Counselling for Veterans: How to Access Confidential, DVA-Funded Mental Health Support

What Services Are Available to Veterans and Families?

Counselling for veterans doesn’t begin with paperwork—it starts with understanding. Open Arms, a DVA-funded mental health care program, offers free and confidential support 24/7 to current and former ADF members, reservists, and their families. If you’ve served even one day in the ADF, you may be eligible for immediate access to care, but you still require a GP referral to access fully funded treatment under NLHC.

What sets Open Arms apart is its team of counsellors who understand the unique challenges of military and veteran life. Their approach is trauma-informed, military-aware, and tailored to your specific needs. Whether you’re adjusting to civilian life or dealing with stress, PTSD or substance use, they’re here to help you take control of your mental health and wellbeing.

Typical areas of support include:

• Relationship and family issues
• Transitioning out of the ADF
• Anxiety, depression and panic
• Anger, sleep difficulties and PTSD
• Alcohol and substance misuse

Counselling is available in multiple formats:

• One-on-one sessions with professional counsellors
• Couples and family counselling to improve communication and connection.
• Veteran-specific peer support and group programs
• Training workshops on topics like sleep, anger and suicide prevention
• Online resources for flexible, self-paced care

If you or someone close to you is feeling flat, overwhelmed or alone, it’s time to talk. Early support makes all the difference, especially when designed for the veteran community.

To explore more DVA-funded mental health support options, visit our Veterans Mental Health Services guide.

Understanding Eligibility for Counselling for Veterans

Accessing mental health support through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs doesn’t always require a claim. Under the Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC) program, eligible veterans can receive fully funded treatment for all mental health conditions under NLHC, but this only applies to eligible veterans with approved White Cards. This support is available as long as needed and includes services from GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other qualified providers.

To access NLHC, you must hold a Veteran White Card with mental health coverage approved by DVA following referral. You're automatically eligible for this treatment if you already hold a DVA Gold Card. Before making an appointment, confirming that your chosen provider accepts the Veteran Card for payment is essential.

You may be eligible as a current or former full-time ADF member. Reservists can also qualify if they’ve completed Continuous Full-Time Service (CFTS)—including call-outs under the Defence Act or formal designations by Defence. Some reservists without CFTS may still be eligible if they’ve served on Border Protection, Disaster Relief, or experienced a serious service-related training incident.

Covered services under NLHC include:

• Mental health treatment from a recognised provider
• Hospital admissions and day procedures
• Prescribed medications
• Pathology and medical imaging for mental health diagnosis
• Alcohol and drug treatment programs
• Services from Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling
• Extra support services linked to your treatment plan

The Most Common Barriers Veterans Face When Accessing Counselling

Accessing counselling for veterans should be straightforward, but too often, it isn’t. Many veterans delay seeking help due to confusing processes, unclear information or uncertainty about eligibility. Some don’t know where to begin or who to trust for reliable guidance.

One of the most common challenges is hesitation. Mental health stigma—especially within military culture—can prevent veterans from speaking up. Many worry about:

• Whether their concerns are “serious enough”
• If seeking counselling will affect their future claims or career.
• Not knowing if the support is even available to them

In reality, DVA-funded counselling is available without needing to prove your condition is service-related, and getting support early can make a big difference.

Other common barriers include:

• Complex paperwork: Small errors can delay access to treatment
• Unclear documentation: Leading to under-assessed claims
• Lack of direction: Not knowing how to take the next step

A DVA claim specialist can help remove these obstacles. They work with you to ensure:

• The correct referral process is followed.
• Your paperwork is complete and accurate.
• You’re accessing the right support as early as possible

If you’re feeling uncertain, overwhelmed or stuck, you're not alone. With the right guidance, counselling becomes easier to access—and far more effective.

When to Get Help from a DVA Claim Specialist

If you're feeling uncertain, lost, or don’t know where to start, it may be time to seek expert support that can truly make a difference. Many veterans don’t realise they’re eligible for help until their claim is already delayed, rejected or under-assessed. Whether you’re just starting out or facing the stress of an appeal, working with a DVA claim specialist, such as the team at Veterans First Consulting, can help improve accuracy and reduce delays, but it does not guarantee faster processing.

Appeals aren’t as simple as asking DVA to reconsider. They require:

• New supporting evidence
• A well-structured argument
• A clear understanding of how to apply the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act (MRCA)

A DVA claim specialist can ensure your documentation is complete, your strategy is sound, and your condition is assessed correctly the first time, giving you the best chance of a fair outcome.

If you’re dealing with mental health concerns while waiting for treatment, or confused about how your condition affects eligibility for impairment payments, now is the time to act. The proper support can ensure your claim reflects the actual impact on your daily life—and that you’re not navigating the system alone.

To learn more about how claims are assessed, visit our guide to the DVA Permanent Impairment Assessment

Take the First Step Toward the Support You Deserve

Accessing DVA-funded counselling early can make all the difference—especially when you're dealing with mental health concerns, adjusting to civilian life or unsure about your entitlements. Expert guidance can simplify paperwork, strengthen your claim and help ensure a fair outcome. Whether you're starting fresh or challenging a decision, getting the proper support makes the process clearer, faster and less stressful. Struggling to access the support you need? Contact Veterans First Consulting today and get expert help navigating your DVA entitlements—including mental health counselling.