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Charlotte Vet Center

Small group of diverse Veterans talking and smiling with a Vet center counselor, American flag in the background.

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

2114 Ben Craig Drive
Suite 300
Charlotte, NC 28262

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 4:30 p.m.
  • Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Sat. Closed
  • Sun. Closed
Charlotte Vet Center

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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First-time visitor to the Charlotte Vet Center? Give us a call and let's discuss any questions you might have.  Call  to schedule an appointment with one of our counselors. 

We are currently offering virtual appointments.

Many of our services are available on a walk-in basis. 

Making an appointment:

After your initial contact with us, the Vet Center Director will be notified of your interest and will work to match you with a counselor.  You can expect a return call within 1-2 business days, and we should be able to schedule your first appointment within 2-10 business days, depending on schedule availabilities. Anyone in crisis will have their needs addressed immediately. 

Contacting us:

You can call us anytime during our posted hours of operation.  If you need to call outside of those times, on weekends, or holidays, the Vet Center Call Center is available 24/7 at 877-927-8387. Calling our mainline after hours will automatically send you to the Vet Center Call Center.

Canceling or rescheduling an appointment:

If you know you will miss an appointment, please notify us as soon as possible so we can reschedule your appointment and make that time available for another Veteran. 

If you are planning your trip to the Charlotte Vet Center, you can ride the https://www.charlottenc.gov/CATS/Rail. Then, catch the Bus - Charlotte Area Transit System (charlottenc.gov).  The bus will stop near the intersection of Mallard Creek and Ben Craig which is in front of the Charlotte Vet Center.

We have a small parking lot in front of the Charlotte Vet Center that we share with another business.  There are 2 accessible parking spaces in front of our building with ease of access to our front entrance.  Please avoid parking in front of the daycare center around the corner from the Vet Center.

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.

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. 

Charlotte Vet Center VA Benefits class

The Charlotte Vet Center has partnered up with the Military Services Coordinator to conduct a monthly benefits class to educate Veterans on their VA benefits.  The Class is every 4th Thursday of the month, starting at 10 am until 4 pm.

Charlotte Vet Center new client orientation class

We are offering a new client orientation class every Tuesday of the month.  If you are interested in becoming a new client of the Charlotte Vet Center, please call to get scheduled for one of our classes.  

Counseling services

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We offer couples and family counseling to support you as you work toward meeting your goals.

We are happy to meet together with you and your family members based upon your needs. We have a Marriage and Family Counselor who specializes in helping families function their best! 

If someone close to you has died or you’re adjusting to a difficult life change, we’re here to support you.

We are here to support you if a loved one has died while serving on Active Duty, or in the National Guard / Reserve.  We provide counseling at no charge.

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 also specialize in working with the unique needs of first responders, female Veterans, Combat Veterans, as well as all Post 9/11 Veterans.

We commonly address the following concerns:

  • Anxiety and stress reactions
  • Depression and lack of motivation
  • Sleep difficulties, including sleep problems caused by shift work
  • Anger, aggressive behavior, and reckless behaviors
  • Difficulties adjusting to civilian life following a deployment or activation

Here are some of the evidence-based treatments we offer:

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD (CPT)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)
  • Whole Health
  • Supportive Therapy

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.

We have a male and female counselor who specializes in helping Veterans heal from MST.

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 are feeling on edge and on guard, having trouble with sleep, motivation, or mood, or just feeling unlike yourself following a major event or critical incident, we can teach you tools to manage these problems and get back on track. Asking for help takes courage and we provide a private, comfortable setting with expert counselors to help you take that next step. Our counselors are specifically trained in helping individuals heal from trauma. 

We commonly address the following concerns:

  • Anxiety and stress reactions
  • Depression and lack of motivation
  • Sleep difficulties, including sleep problems caused by shift work
  • Anger, aggressive behavior, and reckless behaviors
  • Difficulties adjusting to civilian life following a deployment or activation

Here are some of the evidence-based treatments we offer:

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD (CPT)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)
  • Whole Health
  • Supportive Therapy

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.

We recognize that completing military service can come with a variety of new challenges. Navigating the VA system and other benefits alone can be overwhelming.  We can provide education and connection for: 

  • Enrollment in VA healthcare benefits
  • Filing a military-related disability claim
  • Connection to employment opportunities
  • Using VA Education Benefits
  • Using your VA Home Loan
  • Connecting to state benefits and services

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.

We can refer you for help with any substance use problems relating to unhealthy alcohol use or drug abuse to a life-threatening addiction. Unhealthy substance use often goes hand in hand with PTSD, depression, or stress.  We can connect you to more intensive or comprehensive substance use treatment programs within VA or in our North Carolina community if needed.

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 primary focus is your safety!  If you feel hopeless, suicidal, or in need of crisis care, just let your counselor know so you can work together to help you feel safer and more optimistic about your future.  Should you need the Veterans Crisis Line, in addition to calling them, you can also reach them via confidential chat at Veterans Crisis Line or text to 838255.  Together we work to help you stay safe and improve your world.

We can help connect you to VA and community resources that will support you in achieving your goals.

We understand that searching through the vast variety of Veteran resources can be challenging.  Let the Charlotte Vet Center help you navigate these resources.  We can refer, connect, and ensure you have information on your VA benefits. To learn more about VA benefits and local Veteran agencies that can assist with VA benefits and veteran programs please click on the below hyperlinks.

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.

We are committed to functioning as a focal point where Veterans, service members, and community partners can connect and engage. The Charlotte Vet Center can be your one-stop shop to connect with all local Veteran agencies.  We actively partner with numerous local agencies. 

Charlotte Vet Center supports local Veterans and service members through partnerships with local universities, businesses, military installations, working with local law enforcement and National Guard Armories. We also provide referrals to Veteran Service Organizations in the community.

Please call if you or your organization is interested in learning more about all the ways to partner with the Charlotte Vet Center.

Additionally, we value the role of connecting Veterans with each other.  We sponsor and host recreational and social events to help Veterans meet and connect.  Two examples include our Vietnam Veteran ceremony and our Christmas drive-thru.

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: 

  • 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 (TTY:711). We’re here 24/7.

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.