Bismarck 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
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First-time visitor? Stop by during our office hours or give us a call and let’s discuss how we can help. Call 701-224-9751 to schedule an appointment with one of our counselors.
We understand that you may not know what to expect for your first counseling appointment with us. On your first visit:
- You’ll complete an intake packet that includes Vet Center confidentiality, demographic information, a release of information form (optional), and assessments as appropriate.
- You’ll be evaluated to ensure that you and those around you are safe.
- You and your counselor will begin to establish and develop a treatment plan that is appropriate to your needs.
- We'll schedule follow-up appointments as appropriate and as determined by your counselor.
If you walk in during our office hours, you’ll be greeted by members of our team. A counselor will meet with you and discuss how we can assist you on your journey.
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 check for one or more of the following:
- Discharge documents (such as a DD214) or a Active Military ID.
- Receipt of certain awards
- Deployment orders
- Other documents that show qualifying military service
- A list of your current medications, including dosage and frequency
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 also answer any questions you might have.
Our main entrance faces east on the east end of the building. Enter through the first set of doors and the Vet Center door will be right in front of you. There's also an entrance on the south side of the building in the middle.
Parking is located on the east, south, and west side of the building. There are accessible parking spots in the south side of the building next to the entrance.
ADA-compliant doors are on the south side entrance.
There are 2 spots reserved on the east side for Vet Center clients.
The Bis-Man Transit Service provides public transportation to Bismarck, Mandan, and Lincoln.
The closest stop to the Bismarck Vet Center is approximately 1 mile away near Dan's Supermarket on Washington Street. This is Stop B on the Blue Route.
Get more information about the Blue Route
Learn more about Bis-Man Transit services
Or call:
- 701-323-9228, option 1 for the CAT (Capital Area Transit) Bus
- 701-223-9001, option 2 for Paratransit
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.
Road Construction in Area Causing Delays
Due to ongoing road construction on Bismarck Expressway and I-94, we suggest you allow yourself additional travel time in order to arrive on time for your scheduled appointment.
Equine Therapy Available
Horses and veterans are similar in a variety of ways, such as tending to be hyper-vigilant of their surroundings and potential dangers. Horses can steady a veteran's issues in the moment. Call us and talk to Kellie to find out more.
Counseling services
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We offer couples and family counseling to support you as you work toward meeting your goals.
We provide couples counseling as it relates to the care of the Veteran or service member.
We periodically host an educational group for significant others on the cycle of deployment and the impact of deployment. This group is open to adult significant others of Veterans and service members, from all eras, who are active clients of the Bismarck Vet Center.
Please contact us for upcoming dates and availability.
If someone close to you has died or you’re adjusting to a difficult life change, we’re here to support you.
We offer counseling and other support, such as:
- Bereavement counseling for families who have lost a loved one while they were serving on active duty
- Contact information to the Veterans Benefits Administration regarding possible burial and survivor benefits
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 individual, couples, and group counseling. We also provide referral services to appropriate resources in our community. Care at our center includes:
- Counseling sessions to address your individual concerns and needs
- Time limited groups are offered on a variety of topics. Contact the Vet Center to see what is currently offered.
Several of our staff are Veterans and understand the challenges you face.
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 knows no gender.
Our counselors use a trauma-informed care approach to provide therapy and supportive services to those who have experienced military sexual trauma.
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 individual, couples, and group counseling. We also provide referral services to appropriate resources in our community.
Care at our center includes counseling sessions to address your individual concerns and needs.
If you’re feeling on edge and on guard, having trouble with sleep or motivation, or just feeling unlike yourself following a major event or critical incident, we can help. We’ll teach you tools to manage these problems and get back on track. Asking for help takes courage. We provide the private, comfortable setting with expert counselors to help you take that next step.
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 know 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 health care 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
We're engaged with local military units through the Yellow Ribbon program to allow for interaction before, during, and after deployments.
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 work with and provide referrals to the Fargo VA Medical Center Behavioral Health Department. We also provide available information about community resources.
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. Together, we can work to help you stay safe and improve your world.
You can also text the Veterans Crisis Line at 838255 or visit the site for confidential chat.
We can help connect you to VA and community resources that will support you in achieving your goals.
Several of our staff are Veterans and understand the challenges you face.
We know 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 health care 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
We work hand-in-hand with a variety of agencies to connect Veterans with available resources.
One of our primary resources are our County and Tribal Veteran Service Officers.
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 partner with other groups in the Veteran world to serve as a referral resource for Veterans and service members.
Some of our partners include:
- Local County/Tribal Veteran Service Offices
- Veteran Service Organizations
- Various offices within the North Dakota National Guard and the Army Reserve
- North Dakota Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
- Job Service North Dakota
- North Dakota Veterans' Cemetery
- Community Action
We also provide briefings and education to various law enforcement agencies and others that may encounter Veterans on a variety of topics such as military culture and PTSD overview.
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.