Empowering Care: Professional Counseling in Veterans Health Administration

The counseling profession originated in the late 1800s to offer post-war employment counseling for Civil War Veterans. Since then, professional counselors have consistently provided empowering and compassionate care for individuals across all stages of life. 

Professional counselors have a distinct professional identity and licensure path. To become licensed, trainees must earn a master’s or doctoral degree from a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP) educational institution, pass a national board examination, complete a two-to-three-year period of supervised patient care, and obtain an independent state license. State licenses are referred to as Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) depending on the state. 

Like psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and clinical social workers, professional counselors offer individual, group, and family therapies. They focus on helping diverse individuals and families work through mental health challenges, problem solving, personal growth, among other areas. Counselors specialize in evidence-based holistic approaches that consider developmental stages, cultural diversity, and the biopsychosocial-spiritual aspects of individuals seeking care. Professional counseling creates a robust therapeutic alliance that promotes dignity and unconditional positive regard for each person and their chosen goals. 

Within the Veteran Health Administration (VHA), counselors work across various stages such as hospitals, residential programs, and outpatient clinics. They provide interventions for mental health conditions, relationship concerns, post-military transition stress, substance use concerns, career development, housing needs, and more. VHA counselors are also engaged in safety risk mitigation, inpatient care coordination, case management, and community stakeholder collaboration.