Central Texas Veterans Health Care System

Waco Women Domiciliary RISE

Women RISE (Women Recover In Supportive Environment) is a recovery-based and trauma-informed intensive treatment approach tailored specifically for women Veterans with a diagnosis of PTSD, mood or anxiety disorder, and/or substance abuse/dependence.  Women RISE programming is grounded in the highest level of evidence-based treatments, which are provided mostly in group therapy.  The program is located at the Doris Miller Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System in Waco, Texas.  Most program participants live in Texas, but any Veteran who meets eligibility for Women RISE may apply for admission.  After completing the program and acquiring new skills, techniques and insights to improve her quality of life, the Veteran will return to her home clinic and resume outpatient treatment.
 
You can start learning to manage symptoms right away by downloading the free app PTSD Coach.  This app provides you with education about PTSD, information about professional care, a self-assessment for PTSD, opportunities to find support, and tools that can help you manage the stresses of daily life with PTSD. Tools range from relaxation skills and positive self-talk to anger management and other common self-help strategies. You can customize tools based on your preferences and can integrate your own contacts, photos, and music. This app can be used by people who are in treatment as well as those who are not.

Eligibility

• Veterans who identify as female
• Diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, mood or anxiety disorder; co-occurring substance use disorder
• Willing and cognitively able to participate in intensive group therapy with other female Veterans
• No treatment-interfering psychosis or cognitive impairment
• Not a danger to self or others, nor in need of any close supervision
• Not at suspected risk of perpetrating acts of sexual assault or violence against others
• Has no outstanding warrants
• Has no acute medical problems, can perform personal hygiene and ambulate independently
• Wants to engage in recovery activities and commits to comprehensive treatment for 8 weeks

Veterans with acute medical problems or who require close supervision may be better served in an outpatient setting.  Veterans who pose a current danger to themselves or others will be referred to the level of care that can offer them safety.

While current legal problems, such as probation, parole, or pending court dates are not a barrier to Women RISE admission, Veterans with outstanding warrants are asked to resolve the warrant before coming to Women RISE.

Program Description

Women RISE currently accommodates 30 Veterans.  Women in the program will share a room with another resident (two residents to a room).  While the program is housed in a limited-access area, it shares a building with other treatment programs.  Meals are served on the unit.

The Veteran's individual needs drive the evidence-based therapies offered.  Mornings are spent engaged in the evidence-based therapy most applicable to the Veteran's needs.  Afternoons and weekends are spent in educational groups, skills-building groups, and community outings designed to offer practice in using new skills.  Most Veterans stay in the program about eight weeks.

 Women RISE Values

• Recovery
• Improved Safety & Trust
• Development of Effective Coping Skills
• Empowerment
• Healthy Intimate Relationships
• Improved Quality of Life
• Mindfulness and Self-Awareness
• Connection to Others
• Focus on Strengths

Therapies Offered in Women RISE

• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
• Dialectical Behavior Skills (DBT)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders (CBT-SUD)
• Prolonged Exposure (PE)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Seeking Safety
• Trauma Informed Yoga
• Women’s Wellness and Nutrition Classes
• Psycho-education Groups
• Skills Groups
• Occupational/ Recreational Therapy
• Individual Psychotherapy

How do I apply for admission to Women RISE?

If you believe Women RISE can help you or your Veteran, tell your Primary Care provider or Mental Health provider you are interested in Women RISE.  Ask him or her to make a referral (consult) to the One Screening Committee who will then contact you for a screening appointment.  You can download the forms that the One Screening Committee will require, or you can ask the Committee to mail the forms to you.
For more information about Women RISE, call our Admissions Coordinator at 254-297-3210.
Brochure for Women RISE
Application Form for One Screening Committee
Resident Handbook for Women RISE