Specialized PTSD Treatment Programs
in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers provide a network of more than 100 specialized programs for veterans with PTSD, working closely in conjunction with the Veterans Web Site operated by VA's Readjustment Counseling Service.

Each specialized PTSD program offers veterans education, evaluation, and treatment conducted by mental health professionals from a variety of disciplines (such as psychiatry, psychology, social work, counseling, and nursing).

Outpatient PTSD Programs include three basic types of clinics in which veterans meet with a PTSD specialist for regularly scheduled appointments:

• PTSD Clinical Teams (PCTs) provide group and one-to-one evaluation, education, counseling, and psychotherapy.

• Substance Use PTSD Teams (SUPTs) offer outpatient education, evaluation, and counseling for the combined problems of PTSD and substance abuse.

• Women's Stress Disorder Treatment Teams (WSDTTs) provide women veterans group and one-to-one evaluation, counseling and psychotherapy.

Day Hospital PTSD Programs include two basic approaches to providing a "therapeutic community" that veterans with PTSD can attend several times weekly for social, recreational, and vocational activities as well as for counseling:

• Day Treatment PTSD Units provide one-to-one case management and counseling, and group therapy, education, and activities, in order to help clients live successfully with PTSD. Treatment and socialization activities are scheduled on a several-hour-a-day basis during the day and evening hours.

• Residential (Lodger) PTSD Units also offer one-to-one case management and counseling, and group therapy, education, and activities, on a several-hour-a-day basis. While enrolled in daytime and evening PTSD treatment, lodger clients may live temporarily in secure quarters that do not have 24-hour nursing supervision.

Inpatient PTSD Programs include four basic types of services conducted while veterans reside in hospital units providing 24-hour nursing and psychiatry care:

• Specialized Inpatient PTSD Units (SIPUs) provide trauma-focused evaluation, education, and psychotherapy for a period of 28 to 90 days of hospital admission.

• Evaluation and Brief Treatment of PTSD Units (EBTPUs) provide PTSD evaluation, education, and psychotherapy for a briefer period ranging from 14 to 28 days.

• PTSD Residential Rehabilitation Programs (PRRPs) provide PTSD evaluation, education, and counseling, and case management emphasizing resuming a productive involvement in community life. PRRP admissions tend to be 28 to 90 days.

• PTSD Substance Use Programs (PSUs) provide combined evaluation, education, and counseling for substance use problems and PTSD. PSU admissions range from 14 to 90 days.

The information on this Web site is presented for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for informed medical advice or training. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a mental health problem without consulting a qualified health or mental health care provider. All information contained on these pages is in the public domain unless explicit notice is given to the contrary, and may be copied and distributed without restriction. This page was last updated on 12 March 1997. For more information telephone us at (802) 296-5132 or send email to [email protected]