\u201cVeterans have options when it comes to their PTSD treatment,\u201d said Dr. Elissa McCarthy, clinical psychologist with the National Center for PTSD. \u201cOne option is a VA mental health residential treatment program. These programs provide a unique opportunity and environment for healing and recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n
Veterans who attend a VA mental health residential treatment program live at the program facility for two weeks to a few months. This may be at a VA hospital or in the community. Residential treatment programs are often best for Veterans who need additional structure in their day along with more intensive treatment than outpatient care provides. Veterans in residential care participate in daily treatment activities as well as support services that address other needs like employment or overall health and well-being.<\/p>\n
There are several types of mental health residential treatment programs available through VA, including programs that address PTSD, substance use or other mental health concerns. Programs focus on different areas of recovery depending on the recommended mental health treatment.<\/p>\n
\u201cResidential care offers a focused setting for Veterans to pursue meaning and purpose.\u00a0It\u2019s a chance to get a new lease on life while receiving effective treatments for their mental health needs,\u201d McCarthy said.<\/p>\n
For most Veterans, outpatient treatment is the best level of care. Veterans may consider residential treatment if:<\/p>\n
Mental health treatment is not one-size-fits-all. The right treatment is the one that works best for the individual Veteran. Typically, the Veteran and a member of their treatment team will work together to identify a program that fits their treatment needs and preferences.<\/p>\n
During their stay, Veterans participate in at least four hours of treatment each day. This may include individual sessions focused on treating PTSD. There may also be group sessions focused on topics such as spirituality, relapse-prevention, coping skills and general health and wellness.<\/p>\n
Group sessions provide Veterans an opportunity to connect with others going through similar experiences. <\/p>\n
\u201cHealthy relationships are a very important part of recovery. For a Veteran to be able to meet others they relate to, who are going through what they are, and to discuss personal experiences in this safe space, it\u2019s a really great environment,\u201d McCarthy added.<\/p>\n
Throughout the program, Veterans will learn skills and access tools that will help them stay active in their own recovery.<\/p>\n
If a Veteran is interested in a VA mental health residential treatment program, talking to a mental health care provider is a great first step. A mental health treatment provider can make a referral to VA, or Veterans can refer themselves.<\/p>\n
Once VA receives a referral, a Veteran may participate in an initial screening and information session about the program. This may be a phone call, a telehealth appointment or an in-person meeting. Within several days of the initial screening, VA will let the Veteran know their residential treatment options. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Before completing residential treatment, the VA residential treatment team coordinates with the Veteran\u2019s outpatient treatment team to schedule follow-up appointments after discharge. This helps provide a smooth transition out of the residential treatment facility.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter completing a residential treatment program, Veterans often feel like they\u2019re no longer just getting through life, they\u2019re living life. Regardless of the type of treatment you choose, don\u2019t wait. PTSD treatment works and it can help you get your life back,\u201d McCarthy said.<\/p>\n
![<\/a>Treatment may include group sessions focused on treating PTSD<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\u201cResidential care offers a focused setting for Veterans to pursue meaning and purpose.\u00a0It\u2019s a chance to get a new lease on life while receiving effective treatments for their mental health needs,\u201d McCarthy said.<\/p>\nWhen is a residential treatment program a good option?<\/h2>\nFor most Veterans, outpatient treatment is the best level of care. Veterans may consider residential treatment if:<\/p>\n\nThey have not been able to fully engage in outpatient treatment. For example, if the Veteran can\u2019t get to an outpatient clinic on a regular basis.<\/li>\nThe severity of their symptoms has become unmanageable and disrupts their day-to-day life. For example, a Veteran living with PTSD may be trying to address the problems PTSD has caused yet still sees how PTSD continues to have a large negative impact on daily life.<\/li>\nThey live in an environment that is not supporting their recovery. Residential programs offer several treatment sessions per day and 24\/7 access to treatment team members. \u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nMental health treatment is not one-size-fits-all. The right treatment is the one that works best for the individual Veteran. Typically, the Veteran and a member of their treatment team will work together to identify a program that fits their treatment needs and preferences.<\/p>\nWhat\u2019s it like to participate in the program?<\/h2>\nDuring their stay, Veterans participate in at least four hours of treatment each day. This may include individual sessions focused on treating PTSD. There may also be group sessions focused on topics such as spirituality, relapse-prevention, coping skills and general health and wellness.<\/p>\nGroup sessions provide Veterans an opportunity to connect with others going through similar experiences. <\/p>\n\u201cHealthy relationships are a very important part of recovery. For a Veteran to be able to meet others they relate to, who are going through what they are, and to discuss personal experiences in this safe space, it\u2019s a really great environment,\u201d McCarthy added.<\/p>\nThroughout the program, Veterans will learn skills and access tools that will help them stay active in their own recovery.<\/p>\nFind a residential treatment program<\/h2>\nIf a Veteran is interested in a VA mental health residential treatment program, talking to a mental health care provider is a great first step. A mental health treatment provider can make a referral to VA, or Veterans can refer themselves.<\/p>\nOnce VA receives a referral, a Veteran may participate in an initial screening and information session about the program. This may be a phone call, a telehealth appointment or an in-person meeting. Within several days of the initial screening, VA will let the Veteran know their residential treatment options. \u00a0<\/p>\nWhat happens when a Veteran completes the program?<\/h2>\nBefore completing residential treatment, the VA residential treatment team coordinates with the Veteran\u2019s outpatient treatment team to schedule follow-up appointments after discharge. This helps provide a smooth transition out of the residential treatment facility.<\/p>\n\u201cAfter completing a residential treatment program, Veterans often feel like they\u2019re no longer just getting through life, they\u2019re living life. Regardless of the type of treatment you choose, don\u2019t wait. PTSD treatment works and it can help you get your life back,\u201d McCarthy said.<\/p>\nResources<\/h2>\nGet more information<\/a> about PTSD and treatment programs.<\/p>\nIf you have questions about the different types of treatment for PTSD, visit:<\/p>\n\nPTSD Treatment Decision Aid<\/a><\/li>\nTalk Therapy \u2013 PTSD: National Center for PTSD (va.gov)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nFind VA Locations | Veterans Affairs<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u201cVeterans have options when it comes to their PTSD treatment,\u201d said Dr. Elissa McCarthy, clinical psychologist with the National Center for PTSD. \u201cOne option is a VA mental health residential treatment program. These programs provide a unique opportunity and environment for healing and recovery.\u201d Veterans who attend a VA mental health residential treatment program live […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":20711,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,240,221,578],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20709","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-mental-health","category-ptsd","category-residential-treatment-program"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20709","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20709"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20709\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20717,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20709\/revisions\/20717"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20711"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20709"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20709"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20709"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}](\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Group-Women-GettyImages-1470008235_r1-4.jpg\"){kind=link}