Houston West 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, posttraumatic 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.
To schedule appointments, please contact our main number at 713-682-2288. Walk-ins are welcome. Crisis cases will be seen on the same day.
There’s free parking in the front and side of the building as well as in the parking garage, which is located at the back of the building. An ADA accessible ramp is located on the first floor of the parking garage.
If you need an ADA ramp, use the back entrance of the building.
The main entrance to the Vet Center is on the south side of the building.
You don’t 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’ll 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.
We have a bus stop #8377 in front of our building. Routes that stop here are red 33, blue 47 and 84, and green 70.
Northwest Transit Center is less than a half mile from our office.
Visit the Metro website for more information on public transportation
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.
Borne the Battle Podcast
Keep informed on important VA and Vet Center updates, hear other Veterans' stories and guest interviews by listening to the weekly Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) official podcast.
Counseling services
Select a topic to learn more.
We offer couples and family counseling to support you as you work toward meeting your goals.
We offer marital and family counseling to support the reintegration process of Veterans and service members into a safe home and family environment. If they matter to you, they matter to us.
If someone close to you has died or you’re adjusting to a difficult life change, we’re here to support you.
We offer bereavement services to family members of Veterans who were receiving Vet Center services at the time of death and to the families of service members who died while serving on active duty. We have Spanish-speaking counselors available for the Spanish-speaking community.
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.
We offer a variety of services for our Veterans and service members and their families. We offer both individual and group counseling. We have both gender-specific and gender-neutral groups.
Some of our era-specific groups include:
- Vietnam
- Desert Storm, OEF/OIF
Other groups include:
- Virtual yoga: Mind and body working together to reach the ultimate whole health goal
- Nature walk: Enjoy a relaxing stroll in the park with your fellow Veterans and service members
- Other outdoor activities
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.
Our counselors provide gender-neutral counseling for military sexual trauma (MST). We offer both individual and group therapy, depending on the Veterans’ and service members’ needs.
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.
We offer a variety of services to Veterans and service members and their families. We offer both individual and group counseling. We have both gender-specific and gender-neutral groups.
Some of our era-specific groups include:
- Vietnam
- Desert Storm, OEF/OIF
Other groups include:
- Virtual yoga: Mind and body working together to reach the ultimate whole health goal
- Nature walk: Enjoy a relaxing stroll in the park with your fellow Veterans and service members
- Other outdoor activities
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.
Transitioning from military to civilian life can be stressful and difficult at times. You’re not alone. We have resources and community partners to help make this transition easier.
We can connect you to Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center or one of our local Community Base Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) for help enrolling in VA health care benefits.
Visit the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center website
We refer to the local VSO for claims and benefits assistance.
We also refer to organizations with resources to find employment opportunities, such as:
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.
We refer Veterans and service members to the substance use disorder program at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, the Council on Recovery, and other community partners.
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.
There’s always someone available to help you. No matter what your situation is, we’re here for you.
Come visit us or call 713-682-2288.
You can also reach the Veterans Crisis Line by texting 838255 or through confidential chat on their website.
We can help connect you to VA and community resources that will support you in achieving your goals.
We work closely with our community partners to help you get connected to the benefits and services you earned.
We can connect you to Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center or one of our local Community Base Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) for help enrolling in VA healthcare benefits.
Visit the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center website
We refer to local Veteran Service Organizations for claims and benefits assistance.
We also refer to organizations with resources to find employment opportunities, such as:
Other services
Select a topic to learn more.
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.
We have a great community network to provide assistance to Veterans, service members, and their family members in need.
Our partners include:
We offer workshops and classes if you want to connect with other Veterans but don't want a group counseling setting.
We want to provide additional opportunities to Veterans and service members to grow and learn. We offer workshops and classes that include but aren’t limited to:
- Guitars for Heroes: Learn how to play guitar while enjoying time with your fellow Veterans and service members
- Benefits workshop
- Walking group
Call us for more details.
How Vet Centers are different than a medical clinic
Select a topic to learn more.
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:
-
The Veteran or service member died while serving on active duty, or
-
The Veteran was using Vet Center services at the time of their death, or
-
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.