Secaucus Vet Center
The Secaucus Vet Center provides individual and group counseling utilizing supportive and evidenced-based techniques such as
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Skills Training and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR)
Our groups include trauma processing and recreational/creative arts style groups. We also process referrals to community resources as needed.
Our scope of care includes anger and stress management as well as building activity and social engagement.
We understand the significance of this type of trauma and will help you through your journey moving forward.
Bereavement counseling is extended to families who lost a loved one while they were serving on active duty. We also provide grief counseling to help with processing loss.
We can support family members by offering individual counseling, couples counseling, or family counseling. This support can be extended to spouses, children, siblings, and other family members.
We are currently utilizing WebEx for our individual and group telehealth services. Counseling sessions can be scheduled as video or phone to accommodate your needs.
The change in culture from the military to a post-service life can be stressful. Our resources and experience can reduce some of that stress as you work through this change.
The Secaucus Vet Center is connected with community homeless prevention organizations including VA Supportive Services for Veterans and Families (SSVF) providers. If you are currently homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, there are resources available to ensure you have somewhere safe to live including the VA Homeless Veterans Call Center, available 24/7 at 1-877-424-3838.
The Secaucus Vet Center is a proud member of the NJ SOS Veterans Stakeholders Group providing education and support to programs and businesses who want to serve and support Veterans. We have attended police departments' crisis intervention trainings, new student orientations for Veteran students at colleges, and provided informational sessions for companies with dedicated Veterans departments.
Our Vet Center organizes recreational and social events to help provide connection with other Veterans and families.
We can help with referrals to the VA Substance Use Disorder Program at the East Orange VA Medical Center or other community-based addiction support programs. We also can provide support and counseling services for eligible Veterans in recovery from addiction.
We are connected with the VA Suicide Prevention team at both East Orange and Lyons VA Medical Centers. Our Vet Center counseling staff can assist with consistent counseling and support.
We understand the need for a whole health approach in supporting your physical and mental health. We can offer mindfulness and guided meditation to support your overall wellbeing. We also have groups such as an art therapy group, a film group, and a book club which all provide alternative therapeutic support through creativity. If you have questions about any of these groups, please contact our office at 201-223-7787.
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.