Learn how Headstrong care works, who is eligible, what services cost, and what to expect along the way. Browse answers to common questions and complete the Connect to Care form when you are ready.
If you or your loved one is in crisis and need immediate support, please reach out to the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and press 1 or text 838255 or visit veteranscrisisline.net.
Trauma-focused treatment directly addresses the thoughts, emotions, memories, and behaviors connected to traumatic experiences. These treatments can help reduce symptoms such as nightmares, avoidance, guilt, anxiety, depression, and feeling constantly on guard. Treatment moves at a collaborative pace; you will not be expected to discuss everything before you are ready.
Headstrong clinicians provide primarily individual therapy with evidence-based treatments for trauma, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). These are also offered in accelerated formats. Headstrong also provides couples, family, group, and psychiatric services on a limited basis.
Possibly. Please tell your Care Coordinator and therapist about any other mental health or substance-use services you are receiving. Concurrent treatment must be clinically appropriate and may require coordination between providers, with your permission. Headstrong generally seeks to avoid duplicating the same type of treatment through multiple providers.
Headstrong is primarily a treatment program and does not generally provide standalone forensic evaluations, disability evaluations, fitness-for-duty assessments, or evaluations for legal proceedings. A treating clinician may provide limited documentation related to your participation in treatment when clinically appropriate and permitted by Headstrong policy and applicable law.
Headstrong serves veterans of any era, National Guard and Reserve members, transitioning service members within three months of separation or retirement, and Gold Star family members. Trauma does not have to be combat-related. Family services may be available by referral when a veteran or service member is in care. Location, clinical needs, availability, and funding may affect access. Submit a request and a Care Coordinator will review the details with you.
No. You generally do not need to submit a DD Form 214 to request care. We may ask you to provide information about your military service so that we can confirm eligibility.
Yes. Contact Headstrong for a new intake and clinical review. If more than six months have passed, a new intake will likely be required. The 30 fully covered sessions are a lifetime program benefit, so a copayment may begin earlier during a later episode of care.
A Care Coordinator will match you with a licensed clinician based on your location, clinical needs, treatment preferences, scheduling needs, and therapist availability. You may share preferences such as in-person or virtual treatment, therapist characteristics, or a particular treatment approach. We will consider those preferences whenever possible, although a specific therapist or treatment cannot be guaranteed.
Please do not submit another person’s private information without their permission. You can share Headstrong’s Connect-to-Care link, offer to sit with them while they complete it, or help them contact us directly. Because treatment is voluntary, the individual generally must participate in the intake process and consent to services.
Yes. Headstrong offers both in-person and secure telehealth services, depending on your location and clinician availability. Your therapist must be authorized to practice in the state where you are physically located during each session, including when you are traveling.
Headstrong aims to respond to requests within one to two business days, connect eligible clients with a therapist within three business days, and support a first appointment within 15 business days from the time of your initial phone intake. Timing can vary based on location, preferences, scheduling, and clinician availability.
Headstrong fully covers up to 30 eligible therapy sessions, and insurance is not required. Beginning with session 31, clients contribute a modest copayment per session. A Care Coordinator can explain how this applies if you are returning or receiving more than one service.
Headstrong fully covers up to 30 eligible therapy sessions. The number of sessions you receive will be based on your clinical needs and treatment plan; not every client will need all 30. After session 30, treatment may continue with a client copayment per session.
Headstrong provides care independently of the VA and Department of Defense and does not require or bill your insurance for Headstrong-funded treatment. With your written permission, your therapist may coordinate with the VA, TRICARE providers, or other healthcare professionals involved in your care.
Yes. Your information is handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws and professional standards. It will not be shared with family members, employers, the military, the VA, or other providers without your written permission except when disclosure is required by law, such as in certain situations involving immediate safety, suspected abuse or neglect, or a valid legal order. Your therapist will explain the limits of confidentiality before treatment begins. Active-duty clients should discuss any questions about confidentiality or military requirements with their therapist before treatment begins.
Your Headstrong clinician may maintain records as required by professional licensing rules and state law. Additional information is available in Headstrong’s Notice of Privacy Practices. You may request access to your treatment records directly from the Headstrong therapist or clinician who provided your treatment. If you have lost that contact information, please reach out to us at care@theheadstrongproject.org.
Headstrong does not maintain a traditional waitlist. When funding or clinician capacity is limited, we may temporarily pause new requests in a location. The Connect to Care form reflects current availability, and our National Resources page offers other places to seek support.