Yes, marriage and family counseling is available to veterans and their spouses through several VA channels, though the specific program and eligibility depend on where you access it.
The most commonly used resource is the network of Vet Centers, which are community-based counseling centers separate from VA medical centers. Vet Centers provide readjustment counseling, and this explicitly includes couples and family counseling when the issues are related to the veteran's military service, including combat-related stress, deployment separation, and reintegration difficulties. Vet Center services are available to veterans who served in a combat theater, experienced military sexual trauma, or served in certain other qualifying circumstances, and importantly, spouses and family members can participate in the counseling sessions with the veteran. Vet Center counseling does not require a service-connected disability rating or an honorable discharge characterization in every case, and there is generally no cost for eligible veterans and their families.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Analyze my claim free →Separately, if the veteran is enrolled in VA health care, VA medical centers also offer family and couples counseling through mental health and social work services, particularly when it supports the veteran's treatment plan for conditions like PTSD, depression, or adjustment issues tied to military service. Referrals typically come through a primary care provider or mental health provider at the VA facility.
Eligibility and availability can vary by location, so the best first step is direct contact rather than relying on general information. A veteran who recently separated should reach out to the nearest Vet Center directly, since Vet Centers are often quicker to access than full VA enrollment and are specifically staffed to handle post-deployment relationship and reintegration issues. Vet Centers can be found through the VA's website or by calling the general VA information line, and many now offer telehealth counseling sessions, which can make scheduling easier for couples balancing work and other responsibilities.
If the struggles are also affecting the veteran's mental health in ways that may be service-connected, such as PTSD symptoms contributing to relationship strain, it may also be worth discussing a mental health evaluation with a VA provider, since that is a separate but related process from couples counseling itself.
The concrete next step is to contact the nearest Vet Center directly by phone or through the VA's website to ask about scheduling a couples or family counseling intake appointment.
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