SearchSpecialized Treatment for Veterans
Providing mental health treatment for our nation’s veterans as a participating provider in the VA Community Care Network (CCN)
Specialized Treatment for Veterans
Providing mental health treatment for our nation’s veterans as a participating providerin the VA Community Care Network (CCN)
Silver Pines is proud to be PsychArmor Certified as a Veteran Ready Healthcare Organization and is committed to providing expert-led mental health and addiction services to military veterans and their families.
Substance use disorders (SUDs) pose a significant health challenge for US veterans, with a lifetime prevalence estimated at 53%. This statistic highlights the impact of factors such as pain, trauma, suicide risk, and homelessness (VA Health Services Research & Development).
According to a recent report from the Veterans Administration:
- 1 in 3 veterans seeking addiction treatment also has PTSD.
- The suicide rate among veterans is over 66% higher than that of non-veteran adults.
Reaching out for help is a sign of strength and a courageous step in honoring your service and well-being.
If you are a service member struggling to cope, you may feel disconnected from yourself and others — but you are not alone. You deserve compassionate care from those who truly understand your experiences.
Silver Pines is proud to be PsychArmor Certified as a Veteran Ready Healthcare Organization dedicated to providing expert-led addiction and mental health services to military veterans and their families.
STR | Silver Pines is proud to be PsychArmor Certified as a Veteran Ready Healthcare Organization and is committed to providing expert-led mental health and addiction services to military veterans and their families.
Levels of Care
Detoxification
A safe and controlled environment where staff are medically equipped to manage and monitor withdrawal symptoms.
Residential Treatment (RTC)
A structured environment, away from daily life distractions and triggers, focusing on recovery and healing.
Our Treatment Approach for Veterans
Silver Pines offers comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions through our multi-disciplinary team of clinical and medical providers. Care is overseen by a board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Matthew Sommons, who completed his residency at the National Naval Medical Center and has extensive experience serving fellow veterans.
“We blend a deep understanding of military life with cutting-edge treatments to help veterans navigate their overall well-being. It’s not just about treating symptoms; it’s about recognizing each veteran’s unique experiences and fostering a path to healing that respects and builds on their service.” – Dr. Matthew Sommons
Silver Pines offers Veterans:
- Comprehensive evaluations and assessments conducted by a board-certified veteran psychiatrist.
- Weekly process groups that address the unique challenges faced by fellow veterans, including coping with PTSD, reintegrating into civilian life, and dealing with military-specific traumas.
- Support from a dedicated Veteran Recovery Specialist to guide you on your path to recovery.
Our Four Prong Approach
Service
People
We recognize that each veteran’s path to recovery is unique. To address their specific needs, we employ therapies such as motivational interviewing and family intervention, which engage both the individual and their support system. This holistic approach fosters a collaborative environment, promoting healing and resilience tailored to each veteran’s situation.
Values
The values instilled during military service, such as discipline and resilience, play a vital role in therapy. Approaches like Twelve Step Facilitation (TSF) and the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) align with these values by emphasizing personal responsibility and community support. This alignment helps ensure that treatment resonates with veterans’ core principles, fostering a sense of connection and purpose in their recovery journey.
Transition
The transition from military to civilian life is a significant and often challenging phase for veterans. Therapies such as Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are instrumental in this process. They help veterans develop effective coping strategies and adjust their mindsets, empowering them to navigate civilian life successfully.
Experienced Staff for Specialized Treatment
Harry Fisher, our primary therapist at Silver Pines, brings a wealth of experience to our tailored programming. With over 20 years as a retired police officer, he has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by veterans and first responders dealing with PTSD, trauma, and substance use disorders. His background as a drug and alcohol clinician at Firetree LTD and a mental health clinician at Children’s Service Center strengthens his capacity to support our clients effectively.
Harry is passionate about sharing his knowledge of the three principles of psychology and integrates techniques such as motivational interviewing, CBT, and DBT into his practice. His unique personal experiences and commitment to helping others make him a vital part of our team.
Harry is a student of the three principles of psychology and shares his knowledge by teaching them to others. He also incorporates and utilizes motivational interviewing, CBT, and DBT in his practice.
We Understand Veterans
- Understanding Military Culture and Language
This includes familiarity with military rank structure, branch-specific terminology, and the significance of certain experiences like deployments, combat, or military training. - Recognition of Service-Related Traumas
Competency in identifying and treating conditions common in veterans, such as PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and moral injury. This also involves understanding how these conditions can manifest differently in veterans compared to civilians. - Awareness of Military Transition Challenges
Recognizing the difficulties that can accompany the transition from military to civilian life, such as reintegration into family life, finding employment, and adjusting to a less structured environment. - Sensitivity to Hierarchy and Authority
Understanding how military culture’s emphasis on hierarchy and respect for authority can impact a veteran’s interaction with healthcare providers and their willingness to seek and accept help. - Knowledge of Military Resources and Benefits
Being informed about resources available specifically for veterans, such as VA benefits and services, and how to help veterans navigate these systems.
- Awareness of Diversity Within the Military
Recognizing that the military is a diverse institution with members from various ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, and everyone’s experience may be influenced by these factors. - Understanding the Impact of Deployment on Families
Recognizing the challenges faced by families of veterans, including long separations, the stress of deployment, and the adjustments required during reunification. - Familiarity with Moral and Ethical Dilemmas Faced in Service
Understanding the unique moral and ethical challenges veterans may have faced, which can lead to complex feelings of guilt or moral injury. - Respect for the Veteran’s Strengths
Acknowledging and building upon the strengths and skills that veterans acquire during their service, such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience. - Sensitivity to Stigma
Addressing the stigma often associated with mental health issues in the military and veteran communities and creating a safe, nonjudgmental space for veterans to seek and receive care.
LGBTQIA+ Veterans
We proudly support the diverse backgrounds and identities of our veterans, including those from the LGBTQIA+ community.
Our mission is to ensure that every veteran who walks through our doors feels welcomed in a safe, supportive, and affirming environment where their identity is respected and their healthcare needs are met with the highest standard of care.
We recognize the unique challenges and adversities faced by LGBTQIA+ veterans, including experiences of stigma and discrimination, which can profoundly affect their mental health and well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Silver Pines is licensed to treat veterans with any primary substance use disorder diagnoses and co-occurring mental health diagnosis. Call us today at 844-265-7929 or complete our contact form and our admissions team can guide you through the process.
Contact our admissions team at 844-265-7929 and provide the contact information for each member of your VA team (therapist, social worker, and/or psychiatrist). We can connect with them to let them know that you’ve reached out for help. You may also ask your team at the VA to reach out to the admissions counselor you are working with to help facilitate the process.
Yes. We offer several different types of trauma-based therapies, which are provided by extensively trained master’s level clinicians with unique insight into military-specific traumas and related PTSD.
We communicate with the VA for authorizations, medications, and progress, but only with each client’s written consent. Each client chooses what information is shared.
Yes, transportation is provided within 6 hours of the facility.