May 01, 2014

Ask a service officer: PTSD treatment options

By Cajun Comeau, North Carolina department service officer
Service Officers

Q. Are there PTSD treatment options at my local VA?

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

  • Service Officers