New Veterans Counseling Office Opens In Holliston

HOLLISTON, MA— Join State Representative Carolyn Dykema, Department of Veterans’ Services Secretary Francisco Ureña, local veterans, and representatives from the Worcester Vet Center at an open house for a new veterans counseling office in Holliston on Monday, June 26th, 1 p.m. at the Holliston Town Office, 1750 Washington Street. The Holliston site is the newest Community Access Point offered through the Worcester Vet Center.

Vet Centers are part of a nationwide program administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide readjustment counseling, military sexual trauma counseling, and bereavement counseling to veterans and their loved ones. One of seven main locations in Massachusetts, the Worcester Vet Center provides services to approximately 700 veterans in the MetroWest/Central Mass area. Community Access Points offer increased accessibility and convenience for local veterans in the Holliston and greater MetroWest region.

The Holliston Community Access Point began offering services earlier this year to local veterans and family members in Holliston and nearby towns. Behavioral health counseling for eligible veterans is offered two days per week and is free and confidential. Both individual and group counseling is available for combat veterans and their families. Additionally, the center provides counseling services to veterans who may not have been in combat but have experienced military sexual trauma or sexual harassment while on active duty. Bereavement services are also available for family members who have lost a service member or veteran in the line of duty. Finally, the community access point provides information and referral for substance abuse treatment as well as information for claims and benefits.

“I’m so pleased that we now have this important regional access point right here in Holliston,” Rep. Dykema said. "Returning to civilian life after military service can be challenging for both veterans and their loved ones. The confidential services provided at the center can help ease this transition, while also showing our veterans and their families that we are committed to supporting them, both in the service and when they come home.”

“We, at the Worcester Vet Center, are proud and excited to be able to offer free and confidential behavioral health services to our qualified veterans and their families, offering ease and convenience in access to care. Many veterans struggle finding mental health providers who ‘get it’,” said Mary Heck, LICSW, CCTP. “We, at the Holliston Community Access Point, can offer an experienced provider who understands the military culture and the challenges veterans and families have experienced and continue to face, whether it be from war, sexual trauma, post deployment readjustment or bereavement.”

Local veterans and family members are encouraged to attend this event to learn about services that may be available to them. Please call the Worcester Vet Center with any questions at 508-753-7902.

Release submitted by the office of Carolyn Dykema