Norristown Vet Center
We offer confidential help for Veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting. Our services include counseling for needs such as depression, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST). We can also connect you with more support in VA and your community.
Our commitment
- We offer a range of services, from talk therapy to recreational activities. Our team will work with you to identify your goals and make a plan to meet them. We'll help you and your family build meaningful connections to improve your quality of life.
- Our counseling is confidential. We won’t share any information about you or the services you receive without your permission—except in a life-threatening situation. Our records can't be accessed by other VA offices, the Defense Department, military units, or community providers.
- We encourage you to contact us, even if you're not sure you're eligible. We'll find a way to connect you with the help you need.
Locations and contact information
Main Location
Direct line
Hours
- Mon. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Tue. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Wed. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Thu. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Sat. Closed
- Sun. Closed
Other locations
Vet Centers are community based to be more accessible in areas where you live.
We also have non-traditional hours that change periodically given our community’s needs. Please call us to find out more.
Need help after hours?
Our call center is available 24/7. Call us anytime at 877-927-8387.
Prepare for your visit
Select a topic to learn more.
First time visitor? Give us a call or stop by and let’s discuss how we can help.
After your initial contact with us, you’ll be assigned to a counselor who will call to schedule an appointment. You can expect to hear from us in 1-2 business days.
Walk in services are available for emergencies only.
Wearing a mask is mandatory while visiting or receiving services at the Norristown Vet Center.
The Norristown Vet Center is located on Septa's bus route. Learn more about Bus #93's schedule.
You do not need to be registered for care at VA, rated for a service-connected disability, or receiving any other form of VA benefits. On your first visit, we will look for one or more of the following:
- Discharge documents (such as a DD214)
- Receipt of certain awards
- Deployment orders
- Other documents that show qualifying military service
Request your military service records online.
If you don’t have these documents on-hand, come in and we can work with you to establish your eligibility and answer any questions you might have.
Upon arriving you will find ample parking, including an accessible parking space with access to a ramp. Enter the glass doors marked Norristown Vet Center and go to 2nd floor by way of stairs or elevator. Push the doorbell camera button to be entered into office. Please have a seat and someone will be out to greet you.
In the spotlight
New Vet Centers and Satellite Locations Announced
To improve access to counseling, we are adding three Vet Centers and six satellite locations across the US and its territories. We will continue to expand our program to meet Veteran demand and provide local support to those who served.
Need Help with Benefits and Claims?
VBA and DAV reps will be at the Norristown Vet Center to assist with benefits, claims, and questions!
VBA- 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 0830-1530
DAV- 2nd Tuesday of each month from 0830-1530
Call
(I Think) I Have PTSD: Now What?
Class Dates: January 7, 2025 thru February 25, 2025
This 8 week class will take place on Tuesday nights from 1830-2000. The goal is to recognize and understand PTSD symptoms and behaviors.
Call
Counseling services
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We offer couples and family counseling to support you as you work toward meeting your goals.
At the Norristown Vet Center, we have licensed Marriage and Family Therapists available.
If someone close to you has died or you’re adjusting to a difficult life change, we’re here to support you.
- Bereavement counseling is offered free of charge.
- We refer to The Center for Loss and Bereavement and other community programs
If you're a Veteran who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, or a related identity, we can help you find counseling, support, and referral services to meet your specific needs.
- Safe and confidential services provided
- Referrals to VA Medical Center LGBTQ+ Programs
If you’re struggling with issues like PTSD, depression, grief, anger, or trauma, we offer counseling and other support. We’ll work with you to help you achieve your personal goals.
At the Norristown Vet Center, we offer individual and group counseling. We also provide referral services to appropriate resources in our community.
Care at our center includes:
- One-on-one hour-long counseling sessions targeted at your individual needs.
- Group counseling for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans, Vietnam Veterans; Spouse/Significant Others, and more
Evidence-based therapies such as:
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR)
- Dialectical Based Therapy (DBT)
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Motivational Interviewing (MI)
If you experienced sexual assault or harassment during military service, we can help you get the counseling you need. Any Veteran or service member, including members of the National Guard and Reserve forces, who experienced military sexual trauma is eligible to receive counseling. This applies to people of all genders from any service era.
- Counseling services provided for survivors of Military Sexual Trauma
- Reporting of the incident is not necessary for services
If you have symptoms of PTSD after a traumatic event, we can help. We offer assessment and support through private counseling and group therapy. We can also refer you to VA or community counseling for treatment and therapy resources.
If you’re returning from military service, we’ll help you transition to civilian life. We can connect you with educational and career counseling, mental health services, and other programs and benefits that will support your transition.
Referral services
Select a topic to learn more.
We can help you overcome substance use problems, from unhealthy alcohol use to life-threatening addiction. We'll connect you to services for your specific needs.
- Referrals are made to local VA Medical Centers for inpatient and outpatient services
- Local Community assistance is also available
Call our Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and press 1 to get support anytime day or night. This service is private, free, and available 24/7. Our Vet Center can also connect you with ongoing counseling and services.
- Refer to VA Medical Center's Suicide Prevention Offices
- VA Crisis Hotline 1-
Press 1 - Confidential Chat at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net
- Text 838255
- Montgomery County Mobile Crisis Team 1-855-634-HOPE(4673)
- Suicide Prevention Taskforce
We can help connect you to VA and community resources that will support you in achieving your goals.
The Norristown Vet Center can refer you directly to local organizations and other VA partners to assist you with your needs. A few of our partners are listed below:
- Montgomery County Veteran Affairs (VSO)
- Chester County Veterans Affairs (VSO)
- Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center
- Coatesville VA Medical Center
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
- Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
- American Legion
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
- Regional Benefits Office (VBA)
- Vocational Rehabilitation (VOC. Rehab)
Other services
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We provide private organizations and community agencies education on our Veteran community and military culture. Together, we build referral networks to expand support for Veterans, service members, and their families.
The Norristown Vet Center developed a Veteran Community Engagement Board where Veterans and community stakeholders engage with Vet Center staff to provide feedback on services and work together to build better community relations.
We offer secure and confidential individual and group counseling through telehealth. You can schedule a phone or video appointment for Vet Center services.
Telehealth Services can be provided by use of Virtual Care Manager (VCM).
How Vet Centers are different than a medical clinic
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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.
You may be eligible for Vet Center services no matter your discharge status or eligibility for VA health care. And we encourage you to contact us, even if you’re not sure if you’re eligible. If we can’t help you, we’ll find someone who can.
If you’re a Veteran or service member (including National Guard and Reserves), you’re eligible if you meet any of these service requirements:
- You served on active duty in any combat theater or area of hostility, or
- You provided mortuary services or direct emergency medical care to treat the casualties of war while on active duty, or
- You were a member of an unmanned aerial vehicle crew that provided direct support to operations in a combat theater or area of hostility, or
- You served on active 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, or
- You’re a current or former member of the Coast Guard who participated in a drug interdiction operation, or
- You’re a current member of the Reserve Component assigned to a military command in a drill status, including active Reserves, and you need to address a behavioral health condition or psychological trauma that is related to your military service
If you’re a Veteran or service member (including National Guard and Reserves), you’re also eligible for Vet Center services if any of these descriptions is true for you:
- You’re a Vietnam Era Veteran who used Vet Center services before January 2, 2013, or
- You experienced military sexual trauma (no matter your gender or service era), or
- You currently use any covered VA educational assistance benefits
What are the covered educational assistance benefits?
- Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty
- Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve
- Post-9/11 GI Bill
- Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
- Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
Remember: You don’t need to be enrolled in VA health care to be eligible for Vet Center services. You don’t need to have a service-connected disability. And you can have any character of discharge.
You can use our counseling and other support services when your participation would support the growth and goals of the Veteran or service member in your family. If the Veteran or service member considers you family, so do we.
You can also use our bereavement services if any of these descriptions is true for your family:
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The Veteran or service member died while serving on active duty, or
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The Veteran was using Vet Center services at the time of their death, or
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The Veteran or service member died by suicide
No. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA health care or have a service-connected disability.
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.
Call us at
Our confidential call center is staffed by combat Veterans from several eras and family members of Veterans.
You can talk to us about your military experience, issues around transitioning out of military service, or trauma. We’ll help connect you to resources and support at a Vet Center near you.