Services – UCLA Division of Population Behavioral Health

The VFWC serves Veterans of all eras and their family members regardless of discharge status or VA-benefit status. We maintain separate records unless permission is expressly granted to collaborate with other providers. The cornerstone of VFWC’s services is the FOCUS model.

The VFWC is proud to offer services throughout the state of California via our secure virtual platform.

Resilience Programs

VFWC programs focus on resilience-building strategies and are brief, usually lasting 8 – 10 sessions. They are strength based and culturally sensitive. Participants (individuals, couples/parents or families) work with a Resilience Trainer to establish goals for their participation. Each program teaches effective skills and strategies to manage many life challenges. Sessions typically take place weekly and include a home assignment to encourage practice and habit formation between sessions. All programs are available in person and at a distance through our TeleHealth platform. The VFWC serves Veterans of all eras and their family members regardless of discharge status or VA-benefit status. We maintain separate records unless permission is expressly granted to collaborate with other providers.

Outcomes include:
• Increased communication, listening and understanding
• Greater closeness to loved ones
• Increased trust and empathy
• Enhanced ability to solve problems
• Improved relationship skills
• Improved overall wellbeing

FOCUS Resilience Training: FOCUS is designed to strengthen couples, parents and families in readiness for tomorrow. The program provides personalized training in the context of each family’s story and individual goals. FOCUS teaches practical skills in the areas of communication, managing feelings, solving problems and setting goals. Couples, parents and families have used FOCUS to help them address challenges such as reintegration, reuniting with family members after a separation, communicating with family members about difficult issues, grief and loss, dealing with child behavioral issues and improving family closeness. FOCUS is an evidence-based resilience building program that is also offered at 30 U.S. and international active-duty military bases.
Click to learn more about what you can expect from FOCUS.
Healthy Minds: The Healthy Minds program is a flexible resilience building program for individuals. Participant and trainer collaborate together to establish goals and choose the areas of focus for the training. Individuals have used Healthy Minds to become better at managing negative thoughts and emotions, increase pleasurable and meaningful activities, improve communication, establish healthy habits and improve overall wellbeing.
Transition Education and Mentoring: TEAM helps individuals set and achieve goals related to transition. Whether you are newly separated from the military, new to the city or state or lost a partner or close relationship, TEAM focuses on breaking large goals into small, achievable steps. Skills such as improved communication, managing negative feelings, goal setting and problem solving are taught in the context of your individual situation.

Group Services

All of our groups and workshops are specifically tailored to meet the needs of our attendees. Some workshops are available at a distance through our TeleWellness Program.

Skill-Building Groups: Groups are interactive and designed to introduce key skills that support resilience, strong relationships and managing difficult emotions. Often presented as a series, groups are 60-90 minutes in length and typically include 5-12 participants. Group attendees range from individual Veteran participation to the participation of parents, families or children in specific age groups (school-aged children, teenagers). Group schedules vary in order to meet demand.

Educational Workshops: Larger audiences may join an educational workshop to focus on a specific topic related to Veteran wellbeing. Workshops are tailored to address timely subjects and/or audience needs, and are usually 60 minutes long. The VFWC Speaker Series presents a webinar on a topic relevant to Veteran wellbeing every quarter.
Visit our events page for upcoming groups and topics.

Click here to set up an appointment!

Leading as Parent

Parents can build on current strengths and learn new skills at the VFWC through group or individual services. Individual services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each family and use interactive skill-building techniques to enhance strengths.
FOCUS for Parents is designed to strengthen parents’ ability to support each other and overcome challenges. Through multiple sessions with a VFWC Resilience Trainer, FOCUS provides personalized training in the context of each couple’s story and individual goals. It teaches practical skills to help them meet the challenges of Veteran life, such as injury, managing trauma and stress, and dealing with transitions.

Getting Started

Consultations – offer education for parents, couples and individuals, community providers and partners, as well as to parents and couples. Consultations provide guidance and professional expertise on specific topics that impact a Veteran’s life and/or their family. These 30 to 90 minute meetings cover family- and child-centered topics such as behavioral changes and preparations for future transitions. Consultations are also provided around specific trauma, grief, and/or loss issues. Following the consultation, families can choose to participate in FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress) resilience training or be linked to other appropriate services at UCLA, the VA, or the community.

Building Community

Skill-Building Groups – are interactive groups designed to introduce key skills that support resilience, strong relationships, and managing difficult emotions. Often presented as a series, groups are generally 90 minutes in length. Group attendees range from individual Veteran participation to the participation of parents, families, or children in specific age groups (school-aged children, teenagers). Contact the VFWC for more information on upcoming groups and topics.
Educational Workshops – focus on a specific topic, such as individual- or family-level stress management, or family reactions to trauma, stress, or other transitions. Workshops can be tailored to address different topics and/or audience needs, and are approximately 60 minutes long.
All of our groups and workshops are specifically tailored to meet the needs of our attendees. Specialized workshops for women Veterans and caregivers are also available. Some workshops are available at a distance through our TeleWellness Program.

Connecting as a Couple

Couples can find support from VFWC through group or individual services. Individual services are tailored to meet the couple’s unique needs and use interactive skill-building techniques to enhance strengths.
FOCUS for couples is designed to strengthen couples’ ability to support each other and overcome challenges. Through multiple sessions with a VFWC Resilience Trainer, FOCUS provides personalized training in the context of each couple’s story and individual goals. It teaches practical skills to help them meet the challenges of Veteran life, such as injury, managing trauma and stress, and dealing with transitions.

Strengthening Your Family

Families at the VFWC have many options for building on their current strengths and overcoming everyday challenges, as well as those challenges related to a parent or loved one’s past military service. Workshops, groups and individual services are available for families and children. Children are also welcome at many VFWC events.
FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress) for families is designed to strengthen families’ readiness for the future. Over a series of sessions with a VFWC Resilience Trainer, FOCUS provides personalized training in the context of each family’s story and individual goals. It teaches families practical skills to help them meet the challenges of Veteran life, such as injury, managing trauma and stress, and dealing with transitions.

Supporting Caregivers

The VFWC is pleased to offer services to those supporting Veterans, including specialized workshops and groups that focus on caregiving for a military or Veteran spouse, partner, or family member. We serve caregivers regardless of the Veteran’s ability to participate in services. We are here to support you as you support your hero.
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Supporting Survivors
TeleWellness

Supporting Survivors

Grief & Loss Support Programming for Groups and Individuals The VFWC oﬀers assistance and wellness-based resilience training, including managing trauma and loss reminders, to the family members of those who were lost to illness, injury, or suicide (intended or accidental) during active duty or Veteran status. We also provide referrals to survivor groups, qualiﬁed mental health providers and VA beneﬁts specialists.
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TeleWellness

Virtual Platform

Many programs oﬀered by the VFWC are also available through our TeleWellness option. TeleWellness allows families to access consultation, family sessions and support from the comfort of their home. Access to a computer and a reliable internet connection is required. Participants will engage with a resilience trainer through a secure video-conferencing application.
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