Buffalo 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 readjustment, depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST). We can also connect you with more support in the 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
We're currently conducting all regularly scheduled appointments virtually. We expect our Vet Center to open in January, 2025. If you need to speak with someone confidentially, please call us anytime day or night at
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.
For information on scheduling an appointment, please call the Vet Center at
You can then schedule an in-person, phone, or virtual appointment with one of our team members.
You can walk in and talk to our office manager to schedule a future appointment as well.
Anyone in crisis will be seen the same day.
Ample free parking is available in front of our building or on the side of the building.
Please enter the reception area/lobby via the front entry doors.
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.
We are located on the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority - Bus Route 34.
You can plan your trip at Metro Bus & Rail.
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.
The VBA at the Vet Center
The Veteran Service Representative explains benefit programs, entitlement criteria, conducts interviews, and inputs data necessary to generate the award letter to the veteran. VSR's are available every Monday, 8am - 4:30pm.
Mindful Meditation
Meditation classes for clients. Participate in mindful breathing practices held in a safe, non-judgmental environment. It is offered virtually now. We look forward to offering this in person again soon. Call for more information.
Counseling services
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We offer couples and family counseling to support you as you work toward meeting your goals.
The Buffalo Vet Center offers couples and family counseling, no matter how your relationships are built. We can do so in person and via telehealth. If we are unable to see you at the Buffalo Vet Center, we will link you with another Vet Center that may better meet your needs.
Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment at
If someone close to you has died or you’re adjusting to a difficult life change, we’re here to support you.
Our staff is trained to help in grief support.
Please contact us to set up an appointment at
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're here to support your needs, whether individually or in a group setting.
Our staff members are trained in different therapies, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).
Please contact us for more information or to set up an appointment at
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.
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is not something to overcome alone.
Buffalo Vet Center counselors can help you and encourage you on the journey whether through a group or one on one counseling.
A VSR specifically trained to work with individuals who have experienced MST and are seeking assistance with related VBA services, is on site.
Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment at
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.
PTSD does not have to hold you back from life! We can help you toward Post Traumatic Growth with :
- evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- group sessions
- socialization and recreation activities
- one on one counseling
You can contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment at
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.
The Buffalo Vet Center offers care to returning service members, regardless of which conflict you served in.
Please contact us at
Whole health puts you—instead of your illnesses or conditions—at the center of care. We’ll work with you to develop a personalized health plan based on your values, needs, and goals.
The Buffalo Vet Center offers support during times of illness or mental health stress. We can talk with you about your concerns and help you to work through them.
The Buffalo Vet Center has many connections in the local community.
Please contact us at
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.
The Buffalo Vet Center can help you overcome substance use problems, from unhealthy alcohol use to life-threatening addiction. We do not provide substance abuse treatment. However, we will connect you to services for your specific needs.
Please contact us at
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.
Suicide is not the only option! If you are struggling, we are here for you and can connect you with ongoing counseling and services.
We can help connect you to VA and community resources that will support you in achieving your goals.
We understand that the transition from military to civilian life can be a challenge. We offer a variety of ways to assist you in that process such as:
- How to get VA medical benefits and register for care
- Where to go to file claims and other forms
- Understanding your VA education benefits
- Housing and home loans
- Education and referral for VA burial benefits
The Buffalo Vet Center can also connect you to Veterans Service Organizations in your community.
Please contact us to set up an appointment at
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 Buffalo Vet Center wants to make connections to Veteran advocates in the local community.
Does your organization offer a service to strengthen Veterans and/or their families? We'd love to know more!
Please contact Bob at
We offer secure and confidential individual and group counseling through telehealth. You can schedule a phone or video appointment for Vet Center services.
Can't make it to our location for an appointment? No worries...we offer telehealth and phone appointments too.
Please contact us to set up an appointment 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
-
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.