Veterans gathered in Indianapolis and other locations across the United States on March 14 to protest against staff and budget reductions at the Department of Veterans Affairs initiated by the Trump administration, as reported by Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images.
Mental health clinicians working for the US Department of Veterans Affairs are experiencing emotions of panic, fear, uncertainty, and anger as they prepare for the VA’s directive to return to office settings. Some have been required to return as early as Monday, April 14. VA representatives have indicated that the back-to-office transition is expected to be completed by May 5.
In interviews conducted by NPR with ten VA clinicians across the country, many expressed concerns under the condition of anonymity, fearing job security. As the April 14 deadline approached, many clinicians were unclear about return expectations, with some experiencing last-minute changes or delays in reporting dates.
A memo obtained by NPR from regional leadership at a VA facility provided therapists with a script to inform patients that while in shared office spaces, complete confidentiality during sessions could not be assured.
These changes follow an announcement from the VA about plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 80,000 as part of a significant restructuring. A leaked memo, initially reported by the Associated Press, outlines the restructuring efforts, while VA Secretary Doug Collins mentioned the goal of eliminating inefficiencies in a video addressing the staff cuts.
Many VA therapists, originally hired for telehealth services, have voiced concerns about insufficient physical space at facilities, potential logistical issues, and the ability to maintain patient confidentiality during in-person sessions. In communications, VA managers have described working environments where clinicians provide telehealth services with headphones in call center-like settings, acknowledging the potential for conversations to be overheard and advising against sharing confidential information.
In response to these directives, a group of 20 House Democrats sent a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins, expressing their concerns regarding the shared and impractical working spaces planned for therapists and supervisors.
VA representatives have consistently stated that federal privacy laws will be upheld. VA spokesperson Peter Kasperowicz accused those raising alarms of seeking to avoid in-office work and assured that the policy aligns with common sense, guaranteeing appropriate workspaces.
Clinicians, however, continue to express doubts about the feasibility of these assurances, among them L., a licensed clinical social worker who voiced concerns over the legal viability of disclaimers advised for use at the start of therapy sessions. L. anticipated that these measures might result in cancellations of sessions, either by patients or therapists themselves, potentially impacting waiting times for veterans seeking care—a group already facing long waits and at a higher risk of suicide than non-veterans.
Emails exchanged with NPR revealed varying dates for the return to office, exemptions granted to certain staff, and ambiguity regarding comprehensive implementation. Some clinicians were asked to assist in rearranging furniture to accommodate new working arrangements, highlighting ongoing confusion.
The American Psychological Association released a statement criticizing the policy due to potential violations of ethical and federal privacy standards, which could affect access to mental health care.
Under President Biden, the PACT Act allocated nearly $800 billion to expand VA care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxins. The current staffing reductions aim to revert numbers to pre-legislation levels, raising questions about meeting legal obligations under the act.
Clinicians described the situation as emotionally taxing, compromising their own mental health while providing care to others. L. expressed concerns that the ongoing distress would undermine the VA’s mission of treating veterans effectively.
For individuals in crisis, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available for support.
