Ask a service officer: PTSD treatment options
Q. Are there PTSD treatment options at my local VA?
A. Every VA facility has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) specialists and programs to provide treatment for veterans who suffer from the invisible wound of war. VA PTSD treatment services are available for veterans who:
- Completed active military service in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard (or Merchant Marines during WWII).
- Were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
- Were National Guard members or reservists who completed a federal deployment to a combat zone.
VA PTSD services offered include education, evaluation and treatment, as well as outpatient and inpatient care. Outpatient PTSD care can be provided by a specialist or in one of the following outpatient PTSD programs:
- PTSD clinical teams
- Substance use PTSD teams
- Women’s stress disorder teams
- Day hospitals
Specialized Intensive PTSD Programs (SIPPs) provide PTSD treatment services in an inpatient or residential setting. SIPPs include:
- Evaluation and brief PTSD treatment units
- PTSD residential rehabilitation treatment programs and PTSD domiciliary programs
- Specialized inpatient PTSD units
- Women’s trauma recovery programs
SIPPs also provide treatment to address other veterans’ needs such as employment, housing and recreation. Some SIPPs offer services for veterans who experienced military sexual trauma, have a substance use disorder, and more. The intensive PTSD programs include evaluation, case management in 24-hour therapeutic settings and psychotherapy treatment that is individualized to meet the needs of the veteran.
Find a specialized PTSD program online: www.va.gov/directory/guide/ptsd_flsh.asp
Email claims questions to: askso@legion.org
Find a Legion service officer: www.legion.org/serviceofficers