Denver Vet Center - Denver, Colorado

Agimus

I was feeling suicidal and I couldn't stop thinking about me. I was assigned to a therapist, and she just forgot to call me. Sonia didn't do assessments until a few sessions in and didn't document anything. She also made several mistakes and blamed others, and then tried to gaslight me. She didn't know how to refer me or let me speak to a doctor. It just shows that therapy has no definition or standard. She started therapy by saying that she doesn't do what other therapists do and she's just making it up as she goes along. It shows that therapy has no definition or standard. Then, she explained that all mental problems in the military were from a toxic culture, and then tried to get me to express my emotions.

You have to understand that the VA pay scale is not competitive, and you can basically produce the worst product and never get fired, so this is the worst system in the country. It never worked, that I'm aware of. Most veterans that I talk to say that they had to pay, out-of-pocket, to get private insurance because there is nothing that you can do about it.

They are more likely to hurt veterans than to help.

Edit: They called me back, and I was reassigned to someone who is also a veteran. He is systematic, and every session is a huge help. I'm going to keep going.

I've worked as a government employee. It's my experience that there are always people who are taking on all of the responsibility and often overworked to hold things together because of their empathy, while people who can't or won't perform have no accountability and a free ride.

Use any Vet Center at your own risk. I think they're also somewhat limited in what they can treat. Insurance is probably a better option.

Jakob M.

I went here for a couple of years and I went from bad to worse. I showed up here really wanting to make changes in my life and become more social while learning my limitations. The counselor I worked with really just put me down for the most part and told me that I had a chemical imbalance and that no therapy would help me and that I needed to take medications. I started taking medications and went from just having anger issues to being chronically suicidal. My counselor and the psychiatrist both said this is ok because you are taking the meds like you're being told and you are coming to counseling individual and group sessions. I basically went there for a couple years and was mentally beat down; I did everything they told me to do and got worse. I wanted to get off medications and my psychiatrist refused to give me smaller tablets to begin weaning off and told me to do it on my own. Once I started getting off the medications I began to feel much better. My psychiatrist was very upset with me and when I told her I am no longer suicidal; she told me that I was being reckless and needed to get back on all the meds. She regularly would bring up people places and things that did not apply to me and she was clearly getting me confused with other patients. One day we were talking about the meds that I was still on and she asked me "Who put you on all this medication and how long have you been on it?" I replied you did over the last two years, she just looked confused. I ended up leaving the Vet center in 2017 and seeking out counselors outside the VA. I was able to deal with many of my issues and get off of medication completely. Today in 2023 I am no longer suicidal and I have a much richer social life. If the VA is not working for you or your wait times are over 30 days to get mental health help; request the VA assign community care providers and interview these people. I now use Sondermind through the VA community care program and I am able to interview and change counselors as needed without any issues. I have had to do a lot of work on myself and it was difficult but life is good today.

J C.

Things have changed for the better at the Vet Center. I've returned to find therapy that has been very beneficial to my mental health. I can honestly say that my outlook on life has improved tremendously. I am thankful to have the therapist I have here. I would highly recommend any fellow veteran who is struggling to come here. They are real and they are.

Chris T.

I went in for an intake appointment optimistic, despite the counselor seeming quite rude on the inital phone interview. She was equally rude in person, and i left feeling even more frustrated in my search for finding a therapist that is financially covered through the VA. I also expressed my concerns for privacy ( not in regards to harming myself or others )which apparently there is none of with this organization. I left upset and with a bad taste in my mouth. Fortunately there was a fellow vet social worker downstairs at the VOA building that was able to hear me out off the record and I regained a bit of optimism. I regret not listening to my instinct that this is not the right place for me. You may have better luck , but word is my experience is the norm here.

Jesters C.

This is the only veteran related office that I've had good experiences with. First time a therapist has actually listened to concerns with medication after active duty just shoved pills down my throat with little regard for how it affected me. Only veteran services location that I intend to use in the future.

Ishmael D.

This is honestly the best VA staff I have ever worked with. I received the counseling and support I needed, everyone was personal and professional, and competent at their jobs. Thank you to the great people in that office for helping this Vet get things sorted out.

Travis P.

I am quite happy with the transition that was able to be made from the hospital in Temple, Texas to the one in Denver, Colorado. Staff is very helpful and my records were complete and in tact.

The records for a legal case was transitioned here to Denver without any tampering from individuals from the unit I was stationed with at Fort Hood and Bell County, Texas. I thank the VA for seeing the problem and helping to put an end to the corruption and criminal intent.

Thank you U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

Kim F.

I’ve been going here for 6 years now. It’s the only place I have felt comfortable expressing my self and that have social workers and psychiatrists who actually care, from my experiences. Pam is amazing and so is Dr. Tank.