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West Roxbury VAMC

255 Spring St Boston, MA 02132
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VA Boston Healthcare System - West Roxbury Campus MA 2132

About West Roxbury VAMC

VA Boston Healthcare System – West Roxbury Campus specializes in the treatment of Veteran related mental health care. Services are provided on an outpatient basis.

The outpatient program combines psychiatric evaluations with psychiatric care, medication review and management, mental health therapy, group therapy, trauma treatment, PTSD treatment, and case management services. If a client needs a higher level of care, they may be referred to an inpatient or residential treatment center.

Facility Overview

Bed icon 539
Number of Available Beds

Latest Reviews

James Gallagher
Reviewed on 09/07/2025
5
I recently went in for a stent in my carotid artery. All my doctors and surgeons were great and I’ll list them. PCU - Lisa Vargas. Vascular Surgery Team - Amy Felsted, Joe Rafello, Brenda Lin, David Posawatz, Nishanth Ganeshbaby. RN - Nick O. The tech at this VA is up to date to the minute and everything was clean and I was treated amazingly. They even fed me steak tips. My surgery went very smooth and they told me exactly what to expect afterwards with very clean post op instructions. Highly recommend this wonderful facility and all the doctors and staff who helped me tremendously.
Mike Powers
2 months ago on Google
5
I just had surgery here. The OR staff did a great job.
Anthony Lisboa
2 months ago on Google
5
I always have good treatment
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Rehab Score

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Scoring is assigned by a proprietary system which helps surface key metrics that determine quality. The 10-point scale factors in categories such as operations, customer satisfaction, and trust metrics. Read Full MethodologyCaret icon
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7.3 / 10

Other Forms of Payment

Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.

Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.

Military members, veterans, and eligible dependents have access to specific insurance programs that help them get the care they need. TRICARE and VA insurance can help you access low cost or no cost addiction and mental health treatment. Programs that accept military insurance often have targeted treatment focused on the unique challenges military members, veterans, and their families face.

Addiction Treatments

Levels of Care

outpatient iconOutpatient

Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.

inpatient iconInpatient

Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements. Their residential/transitional programs provide temporary housing to veterans while offering treatments for a wide range of mental health concerns including substance abuse, as well as job training.

aftercare iconAftercare Support

Rehab aftercare programs offer customized, wraparound support for clients in the maintenance phase of recovery. Many clients enroll in drug rehab immediately after completing intensive inpatient or residential care. Services encompass outpatient treatment but often extend long beyond the completion of a formal recovery program and typically include a variety of medical, mental health, and social service programs. Peer coaching, relapse prevention, 12 step program induction, and related services are commonly available.

12-step icon12-Step

12-step programs are addiction recovery models based on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). A number of substance abuse programs (including some drug and alcohol rehab centers) use the 12 steps as a basis for treatment. Beginning steps involve admitting powerlessness over the addiction and creating a spiritual basis for recovery. Middle steps including making direct amends to those who've been hurt by the addiction, and the final step is to assist others in addiction recovery in the same way. 12-Step offshoots including Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA).

medically-assisted-detox iconMedically Assisted Detox

Drug and alcohol addiction often takes a heavy toll on one’s body. Over time, a physical dependence can develop, meaning the body physiologically needs the substance to function. Detox is the process of removing drugs and/or alcohol from the body, a process that can be lethal if mismanaged. Medical detox is done by licensed medical professionals who monitor vital signs and keep you safe, healthy, and as comfortable as possible as you go through detox and withdrawal. This inpatient unit, located on the Brockton campus, offers veterans the opportunity to detoxify from drugs and alcohol in a safe inpatient setting. Their staff, consisting of psychiatrists, nurses, social worker, and a nutritionist, work to stabilize and help the veteran to gain improved mental health through abstinence.

Treatments

The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.

Addiction is a highly complex problem, and drug rehab in Massachusetts is often necessary to address it. These programs treat physical, mental, and relational issues that are involved. Treatment empowers individuals to manage these issues without the use of drugs.

Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.

Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.

Programs

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Adult Program

Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.
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Young Adult Program

Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.
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LGBTQ Program

VA Boston Healthcare System is committed to providing top quality care to all Veterans, including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or questioning (LGBTQ). They know that diverse populations have unique needs, so they train their staff to provide care that is tailored to meet the needs of LGBT Veterans.
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Military Program

Serving in the military is both mentally and physically challenging, and can result in trauma that persists even after combat ends. Military programs are tailored to the specific and often complex needs of active duty personnel, veterans, and military families. Clients often access these programs through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Clinical Services

During cognitive behavioral therapy in Massachusetts, clients work with a trained counselor to identify negative thinking patterns and change them. This change in thinking has been shown to lead to changes in behavior to treat substance use and mental health disorders effectively.

Group therapy is a safe space for participants to share their stories and experiences within a confidential and judgment free environment. You have the opportunity to openly discuss your difficulties and create a network of community support that can extend long after group therapy sessions end.

In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.

Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.

Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.

Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.

Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.

There is a strong link between nutrition and addiction. That's why drug rehab in Massachusetts includes nutrition therapy to teach you healthy eating habits that support addiction recovery. You'll learn what foods your body needs for healing and long term health.

During experiential therapy, clients process their emotions and situations from the inside out. This is different than the outside in approach of talk therapies. Experiential methods include art, music, equine therapy, and drama, which allow creative expression and personal interaction.

Amenities

  • private iconPrivate Setting

Staff & Accreditations

Staff

Vincent Ng

Director

Leslie Pierson, MS, MT

Deputy Executive Director

Michael E. Charness, MD

Chief of Staff

Cecilia McVey, BSN, MHA, CAN

Associate Director Nursing and Patient Care Services

Kelly Boyle, DNP, RN, CNOR

Acting Associate Director for Quality Management

Accreditations

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is a non-profit organization that specifically accredits rehab organizations. Founded in 1966, CARF's, mission is to help service providers like rehab facilities maintain high standards of care.

CARF Accreditation: Yes
Accreditation Number: 74878

The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, is a nonprofit organization that accredits rehab organizations and programs. Founded in 1951, the Joint Commision's mission is to improve the quality of patient care and demonstrating the quality of patient care.

Joint Commission Accreditation: Yes
Accreditation Number: 302978

Contact Information

Building icon

255 Spring St
West Roxbury, MA 02132

Fact checked and written by:
Peter Lee, PhD
Edited by:
Kerry Nenn, BSW

Rehab in Cities Near Boston

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Reviews of West Roxbury VAMC

4.31/5 (70 reviews)
5
Staff
5
Amenities
5
Meals
5
Value
5
Cleanliness
5
52
4
6
3
1
2
2
1
9

Reviews

5
Surgery at West Roxbury VA

I recently went in for a stent in my carotid artery. All my doctors and surgeons were great and I’ll list them. PCU - Lisa Vargas. Vascular Surgery Team - Amy Felsted, Joe Rafello, Brenda Lin, David Posawatz, Nishanth Ganeshbaby. RN - Nick O. The tech at this VA is u ... Read More

James G.
Reviewed on 9/7/2025
Staff
5
Amenities
5
Meals
5
Value
5
Cleanliness
5
Overall Experience
Date Submitted
Reviewer

Google Reviews

4.3 (69 reviews)
Mustafa Abubaker
1 month ago
5

Michael Kadra
1 month ago
5

Mike Powers
2 months ago
5

I just had surgery here. The OR staff did a great job.

Anthony Lisboa
2 months ago
5

I always have good treatment

JoAnna
2 months ago
5

Convenient

Mark Dunning
2 months ago
5

I got transported by ambulance from the Lowell VA clinic for something that turned out to be minor. I'll be brief here. If I am ever in a life threatening medical emergency this is where I want to go.....without question!!!

Bill Krippendorf
2 months ago
4

Michelle Dubois
5 months ago
5

This is the best hospital you could go to if you are a veteran. The doctors nurses and all staff are the most caring and conscientious group I have ever seen!

Stephen Wierzbicki
8 months ago
5

Brian Shaw
8 months ago
5

I'm concluding Prostate surgery I could not imagine better people to handle this completely decent awesome care from Drs to Nurses and staff

Response from the owner
Thank you for your kind words! We're honored to serve our Veterans.
Justin Horrocks
9 months ago
5

Professionals, some of the best in the business. I’m convinced I’m alive today because of them.

Henok Ephrem
11 months ago
5

Overall Experience
Date Submitted
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