Whole Health

The Introduction to Whole Health Class is open to all Veterans, their support system (spouse, partner, child, caregiver, parent, etc.) and VA employees to learn more about the VA's cutting- edge approach to healthcare that supports your health and well being by focusing on what matters to you.

Introduction to Whole Health Class will cover: 

• Whole Health approach to care
• Concepts behind Whole Health living
• Available Whole Health offerings
• How to begin your Whole Health journey 

Two Introduction to Whole Health Classes are offered each month: 

• 1st Thursday from 1:00pm to 2:30pm (VA Video Connect)
• 3rd Wednesday from 10:30am to 12:00pm (in-person)
• Individual appointments can also be accommodated to meet your scheduling needs.

To sign up, call or ask your healthcare team to place an Introduction to Whole Health Class consult for you.

Optimizing well-being by assisting you to achieve your health goals based on what is important to you.

Health Coaching helps you to realize your goals based on your values and strengths. As you work with a health coach you can expect to:

• Explore mindfulness
• Explore what matters to you
• Participate in self-care strategies
• Make behavior changes based on your value

Health Coaching addresses all aspects of you as a person, including your mind, body, and spirit. Health Coaching does not replace your current health care team. Coaches do not provide therapy or give clinical advice.

You focus on changing behaviors that are important to your life. Behavior and lifestyle changes become less of “one more thing to do,” and more about living the life you want to live.

Health coaches believe a client is an expert in their own health. Coaching services are FREE and available in a variety of formats to best fit your preferences.

Individual Coaching:

• Work 1:1 with a Health and Wellness Coach.
• Appointments offered Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Formats include in-person, virtual (VA Video Connect), and telephone.

Sign up for coaching today! Call to self enroll or ask your healthcare team for a referral.

Diabetes Wellness Group

• What is it?
  • 6-week group for Veterans living with diabetes
  • Learn skills to manage difficulties with motivation and distress
• When is it?
  • Virtual (VA Video Connect)
  • Dates and times vary

Gateway to Healthy Living

• What is it?
  • One-time class with 2 follow-up calls from the group provider
  • Focused on what is MOST important to YOU!
  • Learn skills to manage roadblocks, change routines, commit to changes, and create realistic goals.
• When is it?
  • 1st Thursday of the month from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Held virtually OR over the phone

Sign up today, call or ask your healthcare team for a referral.

Art Therapy Groups (Operation art and story corps)

Operation Art

Explores various art media while working on directives that promote self-exploration. Connect more deeply with yourself & fellow Veterans as you develop creative expression skills. Gain insights from the art process and discussions. You may discover new sources of enjoyment. 

No previous art experience needed. Art kit provided. Please join us remotely, Thursdays 10:00 a.m.- noon. For a 12-week Art Therapy group that meets virtually. 

To enroll, either call or ask your healthcare team to place an Operation Art consult.

Story Corps

Connect with fellow Veterans as you share your story. Be seen and heard while developing creative expression skills. Gain insights from the process and discussions. You may discover hidden talents & new sources of enjoyment. No previous art experience needed. 

Please join us remotely for a 12-week Art Therapy group that meets virtually. Two cohorts are offered:

• Mondays from 9:30 - 11:30am (VA Video Connect)
• Thursdays 10:00am - 12:00pm (VA Video Connect)

To enroll, either call  12346 or ask your healthcare team to place a Story Corps consult.

Creative Manual Arts (Ceramics, gardening, and wood working)

The goal of our Creative Manual Arts (CMA) services is to help Veterans improve their overall well-being by assisting them in recognizing their purpose through achievement, improved mobility and motor skills. Through participation, Veterans will discover the therapeutic benefits of gardening and the manual arts while socializing with other Veterans.

Ceramics - aims to create a therapeutic environment in which Veterans can explore the healing properties of working with clay. This clinic offers a collaborative space for Veterans to acquire new skills while exchanging ideas and techniques. Participants will have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clays, paints, and glazes. Additionally, the program will introduce Veterans to the art of mosaics.

Woodworking - the objective of the Woodworking Clinic is to cultivate a therapeutic environment that enables Veterans to acquire essential woodworking skills. The clinic is equipped with a range of woodworking tools and equipment, offering a collaborative space where Veterans can gather to enhance their skills, exchange ideas, and explore various techniques.

Gardening - Veterans will participate in the planting, cultivation, watering, and overall maintenance of our Patients’ Garden. This initiative provides an opportunity to engage in outdoor activities, acquire gardening skills, and enhance plant knowledge within a therapeutic group environment. The Patients’ Garden is designed as a serene and welcoming space, appreciated by Veterans, staff, volunteers, and visitors alike.

Am I eligible to participate?

In order to be evaluated for participation, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be eligible for medical services through the VA and have been referred by your provider via a PM&R Creative Manual Arts consult. (You will be contacted by staff within 2 weeks of receipt of your consult for services.)
• You must be cleared by your provider that you are physically and psychiatrically stable with any limitations/precautions noted in the referral.
• You must have a desire to participate in group therapeutic activities.

Acupuncture 

Offered through Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service

Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a type of mind-body technique you use to control some of your body's 
functions, such as your heart rate, breathing patterns and muscle responses. During 
biofeedback, you're connected to an ear sensor clip that help you get information about your 
body.

In-Person Biofeedback Group Information:

• Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 am, 90 minutes, 6 consecutive weeks
• Ask your healthcare team for a Biofeedback Group consult

Clinical Hypnosis

Clinical Hypnosis is the process of being guided into a trance state by a trained professional and then utilizing that state to encourage helpful cognitive, emotional, or physical healing responses. A trance is a natural biological state of inner absorption, concentration and focused attention. When you are hypnotized, you are in a specific state of focused attention that makes you more susceptible to suggestions that are geared towards a particular health goal or behavior change. 

Hypnosis Benefits

• Hypnosis can help you reach your goals faster
• Hypnosis can help improve your mental and physical health outcomes
• Hypnosis can help you quiet your mind and learn techniques to better manage stress and other problematic symptoms

Ask your healthcare team for a Clinical Hypnosis consult.

Hypnosis is offered virtually or in person at VA Long Beach

Healing Touch

Healing Touch is energy healing - a holistic practice where certified healers work with you to help balance, harmonize, heal and remove blockages from the body. 

Offered every Thursday except for the 5th Thursday of the month
For more information: Linda Garrow,

Mantram Repetition for Rapid Relaxation 

Are you stressed, but don’t have time to learn Stress Management skills?

Frequently and silently repeating a mantram, a sacred word or phrase may be a strategy for you.

This is a 6-week training on techniques for calming the mind and reducing anxiety, fear, or other unwanted emotions. This class can help you with your WHOLE HEALTH component: Power of the Mind/ Relaxation and Healing

Class size is limited, must be scheduled, no walk-ins ~ Veterans, please have your provider enter Primary Care/ Mantram consult or call to reserve a space:

Gina De Ocampo, RN
Cecilia Armenta, RN

Massage Therapy for Treatment 

Offered through Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service

Tai Chi for Better Balance

This 12-week class can improve your balance, reduce stress, and improve your physical well-being. 

Offered in-person on Mondays at 3:00 p.m. or Thursdays at 9:00 a.m.
To be enrolled, contact your Primary Care Provider today for a REHAB PM&R KT OUTPT CONSULT

Women Owning Wellness

Improve physical and mental well-being in an all female group. Sessions include group discussions, Tai-Chi, physical activities, and mindfulness exercises.

12 WEEKS
Tuesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in-person group and Thursdays one (1) hour one-on-one via VVC

For more information, please contact Gladys Yu at

Yoga

Join our certified yoga therapists, Kathy Du Vernet, M.S. and Hiroko Urushido for gentle yoga to help chronic conditions such as fatigue, pain, stress, insomnia or grief.

Whole Health Yoga therapists will teach you breathing exercises, gentle mindfulness movement, guided imagery and guided relaxation.

To enroll: request a consult from you Primary Care Team