Pasco County 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? Give us a call and let’s discuss how we can help. Call 727-372-1854 to schedule an appointment with one of our counselors. Many of our services are available on a walk-in basis.
Making an appointment
After your initial contact with us, you can expect a return call within 1 to 2 business days. We’ll schedule your first appointment within 2 to 10 business days.
Contacting us
You can call us any time during our posted hours of operation. If you need to call outside of those times, on weekends, or holidays, the Vet Center Call Center is available 24/7 at 727-372-1854.
Canceling or rescheduling an appointment
If you know you’ll miss an appointment, please notify us as soon as possible so we can reschedule your appointment and make that time available for another Veteran.
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 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 have a large, well-lit parking area. Feel free to park in any available space.
There’s an accessible entrance and parking available.
Pasco County Public Transportation (GOPASCO) is free for all Veterans and active-duty military.
To take advantage of this offer on all fixed-service transit routes, show one of these forms of identification to a GOPASCO bus driver:
- Military ID card
- DD Form 2
- Valid VA card
- “V” on driver’s license
- GOPASCO Veterans photo ID card
A GOPASCO Veterans photo ID card is available at the GOPASCO Administrative Office located at 8620 Galen Wilson Boulevard in Port Richey. Bring military service information.
Check maps and schedules at Pasco County Public Transportation (gopasco.com)
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.
Vet Centers can help you
Veterans tell their story on the services they received and how the Vet Center helped them in their healing process.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) can help
A Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Service Officer is on-site at our location on Mondays and Wednesdays to help with claims. Appointments are available from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. To schedule, you can call us at 727-372-1854.
Counseling services
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We offer couples and family counseling to support you as you work toward meeting your goals.
We also offer opportunities for your partner or other family members to join your individual therapy sessions, as needed. This can provide an opportunity for your family members to learn more about your needs and ways to best support you during your treatment.
If someone close to you has died or you’re adjusting to a difficult life change, we’re here to support you.
We can offer counseling and other support, such as:
- Bereavement counseling for families who have lost a loved one while they were serving on active duty
- Grief counseling
- Contact information to the Veterans Benefits Administration and National Cemetery Administration regarding possible burial and survival 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 and group counseling to meet your needs. Care at our center includes:
- Anger management
- Stress management
- Activity engagement
We offer evidence-based practices including:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Mindfulness
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Groups are also available and require a referral to join:
- PTSD support group (Vietnam Veterans)
- Empowerment (women only)
- Vietnam Veteran support groups
- Desert Storm, OIF/OEF support group
- Faith-based support group
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.
We have male and female counselors available to meet with you based on your preference.
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 use evidence-based therapies, such as:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Mindfulness
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Motivational Interviewing (MI)
We also have groups available, such as:
- PTSD support group (Vietnam Veterans)
- Empowerment (women only)
- Vietnam Veteran support groups
- Desert Storm, OIF/OEF support group
- Faith-based support group
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 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
We can also connect you to Veterans Service Organizations in your community.
A Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Service Officer is here Monday and Wednesday mornings by appointment. Appointments are available at 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.
To schedule an appointment, call us at 727-372-1854.
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 can also connect you to the VA Medical Center Substance Use Disorder Treatment program (SUD standard outpatient clinic) or local community providers.
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.
We collaborate with the local Tampa VA Medical Center Suicide Prevention Coordinator to address your needs.
We can help connect you to VA and community resources that will support you in achieving your goals.
We can help you learn where to go for services like these:
- VA medical benefits and register for care
- File claims and other forms
- Understanding and using your VA education benefits
We can also connect you to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) partners and others who can help with the readjustment process.
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.
If you or your organization would like to learn about military culture or how you can support the Veteran and military community, we can provide individual or group educational briefings. Call us to learn more.
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.