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The Portland Vet Center is staffed with several women counselors who can focus on the needs of women Veterans and your cultural transformation along with any readjustment issues you may experience. The Portland Vet Center’s goal is to provide an environment free from harassment that meets the unique needs of women Veterans.

We serve all who served. We can help with counseling, support, case management and referral services to meet specific needs.

LGBTQ IA+ support: EqualityMaine | Maine lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality, 207-761-3732

Transgender support for Veterans:   MaineTransNet

Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender elders (SAGE), 212-741-2247

If you have any questions you can also email the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging: info@lgbtagingcenter.org  

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 

The Portland Vet Center can also connect you to Veterans Service Organizations in your community. 

We have staff who can help connect you to the Veterans Benefits Administration system to better understand what services you are entitled to and how to access them.

Here are also some helpful links in getting started:

• State of Maine Vocational Rehabilitation services 
• VA Togus Readiness and Employment Division  or call  207-623-8411 ext. 4600

Whether you are experiencing or witnessing domestic violence, or are concerned for someone else, the Portland Vet Center can help you to enhance safety, emotional or physical well-being.

Emergency assistance:  The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or online.

Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line 24/7 or text 838255.

Here at the Portland Vet Center can help you know where to go and how to register for: 

• How to get VA medical benefits and register for care 
• Where to go to file claims and other forms 
• Understanding your VA education benefits 
• Education and referral for VA burial benefits 
• Housing and home loans 

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

If you or your agency would like to learn more about the Veteran culture and how we, through a collaboration, can help support our Veteran community please reach out to the Portland Vet Center at 207-780-3584 and ask for Veteran Outreach Program Specialist or our Director.

Here at the Portland Vet Center we provide a caring, supportive place to process loss with services at no additional cost, such as:

• Bereavement counseling for families who have lost a loved one while they were serving on active duty
• Grief counseling
• Contact information to the Veteran Benefits Administration and National Cemetery regarding possible burial and survival benefits.

Vet Center counselors offer the following clinical therapeutic modalities:

• Imago Couples Counseling
• Gottman Couples counseling
• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

In addition, Vet Center counselors may provide education to family members regarding the Veteran’s military relation issues and/or post-military readjustment.

We can help. At the Portland Vet Center, we offer assessment and support through private individual counseling and group therapy.  Our counselors have specialized training in the treatment of trauma and its effects on the individual and larger family system. 

Your records are kept strictly confidential. Vet Center records are separate from even the larger VA and can only be released by written permission from the Veteran or service member.   

We can also refer you to VA or community options for medication management and therapy resources. 

Care at the Portland Vet Center includes:

• Anger management
• Stress management
• Wellness and self-care

Evidence-based therapies such as:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)
• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)