile Vet Center

We use our Mobile Vet Center (MVC) to provide services and referrals at local community events. We also use our MVC during times of crisis or natural disasters to support affected communities. 

Vet Centers can help you

Veterans tell their story on the services they received and how the Vet Center helped them in their healing process.

Listen to Veterans and their story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nH815Hsq04
Prepare for your visit
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Appointments

First-time visitors or walk-ins

If you’re a first-time visitor, stop by during our office hours or call 205-212-3122 to discuss how we can help. Many of our services are available on a walk-in basis. 

Making an appointment

Call during our normal operating hours at 205-212-3122 to schedule an appointment with one of our counselors. 

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

Contacting us

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.

Canceling 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 make that time available for another Veteran or service member. 

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Building and parking information

We’re located in suite 200 on the first and second floors of the building. The entrance to the Vet Center is just inside the main door of the building. Ring the doorbell and a staff member will open the door for you. 

Parking

Free parking is available directly in front and around either side of our building. Accessible parking is available and marked. 

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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 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 answer any questions you might have.

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Transportation

The city of Hoover doesn’t offer local public transportation. Veterans may be able to obtain transportation through the DAV, VFW, or American Legion. Let us know if transportation is an issue for you, and we can help navigate barriers to obtaining services at the Vet Center. If you’re unable to come in person to the Vet Center, we offer telehealth visits as an option. Please call us at 205-212-3122. 

Services
Birmingham 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.

Unhealthy substance use often goes hand-in-hand with PTSD, depression, or stress. We can help you understand how problematic drinking, drug use, or gambling might be related to other stressors in your life. And we can teach you how to take control over your substance use.

We can also connect you to more intensive or comprehensive substance use treatment programs within VA or in our local community, if needed.

Birmingham 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 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. 

We currently host a group for spouses and significant others every 2 weeks on Tuesdays, called Hope. To join that group, you’ll need to get a referral from a counselor. Contact us for more information.

Birmingham 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’re committed to functioning as a focal point where Veterans and community partners can connect and engage. We actively partner with:

Call 205-212-3122 if you or your organization is interested in learning more about ways to partner with us.

Birmingham 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 also offer bereavement counseling to any Gold Star family members. If you’re a Gold Star family member, we’re here for you, no matter how distant or recent your loss.

Learn more about Gold Star families

Birmingham 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 commonly address the following concerns:

  • Anxiety or stress reactions, like PTSD
  • Depression or lack of motivation
  • Sleep difficulties, including sleep problems caused by shift work
  • Anger, aggressive behavior, and reckless behaviors
  • Overuse of alcohol or drugs
  • Difficulties adjusting to civilian life following a deployment or activation

We have groups available to meet your needs, such as: 

Tuesdays

  • Hope (spouses and significant others group), meets every 2 weeks
  • Beyond Deserts and Jungles (Vietnam PTSD group), meets weekly 
  • Battle Buddies (recreation group), meets weekly 

Wednesdays

  • Phoenix (male MST group), meets weekly
  • PTSD support group (male only), meets weekly

Thursdays

  • Genesis (female Veteran group), meets weekly
  • Band of Warriors (post-Vietnam PTSD group), meets the first and third Thursdays of the month

To join these groups, you’ll need to get a referral from a counselor. 

Birmingham 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 have male and female counselors available to meet with you based on your preference. We also have a military sexual trauma group on Wednesdays for males only. To join, you’ll need to get a referral from a counselor. 

Birmingham 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.

If you’re feeling on edge and on guard, having trouble with sleep or motivation, or just feeling unlike yourself following a major event or critical incident, we can help. We’ll teach you tools to manage these problems and get back on track. Asking for help takes courage. We provide the private, comfortable setting with expert counselors to help you take that next step.

Learn more about PTSD 

Learn more about PTSD treatment options

We also offer the following groups:

  • Beyond Deserts and Jungles (Vietnam PTSD group)
  • PTSD support group (male only)
  • Band of Warriors (post-Vietnam PTSD group)
  • Battle Buddies (recreation group)

To join these groups, you’ll need to get a referral from a counselor. 

Birmingham 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 know that completing military service can come with a variety of new challenges. Navigating the VA system and other benefits alone can be overwhelming. We can provide education and connection for: 

  • Enrollment in VA health care benefits
  • Filing a military-related disability claim
  • Connection to employment opportunities
  • Using VA education benefits
  • Using your VA home loan
  • Connecting to state benefits and services
Birmingham 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.
Birmingham 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 searching for resources can be frustrating. Let us help you navigate through these challenges:

  • How to activate VA medical benefits and enroll in care
  • Where to file disability claims and other forms
  • How to make the most of your VA education benefits 
  • How to use your VA home loan
  • How to access VA burial benefits

We can also connect you to the local Veteran Service Officer in your town. Call us at 205-212-3122 to find out more.

Birmingham Vet Center - LGBTQ+ Veteran care
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If you're a Veteran who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, or a related identity, we can help you find counseling, support, and referral services to meet your specific needs.
Birmingham 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.

We understand the unique experiences and needs of women Veterans. We'll work with you to find a counselor that fits your preferences, and can help you connect with other agencies as needed. We also have a women Veteran group that meets weekly on Thursdays. To join any group, you’ll need a referral from a counselor. 

Birmingham 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.
Birmingham Vet Center - Minority Veteran care
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If you’re a Veteran from a minority community, we can help you find counseling, support, and referral services to meet your specific needs.

We specialize in serving the unique needs of those who served, including: 

  • First responders
  • Women Veterans
  • Veterans of color

If we can't help, we’ll connect you with someone who can. 

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.