Anger, Irritability and the Move to Civilian Life: DVA-Funded Psychology for Veterans
Short fuse, losing purpose, struggling with the transition out of the ADF, or carrying moral injury: what psychologists offer, and how DVA and Open Arms pay for it so you and your family pay nothing.
By ClearAccess Psychology · 25 October 2026
The short answer: anger and the move to civilian life are two of the most common reasons veterans seek help, often together. Psychologists use CBT-based anger management, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and support for adjustment and moral injury to help you stay in control and rebuild purpose. Under Non-Liability Health Care, DVA pays a psychologist in full for anyone with at least one day of continuous full-time ADF service. Open Arms adds free counselling and couples counselling for you and your family, without a referral.
Checked against DVA's published rules on 25 October 2026. General information, not a diagnosis or treatment advice.
If you or anyone else is at risk of harm right now, call 000. Open Arms answers 24/7 on 1800 011 046. Lifeline: 13 11 14. 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732.
Why anger and transition so often go together
In the ADF you had a clear role, a chain of command, a team that had your back, and a mission. Leaving can mean losing all of that at once. It's common to feel:
- A short fuse: snapping at your partner or kids, road rage, frustration with civilians who "don't get it"
- Loss of identity and purpose: "Who am I now?"
- Disconnection from people who haven't served, or from mates who are scattered
- Restlessness or boredom without the pace and stakes you're used to
- Moral injury: guilt, shame or betrayal about things you did, saw, or couldn't prevent
- Frustration with systems: jobs, claims, paperwork
Anger is often the emotion that's easiest to show when underneath sits grief, shame, fear, exhaustion or depression. It's also a common part of PTSD, poor sleep and heavier drinking.
None of this means something is wrong with you. It means a set of responses that served you well in uniform is now costing you at home. Responses that were learned can be retrained.
What does a psychologist do about anger?
| Approach | What it involves |
|---|---|
| CBT-based anger management | Mapping your triggers and early warning signs, the thoughts that escalate things, and practising other responses: time out, de-escalation, assertive (not aggressive) communication. |
| Arousal reduction | Breathing, physical outlets and sleep work to lower the baseline, so the fuse is longer to begin with. |
| Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) | Noticing anger without being driven by it, and choosing actions based on the kind of partner, parent and mate you want to be. |
| Addressing what's underneath | Treating PTSD, depression, grief or alcohol use that's feeding the anger. |
| Moral injury work | Structured approaches to guilt, shame and betrayal, including elements of CPT and compassion-focused therapy. |
Support for the transition itself
Psychologists also help with adjustment to civilian life: rebuilding routine and purpose, translating your skills and identity, reconnecting with family, and setting goals for the next chapter. Interpersonal therapy and ACT both fit well here. Many veterans find that a handful of sessions early in transition prevents bigger problems later.
How DVA and Open Arms pay for it
DVA (with a psychologist you choose):
- Who: current and former ADF members with at least one day of continuous full-time service, including reservists with CFTS. Non-Liability Health Care covers all mental health conditions, without proving service caused them.
- Card: Veteran Gold Card, or Veteran White Card with mental health listed (MyService, "Conditions listed", or call 1800 VETERAN on 1800 838 372).
- Referral: from your usual GP. Up to 12 sessions or a year per treatment cycle, renewable as many times as clinically needed.
- Cost: nothing. A psychologist who accepts your Veteran Card must accept DVA's fee as full payment.
- Telehealth: by video, or phone when video isn't available; the first session of each cycle in person or by video.
Open Arms (free, no referral):
- Counselling for anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF, and for their partners and families.
- Couples and family counselling. DVA does not fund private psychologists for relationship therapy, so Open Arms is the place for couples work.
- Group programs and workshops, including on anger and relationships.
Many veterans use both: a private psychologist for individual therapy under DVA, and Open Arms for couples or family sessions.
Step-by-step details are in our guide to accessing DVA-funded psychology.
How to find a psychologist who bills DVA
On ClearAccess Psychology you can search for psychologists who bill DVA and work with anger or life transitions, near you or by telehealth, and narrow to psychologists who work with veterans. Every profile shows plainly what you'll pay under DVA: nothing.
Your partner, kids and mates already know the version of you who's calm, steady and present. Getting help is how you bring more of that person home.
Frequently asked questions
Does DVA pay for anger management?
DVA funds a psychologist to treat any mental health condition under Non-Liability Health Care, and anger is commonly part of conditions such as PTSD, depression, anxiety and adjustment problems. Your GP refers you for what you're experiencing; you don't need to prove a link to service.
Does DVA pay for couples counselling?
DVA does not fund psychologists to provide couples or relationship therapy. Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling provides couples counselling free for veterans and their partners, without a referral. Call 1800 011 046.
Is there help for transitioning out of the ADF?
Yes. A psychologist funded by DVA can help with adjustment, identity and purpose after service, and Open Arms offers free counselling and programs for veterans and families. Defence and DVA also provide transition support services.
What is moral injury?
Moral injury is the lasting distress, guilt, shame or sense of betrayal that can follow events that went against your moral code, such as things you did, saw or couldn't prevent. It's distinct from PTSD, though the two often occur together, and psychologists can help with both.
Can my family get support?
Yes. Open Arms offers free counselling to partners and family members of anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF, without a referral, 24/7 on 1800 011 046.
Sources
- DVA, Non-Liability Health Care (mental health) for veterans
- DVA, Clinical psychologists and psychologists (couples counselling is not funded; Open Arms provides it)
- Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling