1. Trauma Recovery Center at Fort Thomas, KY (part of the Cincinnati VA). 

• Call 859-572-6208. See www.cincinnati.va.gov/services/ptsd_mental_health.asp. The residential PTSD programs are comprised of intensive 7-week programs for male and female Veterans, and an intensive 8-week program for Veterans with both PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Trauma is addressed using cognitive processing therapy in individual and group sessions. Additional therapy groups include anger management, relaxation skill training, communication training, and sleep management. Veterans in the PTSD/TBI program receive additional services including a full neuropsychological examination, speech pathology evaluation and treatment, and occupational and physical therapy as needed. Admission to either the residential or outpatient programs begins with a consult; speak to your VA practitioner. A screening interview will be required. A clinician referral packet is also required from vets applying to the residential program. Note: There are a number of VA Medical Centers with intensive inpatient care for PTSD and for dual diagnoses with substance abuse. Ask your behavioral health provider about the options, even if the Cincinnati one is not available for some reason.

2. The Refuge – A Healing Place Disorder

• Located in Ocklawaha, FL. 866-473-3843. See www.therefuge-ahealingplace.com. This is a residential treatment program for addictions, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and others. It is set in rural Florida surrounded by miles of nature. They are a 12-step-oriented residential treatment center that recognizes the connection between mind, body, and spirit. They are not a Christian program, but they do appear to be faith-friendly and they promote spiritual healing. They do not accept Tricare. In addition to various therapies, they offer recreational activities such as yoga, canoeing, fishing, and horseback riding. They incorporate 12-Step workshops and meetings as part of our care so as to foster a sense of camaraderie among clients who are wrestling with similar concerns. They also have a 7-10 day medical detox center for anyone dependent on alcohol or any drug, including opioids. 

3.  The Center: A Place of Hope Christian Counseling

• Near Seattle. 888-771-5166. See their web site at www.aplaceofhopechristiancounseling.com. The Center does not take Tricare, and they do not accept any federally-funded insurance or payments like the VA. They are a private company that accepts a large number of private insurance companies. Their care is residential and very holistic, with about 6 hours per day of treatment, 6 days a week, and most people stay about 4-6 weeks. Their apartments look very modern. This appears to be a great option if you have private insurance, or some other private funding source, and if you desire a Christian focus in your treatment. 

4. Warrior’s Heart

• Call 888-438-6616. POC: Justin Jordan. See https://www.warriorsheart.com/.They are a private treatment center located on a 540 acre ranch in the hill country about 1 hour north of San Antonio, TX. They are faith friendly and promote spiritual healing. They accept both Tricare and VA Choice, either of which may involve co-pays. Be sure to ask your behavioral health provider to refer you to this program by name. The key aspect of this program is that every patient must qualify for a substance abuse (SA) diagnosis, even if the main issue is PTSD. They do not offer any TBI treatment. Military patients only interact with other military patients, and not with civilians. Their treatment model of choice is EMDR daily for 4 days each week, a very sound strategy. The program is normally 6 weeks, longer as needed. They have a max of 25 patients and stay pretty full, but they can often get in new people in less than a week. They do not allow direct (in-person) family interaction during the week, only on Sat. 

5. Operation Mend at UCLA Center

• See their website, http://operationmend.ucla.edu/. This program is free to vets. See operationmend.ucla.edu. To determine eligibility, call 310-267-2110. It has been in operation since 2012, and they seem to focus on providing free surgeries to take care of medical issues, but they also treat addictions, PTSD, and TBI. They sometimes provide up to 4-5 operations over 1-2 years to promote healing, so it is not just a short-term program. They feel a duty to give back to the brave vets who have given so much to our nation. They are bringing the best of private, academic medicine to partner with the military to care for vets. 

6. Patriot Support Programs

• This is a private network of 24 treatment centers around the country who provide treatment to vets and their families. For example, “Strong Hope” Men’s and Women’s programs in Salt Lake City is part of this network. It has a trauma support program with dedicated and separate male and female treatment units. Cognitive Processing Therapy is their main treatment method for PTSD, but they also offer EMDR in individual therapy. A lot of their treatment is group-based, with twice-weekly individual sessions. The average stay is 4-5 weeks. They take a lot of active duty patients, but also take vets. They take VA Choice and Tricare, but the VA primary provider has to initiate a referral to Tricare, and mention specifically the Salt Lake City site. They try to do a family session each week in person or by telephone. POC is Dustin for all military patients for Salt Lake City, 877-640-0220.
• All Patriot Support Programs accept Tricare, referrals from the VA, VA Choice, and most other insurance. They treat substance abuse/ dependency, PTSD, complex trauma, sexual trauma, and other issues. Universal Health Services (UHS) is the main company. Their 24 facilities have dedicated military-only units so warriors (active and vets) are not in treatment with civilians. They have a spiritual component to their care as well. After treatment is complete, they have care coordinators to help plug patients into AA programs or other follow-on services. No support for families on site, only by telephone. Most programs are 4 weeks. There is rarely a waiting list, and most people get in within a few days of the initial contact. Each site typically has all the PTSD treatment methods available, and they develop individual treatment plans. Call 888-505-1475. POC: Andy Lanning. See the web site, https://patriotsupportprogram.com/.

7. Laurel Ridge Treatment Center

• Rodney Norman is the military liaison. 210-725-4734. See their web site, https://laurelridgetc.com/programs/military-dependents/. They are a large 250-bed, 18 acre campus in San Antonio and have a specific military program. You must have a referral from the VA, or you can use other insurance. They accept Tricare and Medicare as well, but no mention of VA Choice. Vets who need PTSD inpatient will be screened to see if they are OK being treated alongside active duty. They treat PTSD using prolonged exposure and cognitive processing therapy, but not EMDR. They also treat substance abuse issues, as well as dual diagnoses (SA and PTSD). Patients can be referred, assessed, and admitted 24/7. No mention of a spiritual component, other than they provide transportation to local churches on Sundays. Patients participate in groups, individual & family therapy, and discharge planning.

8. FLAGS Program at Vermilion Behavioral Health

• Lafayette, LA. (Forgiving Losses and Gaining Strengths). Tony Miller, military affairs manager, 855-980-6684. See www.acadiavermilion.com/programs/military. This is a comprehensive treatment program that can address detox needs, treat PTSD with all of the major treatment methods, and they offer a number of other methods to help warriors deal with stress, such as equine therapy, recreation therapy, anger reduction, and spiritual support. Families are welcome to participate fully in the development and implementation of a recovery program through online communication, or spouses can live locally (such as an extended stay hotel at their own cost) and participate daily in appropriate treatment activities. They have a 22-bed facility that is mostly a military population. Usually will have an opening with a few days, if not immediately. Inpatient care is typically 28-30 days, but could be longer or shorter depending on the diagnosis and insurance coverage. They accept BCBS, Tricare, referrals from the VA, and VA Choice. They have a lot of military Medicare patients who also have Tricare for Life. They can also provide daily treatment by outpatient status if that is appropriate, and they can help find programs that can help with lodging.