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VA Community Education

How To Become Faith-Based and Marital Therapy Provider

A Guide for Faith-Based and Marital Therapy Providers
Enroll via Optum →
Enroll via TriWest

DCP Hub · Clinical Education

Mental Health

Welcome to Veterans Desk,your trusted resource for connecting licensed mental health professionals with opportunities to serve those who have served our country. This guide is tailored for faith-based counselors, pastoral therapists, and marital or couples therapy specialists interested in enrolling in the VA Community Care Network (CCN).

Whether you are an LCSW, LMFT, LPC, LMHC, or licensed pastoral counselor (where recognized), this page provides everything you need to join the network and begin supporting veterans and their families through spiritually integrated and relationship-centered care.

Step-by-Step Enrollment in the VA CCN

1

Verify Your Credentials

  • To qualify, you must hold one of the following licenses:

    • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
    • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
    • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
    • Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
    • Licensed Pastoral Counselor (in states where this is a recognized license)

    Specialized training or continuing education in faith-based counseling or marital therapy is strongly recommended.

2

Prepare Required Documents

  • You will need:

    • Active state license
    • Documentation of specialized training in faith-based or marital therapy
    • Current CV or resume
    • Proof of malpractice insurance
    • Signed W-9 form

3

Submit Your Application

Apply through your designated VA CCN regional portal:

Optum — Regions 1–3 →
TriWest — Regions 4–5 →

4

Complete Required Training

After submitting your application, you must complete VA onboarding, which may include:

  • Suicide prevention training
  • VA HIPAA and privacy standards
  • Care coordination with VA Chaplain and Behavioral Health Services
VHA TRAIN Portal →

5

Credentialing & Site Review

  • Your credentials, licensing, and training will be verified
  • Your practice may be reviewed for compliance, accessibility, and telehealth readiness (if applicable)

6

Receive Contract and Begin Services

  • Once approved, you will receive a contract outlining your reimbursement structure and service scope. You may begin providing care to veterans under authorized VA referrals.
VA CCN Enrollment Page →

Why Faith-Based and Marital Therapists Matter to Veterans

About This Specialty

Veterans and their families often face unique relational and spiritual challenges, particularly when coping with:

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Moral injury and spiritual distress
  • Marital strain due to deployment, reintegration, or trauma
  • Isolation and loss of community

As a faith-based or marital therapist in the VA CCN, your role includes:

  • Supporting veterans in exploring spiritual beliefs as a pathway to healing and meaning
  • Strengthening relationships affected by combat trauma, communication breakdowns, or mental health concerns
  • Providing evidence-based couples therapy, such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Gottman Method, or Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy
  • Collaborating with VA Chaplain Services, Behavioral Health Teams, and Family Support Programs

Key Benefits of Joining the VA CCN

Serve a Values-Centered Population

Veterans often seek providers who understand the role of faith, moral purpose, and family in healing.

Reimbursement for Diverse Services:

VA reimburses for individual, couples, and family counseling, including spiritually integrated therapy.

Collaborative Care

Join a network of chaplains, psychologists, social workers, and case managers supporting holistic veteran care.

Telehealth Opportunities:

Deliver secure, HIPAA-compliant therapy sessions to veterans in rural or underserved areas.

Career Support & Military Pathways

Educational Support & Professional Growth

  • The VA offers robust educational benefits that support both veterans entering the counseling field and current providers:
  • GI Bill® – Covers degrees in counseling, psychology, pastoral care, and marriage and family therapy
  • VR&E (Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment) – Assists veterans with service-connected disabilities pursuing mental health careers
  • Yellow Ribbon Program – Helps offset tuition at private or graduate-level institutions.
  • Tuition Top-Up – Provides additional financial aid when VA benefits fall short.

Transitioning from Military Chaplaincy or Behavioral Health Roles

  • Former military chaplains or behavioral health professionals may be eligible for:
  • Expedited licensing or credential transfer
  • Recognition of deployment-related counseling experience
  • Specialized VA programs supporting military-to-civilian transitions in healthcare roles Be sure to include your DD214 and service record during enrollment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Faith-based therapy provided by licensed clinicians is reimbursable when integrated into an authorized VA mental health care plan.

Yes. Evidence-based marital therapy, family counseling, and couples sessions are reimbursable under VA-authorized mental health contracts.

Yes. Telehealth delivery of faith-based and marital counseling is permitted with VA approval and proper documentation. Be sure to indicate this capability when applying.

Ready to Join

Start Your VA CCN Enrollment Today

Licensed Faith-Based and Marital Therapy Providers can begin the enrollment process in the VA Community Care Network through Optum (Regions 1–3) or TriWest (Regions 4–5). Veterans Desk provides education. The VA’s administrators handle enrollment.”

Enroll via Optum →
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Disclaimer. Veterans Desk is a Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofit and is not a HIPAA-covered entity and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any federal agency. All content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or clinical advice. Veterans Desk does not collect, store, or transmit Protected Health Information (PHI). Enrollment eligibility, reimbursement terms, and credentialing requirements are determined solely by the VA, Optum, and TriWest — verify current requirements directly with those organizations. Emergency: 911 | Veterans Crisis Line: 988 (Press 1) | Text 838255.