Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Counselling

Provided by Applecross Psychologists (Aresolution Psychology)

DVA counselling is a free and confidential service funded by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. To access services, you will need a valid DVA referral from your GP or another eligible medical professional.

Understanding Veteran Experience

We have a strong understanding of veteran and military culture, including the unique demands of service roles such as Military Police and regulatory or enforcement-based positions. This allows us to provide respectful, tailored, and evidence-based psychological care.

Veterans commonly present with more than just low mood or stress. While depression and anxiety are often part of the picture, our clinicians frequently see broader issues related to emotional and nervous system regulation, including:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex trauma
• Chronic hyperarousal and difficulty switching off
• Emotional numbing, depression or feeling “shut down”
• Anger, irritability, and impulse control difficulties
• Sleep disturbance and chronic fatigue
• Accumulated stress from repeated exposure to high-risk or morally challenging situations
• Chronic pain and the psychological impacts of injury

Many veterans have learned to keep functioning under pressure, even when their body and nervous system continue to carry the impact of trauma.

How We Help

Many veterans are highly capable, disciplined, and evidence-focused, yet may feel disconnected from their emotional or physical experience due to years of institutional training and operational demands.

Our approach begins with clear, practical psychoeducation, particularly around:

• How the nervous system responds to threat and prolonged stress
• Why trauma can be held in the body even when you are functioning and coping
• The biological basis of symptoms (not personal weakness)

This scientific foundation often resonates strongly with veterans and supports effective therapy.

We use evidence-based approaches tailored to individual needs, including:

• Trauma-informed therapy
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills for distress tolerance and emotional regulation
• Somatic and body-based strategies where appropriate
• Eye-movement desensitisation reprocessing therapy (EMDR)

Treatment is practical, structured, and focused on improving regulation, functioning, and quality of life under real-world demands.

Eligibility and Appointments

To be eligible for DVA‑funded counselling, you must have a Department of Veterans’ Affairs referral form from your GP or other medical professional.

• Veterans holding a DVA White or Gold Card are typically entitled to several blocks of 10 fully funded sessions per calendar year, with no out‑of‑pocket cost.
• Gold Card holders may be eligible for additional sessions where clinically indicated.

Appointment Availability

Aresolution provides daytime DVA psychological services only.

• Appointments are available Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
• We are unable to offer after‑hours or weekend appointments under DVA referrals

Our Experience

Our clinicians have significant experience in:

• Trauma‑focused therapy
• Institutionalisation and long‑term service impacts
• Depression and anxiety
• Individual, family, and relationship counselling

If you have a DVA referral and would like to book an appointment, you can request a callback from one of our psychologists.