VA understands that traumatic experiences may affect the lives and health of many women Veterans before, during and after military service. You have access to trauma-informed care at VA. Our health care staff are specifically trained to help you feel comfortable and safe at every appointment, in each exam room and across all VA medical facilities.
What is trauma-informed care?
Trauma is defined as events or circumstances experienced by an individual, resulting in physical, emotional or life-threatening harm with adverse effects on your mental, physical and emotional health, as well as your social and/or spiritual well-being.
Trauma-informed care means your provider understands and acknowledges the role this trauma may play in your life and is committed to enhancing your care by working to establish your feelings of safety, trust, choice, collaboration and empowerment during health care visits. We pay close attention to your preferences and to the physical environment and work to deliver care with absolute support and compassion.
How does trauma-informed care apply to my health care?
VA exam rooms are safe spaces where you may choose to let your provider know about what you have experienced. VA health care providers are trained to know how different traumatic experiences may affect your health, your care needs and your experience with the health care system. They are particularly sensitive to traumas that may be related to military service.
When you visit a VA medical facility, VA health care staff consider several core principles of trauma-informed care. To help you feel safe and comfortable during your visits, your care will include the following:
- You can request a certain gender for your provider
- You can request a chaperoned appointment
- Your provider will explain every step of exams and give you the option to stop at any point
- You will be able to sit where you prefer and stay as covered up as you like when possible
- You can request a telehealth appointment in the comfort of your home
Why does this matter?
Providing women Veterans with trauma-informed care will result in a more supportive and collaborative relationship with your health care team. This will enhance the care you receive and allow us to directly address your health-related questions and concerns. If you have experiences with trauma that may be affecting your health (high blood pressure, problems with sleep, chronic pain) we can help connect you to the right treatment and resources.
We can also connect you with a mental health provider who can work with you on stress management, coping strategies or to talk about the impact of trauma on your life. When you feel comfortable to do so, address your trauma and health concerns with your provider.
You belong at VA, where you have options in how you receive your care. Call or text 1-855-VA-WOMEN to connect with care you can trust or speak with your VA health care team about your options.
Listen to our recent “She Wears the Boots” podcast episode Supporting Veterans Who Have Experienced Trauma to hear from Dr. Lynette Adams of VHA Office of Women’s Health. You’ll learn about how trauma can affect your health and well-being, how VA supports Veterans who have experienced trauma, and what to do if you have concerns.
Topics in this story
Link Disclaimer
This page includes links to other websites outside our control and jurisdiction. VA is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of non-VA Web sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policy or terms and conditions of those sites to fully understand what information is collected and how it is used.
More Stories
Medical center executives join in keeping Dallas VA clean and welcoming for Veterans.
Fisher House offers complimentary lodging for families navigating the complexities of extended medical care.
Veteran and social worker Gordon Roberts received the Medal of Honor for “Gallantry in Action” in Vietnam.
No one cares!! The abuse continues. Been to 4 Certified counselors that stated he is a Gas Lighting Narcissist and it’s Domestic Violence. 3 of them now deny it. Everything has been covered up by USAF.
Everything is lip service!!!
Would sure like to now when those of us went to fort mc clellen Alabama will be compensated for various and sundry cancers, also when the military is going to come clean about all the places agent orange was used.
MST survivors many times can’t even sit among other vets in a communal waiting area. So the dilemma turns to, stay and deal with mental health issues post appt.. or remove themself from it as discussed with caregiver. One VA I’ve seen has a secured area adjacent to primary waiting, for women vets only, press buzzer for entry. That is needed in alot if not all clinic areas.
I was in the Army and never thought women go through some things that I hate to admit. I was stationed in AZ. My encounted my experiences. It is like who do I tell what happened. It’s like you are alone and no one is there to talk to. I enlisted in the Army for a better life. I was in a surprise when I got to Az.
I couldn’t concentrate on my training. I am now trying to get my discharge over turned. How do you tell anyone what an experience like this goes on.
I can’t tell my family. It is like where do I turn, who do I tell. I did tell my attorney about this, that is the only one that knows.
BS
There are no women veterans trauma groups in Manchester MH, or Massachusetts. Very few female clinicians who are or have been in the service. Just look at the comments regarding a new female veteran group home in Rhode Island
Thank you for the support. Is good to know that women veterans matter. My primary care is great and my vet center is very supportive. Would like to see more women veterans groups in my area.
VA is not safe. And yes, we are just Guinea pigs and I see no end to that attitude. They don’t care because they have no vested interest there. Health care employees everywhere else have insurance which dictates they use the doctors and facilities where they are employed. VA employees go where they want with their federal insurance and get better care than they give. There is no incentive to get rid of poor staff. And it is like the military, where female vets are again treated as second class, insignificant, and disposable. Unsafe and substandard.
Hi. I am thankful for veteran doctors. Out here in the civilian world, I am experiencing a lot of trauma due to being a veteran; constant attempted abuse for money.
It wasn’t even a safe place for me to work, let alone get care. I ended up walking out and never going back after working there for 5 years. The abuse I suffered at the hands of male patients was horrendous and I shouted at the roof tops every time it happened and. NO ONE CARED! I will say that I love my primary care dr and I wouldn’t trade her or my female social worker for the world, but the administrators at the VA need so much improvement! Don’t just talk the talk, walk the walk!!!
I can’t speak to the two comments posted; but I will say that is not the case at the Shreveport VA. I am enrolled in the Women’s Clinic there. I feel in no way threaten.
I think it’s wonderful that the VA is improving care especially for female veterans. Having spent an entire career in the military and an entire career in the civilian sector I promise you the civilian sector deliver some more trauma to women in the military does. I’ve had my fair of experiences both in the military and out of the military when it comes to inappropriate behavior from others. But I think the VA is trying and I think patients need to learn to speak up. There is a patient’s bill of rights that every healthcare provider is obligated to follow. I commend you for trying to improve care given to women at the VA .
First of all, why a male gyno, can comment on how a endometrial biopsy feels like, or what pain it entails is beyond me, they have no clue. Also, if I wanted to be treated like in the military, I would have stayed in and retired, the same scheming, lying and fabricating goes on at VA, and you even make those staff members out to be Heroes!!! Good luck trying to find a safe place at the VA…
You’ve got a lot of improving to do. There are no “safe spaces” at a VA. We can make an appointment specifically ask for a female yet they send in the male residents without telling us. No excuse for this to happen. Y’all are still using us as guinea pigs to train your residents; no excuses for a parade of residents to burst through the doors. Sad.