Finding a therapist
Best Therapists for Veterans in San Antonio (2026)
Private practices, a nonprofit military family clinic and a VA Vet Center that treat veterans, service members and military families in San Antonio.
Disclosure: this guide is published by The Denning Center, and Jim Denning, MA, LPC, is listed first because it is his practice's website. That placement is not a claim that he is more skilled or more effective than anyone else here. The other practices were chosen using the criteria below; none of them paid to be included, and none reviewed this page.
Veterans in San Antonio have more routes into therapy than most people. There is the VA itself, the free and confidential Vet Centers, nonprofit clinics, and private therapists paid through TRICARE or through VA Community Care, which TriWest administers in this region. The right route depends on your eligibility, how quickly you want to start, and whether you would rather be seen inside or outside the VA system.
Whichever route you choose, the most researched treatments for service-related PTSD are cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged exposure (PE) and EMDR. Moral injury, the guilt or shame over something done, witnessed or not prevented, often needs attention in its own right.
1. The Denning Center — Jim Denning, MA, LPC
Tesoro Drive, North Central San Antonio · in person and telehealth across Texas
Our practice
San Antonio is a military city, and a large share of Jim's clients have worn a uniform. His veterans and military page covers combat and service-related trauma, transition stress, moral injury, and the problem of asking for help in a culture built on not needing it.
- Has used Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) with veterans through the Lone Survivor Foundation. ART does not require you to describe what happened out loud in detail.
- Says plainly that CPT, prolonged exposure and EMDR carry the VA/DoD guideline's recommendations, and that if the VA can deliver one of them well and for free, he will tell you.
- In network with TRICARE, Humana Military and TriWest, as well as Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and BCBS of Texas.
2. Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Endeavors
De Zavala Road, Northwest San Antonio · nonprofit, in person and telehealth
Part of the Cohen Veterans Network, run locally by Endeavors. It lists CPT, prolonged exposure, EMDR, CBT and DBT for veterans and their families, including play therapy for children.
- Serves post-9/11 veterans regardless of role, discharge status or combat experience; active-duty service members need a TRICARE referral.
- Accepts major insurance, including TRICARE. For people without insurance, the network says care may be available at no cost.
3. San Antonio Northeast Vet Center (VA)
IH 35 North, Northeast San Antonio · VA readjustment counseling
Vet Centers offer confidential counseling in a non-medical setting, individually, in groups, and for couples and families. This one lists counseling for PTSD and for the effects of military sexual trauma.
- No cost for eligible veterans, service members and families. Eligibility rules are on the VA's page.
4. San Antonio Authentic Counseling
Piedras Drive East, Northwest San Antonio · in person and telehealth
Says it serves active-duty members, veterans and families connected to JBSA-Lackland, Randolph, Fort Sam Houston, Camp Bullis and BAMC. It lists PTSD and trauma counseling including EMDR, CBT, and support with military life transitions.
- Lists TRICARE plans among many accepted insurers.
5. Mind Your Self Counseling
San Antonio · telehealth-focused group practice
Its military page lists CPT, prolonged exposure, EMDR and trauma-focused CBT for combat trauma, military sexual trauma, moral injury, deployment and reintegration. The site says it is owned by a Gold Star wife and that many of its therapists are veterans or military spouses.
- Accepts TriWest and TRICARE, among other plans; offers evening and Saturday hours.
6. EMDR-Counseling, PLLC — Tom Efird, LCSW-S
North San Antonio (78258) · in person and telehealth
Efird's site describes him as EMDR certified and an EMDRIA Approved Consultant. It lists EMDR for combat trauma and military sexual assault, along with veterans' issues more broadly.
- Lists TriWest and TRICARE; self-pay fees are published on the site.
TRICARE, TriWest and the VA: which applies to you
The practice's own TRICARE and TriWest pages go into more detail.
- Active duty, retirees and their families: TRICARE. Texas is in TRICARE West, which TriWest administers under the current contract. Check the region printed on your card.
- Veterans using VA care: you can be seen at the VA itself, or referred to a community provider through VA Community Care. In this region, TriWest runs that network.
- Veterans and families who want no-cost, confidential counseling outside the medical system: a Vet Center.
Questions people ask
Will seeing a therapist affect my security clearance?
Can I use a Vet Center and a private therapist at the same time?
Sources
Read next on this site
Written and clinically reviewed by Jim Denning, MA, LPC. Last reviewed 23 September 2026.
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