CAF Member and Veteran Support in Alberta

Mental Health Services for Canadian Armed Forces Members and Veterans

Dedicated counseling and wellness programs tailored specifically for active Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and Veterans. Confidential support from professionals who understand the unique experiences and challenges of military service.

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Our Core Services for CAF Members and Veterans

Specialized mental health support designed to meet the needs of CAF members and Veterans.

Military-Specific Trauma Therapy

Evidence-based treatments for PTSD, operational stress injuries, and other trauma-related conditions resulting from military service. Delivered by therapists specializing in military trauma.

Peer Support Programs

Connect with fellow CAF members and Veterans who understand the unique challenges of military life. Peer support groups and one-on-one mentoring.

Transition Assistance

Support for transitioning from military to civilian life, including help with career planning, education, and social reintegration.

Family Support and Counseling

Counseling and resources for spouses, partners, and children affected by the stresses of military service and deployment.

Wellness & Resilience Programs

Stress management, resilience training, mindfulness, and physical wellness programs tailored for the demands of military life.

Addiction Support & Recovery

Confidential programs addressing substance use issues, with an understanding of the occupational triggers specific to military service.

Moral Injury Support

Specialized help for addressing moral injury and the psychological impact of events that violate deeply held moral beliefs.

Grief and Loss Counseling

Support for coping with loss, grief, and bereavement, including the loss of comrades and loved ones.

Military Culture-Specific Prevention

Proactive mental health education, early intervention strategies, and organizational support designed for CAF units and Veterans organizations.

Our Approach: Military-Focused

Confidentiality Guaranteed

All services adhere to the strictest confidentiality protocols. Your privacy and career security are our top priorities.

Military Service Expertise

Our partnered therapists have extensive experience working with CAF members and Veterans and are trained in military culture and operational stress injuries.

24/7 Crisis Line

If required, we can connect you with those who can provide emergency support.

Flexible Access

Our partnered clinics offer in-person, video, and phone counseling options to accommodate your schedule and preferences.

Key Benefits for CAF Members and Veterans

Immediate Appointments

Priority access for CAF members and Veterans – we understand the urgency of your needs.

Insurance and Benefits

We work with VAC, SISIP, and most major insurance providers.

Culturally Competent Care

Our partnered clinics and staff are trained in military culture and understand the unique challenges you face.

Outreach and Support

We provide outreach and support services to CAF bases and Veteran communities.

Veterans Affairs Canada Benefits and OSI Clinics — How to Access Support

Military service can leave a mark that does not always show up right away. Trauma from deployment, moral injury, the loss of comrades and the jolt of moving from military to civilian life can all affect your mental health, sometimes years after the fact. The good news is that Canada has a dedicated support system for serving members, Veterans and their families. The hard part is often knowing where to start.

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) is the main door for Veterans. Its disability benefits and treatment benefits can cover mental health care for service-related conditions such as PTSD, depression and anxiety.
VAC Assistance Service offers free, confidential short-term counselling for Veterans, former RCMP members and their families, and you can reach it any time of day or night.
Operational Stress Injury (OSI) clinics provide specialised assessment and treatment for serving CAF members, Veterans, RCMP members and their families. Alberta has an OSI clinic in Edmonton, though travel can be a barrier if you live in a rural or northern community.
Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS) connects you with trained peers who have lived through an operational stress injury themselves, and offers support for family members too.

Evidence-based treatments for operational stress injuries include trauma-focused therapies, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), EMDR and group therapy, sometimes alongside medication. Care works best when your therapist understands military culture, so you are not spending your sessions explaining rank, deployments or why you do not talk about certain things.

Your family feels the effects of service too. If you are a spouse or partner, our guide on mental health for partners and spouses of Canadian Veterans is a good place to start.

Responders First can connect you with military-informed therapists in Alberta, in person or by video and phone, and we work with VAC and SISIP coverage. Book a confidential consultation and we will help you sort out the next step.

1. Start the conversation

Reach out to Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) or a trusted provider. You do not need to have every form ready or know exactly what to call what you are feeling. A first conversation is about figuring out the next step.

2. Apply for disability benefits and treatment benefits

VAC disability benefits recognise conditions related to your service, and treatment benefits can help cover the cost of mental health care such as psychotherapy. Applications take time, so it is worth starting early, even while you are still serving or just after release.

3. Get an assessment

An Operational Stress Injury (OSI) clinic or a qualified community therapist can assess what you are dealing with, whether that is PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleep problems or substance use, and recommend a treatment plan.

4. Keep support in place while you wait

Wait times for specialised services can be long. Short-term counselling, peer support and private therapy can help you stay steady in the meantime, so you are not left on your own while paperwork moves through the system.