Amarillo 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 4:00 p.m.
- Thu. 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 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
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Walk ins welcome; however, appointments preferred during COVID-19. Please call
You do not need to be registered for VA health care, or have a VA service-connected disability to participate in Vet Center services. On your first visit, we will look for one or more of the following:
- Discharge documents (such as a DD214)
- 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.
We are located across the street from the KGNC building, next to Broome Optical on Olsen Boulevard. We're on the north side of the road, next to Lawrence Lake. Our flagpole is near the entrance which faces north.
Service is provided Monday through Saturday between 6:20 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Fixed Route 44, Amarillo City Transit
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.
Enhancing Lives Through Equine Assisted Services
Equine therapy uses the connection between horses and people to enhance emotional healing. Amarillo Vet Center partners with 7 Star Horse Therapy in assisting the Veterans we serve. Please call us to learn more or visit their website.
Family Support Services of Amarillo - Veteran Resource Center
The Veteran Resource Center is a Veteran-staffed drop-in facility providing Veterans with resources and referrals.
Counseling services
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We offer couples and family counseling to support you as you work toward meeting your goals.
Our Vet Center provides marriage, couples, and family counseling to eligible service members and their families that may experience readjustment and relational distress following redeployment, military relocation, retirement, or incidents of infidelity, and much more.
If someone close to you has died or you’re adjusting to a difficult life change, we’re here to support you.
Our Vet Center provides grief and bereavement services to immediate family members which include:
- The families of Veterans and service members who were receiving Vet Center services at the time of the Veteran's death
- The families (including parents or caregivers) of service members who died while serving on active duty
Staff counselors utilize active listening, compassion, and empathy coupled with elements of the Grief Recovery Method. Our staff will support members through providing skills and tools to improve concentration and focus, improve disrupted sleep patterns, manage the “roller coaster of emotions”, and much more.
We can also connect you to the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) for assistance with burial and survivor services.
If you or a loved one are in—or may be in—a potentially abusive or violent relationship, we can help.
The Amarillo Vet Center can offer counseling and referral services for intimate partner violence (IPV), also sometimes called domestic violence (DV).
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 Amarillo 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, Desert Storm Veterans, Vietnam Veterans, service members and more
We offer evidence-based therapies such as:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
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.
The Amarillo Vet Center provides a safe and comfortable, environment for services where both male and female counselors can help.
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.
At the Amarillo Vet Center, we offer individual and group counseling.
Care at our Center includes:
- Anger management
- Stress management
- Emotional regulation
Evidence-based therapies such as:
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
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.
You and your counselor can determine if group work may be beneficial to your progress.
Referral services
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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.
Your Vet Center counselor can connect you to either in-patient or out-patient substance abuse treatment in the community.
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.
Our staff is also trained to provide VA S.A.V.E. Training that will help you act with care and compassion if you encounter a Veteran who is in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts. If you are interested in receiving this free training for yourself or your organization please contact the Amarillo Vet Center staff at
We can help connect you to VA and community resources that will support you in achieving your goals.
Amarillo Vet Center can help you:
- Understand VA medical benefits and provide guidance on documents needed for enrollment.
- Find a VSO to file claims and other benefits paperwork.
- Connect you to representatives for VA education benefits.
- Find a point of contact for VA and state burial benefits.
- Learn more about housing and VA home loans.
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.
Reach out to the Amarillo Vet Center if you or your organization would like to learn more about VA Benefits and Services, Veteran culture, and how we can collaborate to support the Veteran community.
We can provide individual or group educational briefings, exhibit at your organizations' events, and establish clinical partnerships with your organizations.
We work closely with various Veteran Service Offices in several counties, that work at no charge, to help Veterans and service members apply for local, state, and federal benefits.
The Amarillo Vet Center partners with organizations like:
- Veteran Service Organizations, community leaders, and elected representatives
- Military installations and units, including the National Guard and Reserve
- Businesses, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and the Texas Workforce Commission
- Health care systems and providers, members of the clergy, government agencies, and many more
The Amarillo Vet Center partners with the Amarillo VA Hospital to bring awareness about VA S.A.V.E. This training will help you act with care and compassion if you encounter a Veteran or service member who is in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts. If you are interested in receiving this free training for yourself or your organization please contact the Amarillo Vet Center staff at
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.