Free Clinical Counselling for War Trauma — Any Discharge, Families Included
No-cost, confidential, outpatient clinical counselling contracted by the veterans affairs department. Discharge status does not gate it. Guard and reserve members deployed in support of war and peacekeeping missions qualify, and family members can be seen where the issue is military-related.
Verified August 23, 2026
What this benefit is
No-cost, confidential, outpatient clinical counselling contracted by the veterans affairs department. Discharge status does not gate it. Guard and reserve members deployed in support of war and peacekeeping missions qualify, and family members can be seen where the issue is military-related.
What it's worth: No cost — the department pays for the counselling sessions
- The department states it covers the cost of the counselling sessions. There is no copay figure to publish because the department does not charge one.
- The service is individual, couples, family and group counselling, delivered by contracted clinicians rather than in a department clinic.
- One county funds its own share differently: King County services are supported by the county’s Seniors, Veterans and Human Services Levy, and the county page states eligibility for veterans, service members and their families living there regardless of discharge status.
Who is entitled to it
- The programme serves veterans and serving members in their own right.
- Spouses, domestic partners, children and dependent relatives can be seen where the need stems from military service.
- Your home is in Washington.
Not sure whether that describes you?
Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.
How to claim it
- 1Find a counsellor by county in the department’s counsellor directory, or call 1-800-562-2308 and ask to be pointed at one.
- 2Contact the counsellor yourself. There is no central intake form standing between you and the first appointment.
- 3Bring a DD Form 214 or an NG Form 22 to the first appointment. That is what the department asks for.
- 4Do not screen yourself out on discharge. The department states eligibility applies regardless of discharge status, though the length-of-service requirement varies by county.
- 5If you served in the Guard or the reserves, say so plainly: the programme covers war-affected Guard and reserve members deployed in support of the nation’s war and peacekeeping missions.
- 6Ask about the specialised groups. Some contracted providers run groups specifically for women veterans and for military spouses.
- 7Ask for a referral onward if you need one. The programme refers to VA Medical Centers or Vet Centers where that is the better fit.
- Form
- None — contact a contracted counsellor directly
- File with
- A counsellor from the department’s directory for your county
- Documents you will need
- dd214
- No renewal
- Once granted it does not need renewing.
Sources
- authority · published policyWashington State Department of Veterans Affairs — Counseling and Wellness Program (also known as the PTSD Counseling Program): no cost, clinical, out-patient confidential counselling; veterans of any discharge status with a military service requirement that varies by county; war-affected National Guard and reservists deployed in support of the nation’s war and peacekeeping missions; spouses, domestic partners, children and dependent relatives where the mental health need stems from military service; the department covers the cost of counselling sessions; individual, couples, family and group counselling; DD Form 214 or NG Form 22 required at the first appointment
- operating · published policyWashington State Department of Veterans Affairs — benefits index listing PTSD counselling (War Trauma Program), traumatic brain injury services, suicide prevention and support among the department’s health and wellness programmes
This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.