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Comprehensive, veteran-focused care for substance use and mental health disorders, delivered by experts who understand the challenges of military service members.
Programming for Veterans
Honor Through Healing
Veterans dedicate their lives to serving our country, but the effects of military service can be long-lasting. Exposure to combat, high-stress environments, and the transition to civilian life can lead to mental health and substance use challenges. Specialized care is crucial for healing, resilience, and long-term recovery.
Addressing Every Need
Our teams are fully committed to addressing every aspect of a veteran’s well-being during treatment. We work closely with each veteran to ensure that all their unique medical, housing-related, or spiritual needs are met with personalized care and attention. We understand the complexities veterans face, and we are here to support them every step of the way, ensuring that no need goes unaddressed.
Treatment Engagement
What We Treat
STR Silver Pines provides targeted, comprehensive care for veterans, addressing the most common mental health and substance use challenges they struggle with, including:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depressive disorders
- Dual diagnosis
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance use disorder (SUD)
- Trauma
Levels of Care
Our specialized treatment programs at Silver Pines offer the following levels of care:
Detoxification
We provide medication-assisted detox services in a safe, supportive environment, helping veterans safely navigate withdrawal and prepare for long-term recovery.
Residential treatment (RTC)
Our residential program offers a structured, secure setting where veterans can focus on healing, addressing trauma, and building a strong foundation for lasting recovery.
why choose us
The Silver Pines Difference
If you’re a veteran facing mental health or substance use challenges, seeking help is a courageous step. You’re not alone — our team provides expert care tailored to the unique experiences of military service, offering the understanding and support you deserve to achieve lasting recovery.
PsychArmor® Certified
STR Behavioral Health is proud to be a PsychArmor-certified “Veteran-Ready” healthcare organization. This ensures that our team is trained to effectively address the unique challenges faced by military service members.
Veteran-Led Groups
Weekly process groups focus on PTSD, military trauma, reintegration into civilian life, and other veteran-specific challenges.
Veteran-Specific Housing
Veterans are provided with private or shared accommodations — exclusively with fellow veterans or first responders — to foster a supportive environment.
Priority Admissions + Transportation
We prioritize veterans for same-day admissions when possible and offer transportation within a six-hour radius.
Clinical Expertise with Lived Experience
Our evidence-based care is led by an expert team with lived experience and deep expertise in treating both veterans and first responders. We understand the unique challenges they face and provide specialized support through a dedicated clinical staff with similar experiences. With a commitment to compassionate and effective care, we create a tailored approach to help them achieve lasting recovery and well-being.
Matthew Sommons, MD
Medical Director +
Military Veteran
Harry Fisher
Primary Therapist +
Former Police Officer
Doug Chupasko
Lead Behavioral Health Tech +
Army-Airforce Veteran
Brian Sabo
Clinical Partnerships +
Former Police Officer
Understanding Veterans
Treatment Specialized for Veterans
As a veteran-ready healthcare provider certified by PsychArmor, we’re committed to addressing veterans’ unique challenges. Our expertise is integrated into every aspect of care, creating a supportive environment for lasting recovery.
1. Understanding military culture + language
This includes familiarity with military rank structure, branch-specific terminology, and the significance of certain experiences, such as deployments, combat, or military training.
2. Recognition of service-related traumas
This includes familiarity with military rank structure, branch-specific terminology, and the significance of certain experiences, such as deployments, combat, or military training.
3. Awareness of military transition challenges
This includes familiarity with military rank structure, branch-specific terminology, and the significance of certain experiences, such as deployments, combat, or military training.
4. Sensitivity to hierarchy + authority
Understanding how military culture emphasizes hierarchy and respect for authority can impact veterans' interactions with healthcare providers and their willingness to seek and accept help.
5. Knowledge of military resources + benefits
Being well-versed in veteran-specific resources and services, like VA benefits and programs, and being able to help veterans navigate these systems.
6. Awareness of diversity within the military
We acknowledge and respect each person’s unique background and cultural experiences and the ways those experiences may affect their treatment.
7. Understanding the impact of deployment on families
Recognizing the challenges faced by families of veterans, including long separations, the stress of deployment, and the adjustments required during reunification.
8. Familiarity with moral + ethical dilemmas faced during service
Understanding the unique moral and ethical challenges veterans may have faced can lead to complex feelings of guilt or moral injury.
9. Respect for veterans' strengths
Acknowledging and building upon the strengths and skills that veterans acquire during service, such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience.
10. Awareness of stigma
Addressing the stigma often associated with mental health issues in the military and veteran communities and creating a safe, nonjudgmental space for veterans to seek and receive care.
Our Treatment Approach
We combine impactful evidence-based treatments with experiential and supplementary therapies to create a holistic, personalized healing experience for veterans, addressing their unique challenges and experiences.
Acceptance + commitment therapy (ACT)
ACT encourages the acceptance of complex emotions and values-based living. We incorporate meditation, yoga, and ACT-focused groups, aligning with veterans’ service-driven values.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT helps individuals identify and change harmful thinking and behavior patterns with a tailored approach to the specific experiences tied to service. We offer multiple CBT and relapse prevention groups per week that are rooted in CBT.
Community reinforcement approach (CRA)
CRA focuses on improving the quality of life by replacing substance use with healthier, rewarding activities. For veterans, CRA integrates social, vocational, and recreational support to promote long-term recovery and enhance overall well-being.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
DBT helps veterans manage intense emotions, build resilience, and improve interpersonal relationships. By combining mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance, DBT equips veterans with practical skills to navigate trauma and stress while fostering long-term mental health.
Family therapy
Family therapy helps veterans and their families restore trust and communication affected by substance use and stress. We offer in-person family programs based on BALM principles every Sunday and virtual support groups on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with additional sessions available as needed.
Group therapy
Group therapy fosters peer support, reduces isolation, and tailors 12-step facilitation and SMART Recovery programs. Veterans participate in specialized groups led by experienced peers.
Medication-assisted therapy (MAT)
MAT is a treatment for opioid and alcohol dependence using Suboxone, Vivitrol, Naltrexone, and more (excluding methadone). Medical providers assess and manage medications on a weekly basis.
Motivational interviewing (MI)
MI builds internal motivation, reduces resistance, and enhances engagement in treatment. We offer multiple MI-based groups throughout the week.
Motivational enhancement therapy (MET)
MET is a client-centered approach that helps veterans strengthen their motivation to overcome substance use by exploring personal goals and ambivalence. MET empowers veterans to commit to change through guided conversations, fostering long-term recovery and personal growth.
Trauma-informed care + therapy
We recognize the profound impact trauma has on thoughts, behaviors, and the recovery process. Our priority is to create a safe, supportive environment where clients feel empowered to build trust, embrace vulnerability, and foster authenticity as an essential foundation for healing.
Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP)
MBRP combines mindfulness with relapse prevention to manage stress and cravings through DBT, yoga, and meditation groups.
Recreational + experiential therapies
Holistic therapies include outdoor activities, art therapy (led by a trauma-informed art therapist), and recreational activities that build comradery and foster interpersonal connections.
LGBTQIA+ Support
STR Behavioral Health is committed to providing an inclusive and affirming environment for LGBTQIA+ veterans. Understanding their unique challenges — such as stigma and discrimination — our team offers compassionate, culturally competent care. We prioritize mental health and well-being, ensuring everyone feels valued, respected, and supported throughout their recovery journey.
Flexible Payment Options
Silver Pines offers both in-network and out-of-network insurance options, as well as private pay rates. Our admissions team works with you to find the best payment solution for your needs.
As a participating VA Community Care Network provider, we ensure that veterans receive high-quality, specialized care. Our NPI number is 1578088738.
And more
Frequently Asked Questions
Does STR Behavioral Health cover care for veterans?
Yes. STR Behavioral Health is licensed to treat veterans with any primary substance use disorder diagnoses and co-occurring psychiatric illnesses. Call us today at 844.265.7929 or complete our contact form, and our admissions team can guide you through the process.
How do I get started?
Contact our admissions team at 844.265.7929 and provide the contact information for each member of your VA team (therapist, social worker, and/or psychiatrist). We will contact them to let them know you’ve reached out for help. You may also ask your team at the VA to reach out to the admissions counselor you are working with to help facilitate the process.
Does STR Behavioral Health provide therapy for trauma?
Yes. We offer several different types of trauma-based therapies, which are provided by extensively trained master’s-level clinicians with unique insight into military-specific traumas and related PTSD.
What is your policy on communication with the VA?
We communicate with the VA for authorizations, medications, and progress only with the client’s written consent. Each client chooses which information is shared.
Do you provide transportation?
Yes, transportation is provided within six hours of the facility.
Can you accommodate a same-day admission?
Yes.
Take the first step toward healing. Contact our expert team today to learn how our specialized treatment for substance use, alcohol addiction, and dual diagnosis can help you reclaim your life.