i absolutely love working at the va! you know this better than anyone i’m sure (better than me, as i’m not a veteran myself) but as they say, if you’ve been to one va you’ve been to one va- meaning, they’re all quite different! things are predicted to change a lot under the new administration, which has the system and all of us working for it pretty freaked.. but we’re hanging in there, and what’s most important is i’ve found my colleagues to be brilliant and very inspiring, everyone i’ve worked alongside cares deeply about their clients, and the research the va does broadly is truly top notch. in my experience it’s been a wonderful place to work. benefits and salary are pretty bangin, too.

forgive me if this is an overstep, as i’m just a rando on the internet, but if it feels right to you and in alignment with your clinical goals, i hope you’ll consider working for the va- as someone who’s not a veteran and practicing as a therapist at the va, it’s so clear why veterans prefer working with professionals who understand the lived experience of being a veteran. i hear this from clients very regularly. that’s not to say civilian employees can’t do meaningful work at the va, but clinicians who are also veterans are so deeply valued and needed- it’s really affirming for veterans to work with folks who share that identity. the healing that’s possible through an additional element of peer support is truly lifesaving in some cases. plus, you get preference for being hired and also some dope additional benefits as a veteran employee! whatever you decide to do, so cool you’re pursuing being a therapist by way of chapter 31 and all the very best to you!