VA Office Space Crisis: Layoffs, Facility Sales, and What It Means for Veterans’ Mental Health Care

As the founder of HadIt.com and a veteran who’s navigated the VA system firsthand, I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years—some good, some not so much. But the current situation with VA office space, layoffs, and facility sales is one of the most troubling I’ve come across. If you’re a veteran (or care about one), you need to know what’s happening and how it could impact your access to real, confidential mental health care.

What’s Happening to Privacy in VA Therapy?

There have been credible reports that VA therapists were being forced to conduct sessions in shared cubicles or “pod” setups—basically call-center style arrangements where it’s impossible to guarantee privacy. Imagine trying to talk about your PTSD or depression with other people just a few feet away. That’s not just uncomfortable—it’s a violation of the trust and confidentiality veterans deserve.^[1]

Earlier in 2025, some VA therapists were even told to read a script to veterans at the start of sessions, saying, “While I will strive to uphold your privacy, I cannot assure complete confidentiality.”^[2] That was deeply concerning, and it drew significant backlash from both mental health professionals and the veteran community.

Update:
Following this outcry, the VA has revoked that privacy disclaimer script. In an April 12, 2025 memo, the VA clarified that all therapy sessions—whether in-person or telehealth—must take place in private, confidential spaces, and that these spaces should “foster trusted, confidential, and therapeutic relationships with Veterans.” The new guidance says telehealth should offer the same level of privacy as an in-person visit.^[9] This is a positive step, but many clinicians are still waiting to see how the VA will ensure enough private offices are actually available in crowded facilities.

Layoffs: Will Firing 80,000 VA Employees Fix the Space Problem?

The Trump administration has announced plans to lay off 80,000 VA employees, supposedly to cut costs and bring staffing back to pre-2019 levels. You might think this would free up office space, but here’s the reality:

• Mental health providers aren’t being laid off. Their workspace needs stay the same.
• VA facilities were already short on space. For example, the Indianapolis VA was 300+ desks short and had zero private workspaces even before these changes started.^[4]
• Consolidation will likely make things worse. Fewer staff might mean more crowding in the spaces that remain, not less.

Facility Sales: How Many VA Buildings Are Really on the Chopping Block?

On top of layoffs, there’s a plan to sell off “non-core” federal properties—443 buildings were on the original list, some of them VA facilities.^[5] The administration hasn’t said exactly how many VA buildings will be sold, and the list keeps changing. What we do know is that selling off facilities isn’t going to help veterans get more private space for therapy. If anything, it’ll make the problem worse.

The push to privatize care under Project 2025 means more veterans will be sent to community clinics, but those places aren’t set up for the kind of confidential, veteran-focused care we need.^[6]

Why This Matters: Ethics, Access, and Trust

Here’s the bottom line: Therapy is supposed to be confidential. Shared cubicles and “pods” break that promise and could violate HIPAA.^[3] Veterans already avoid VA mental health care because they don’t trust the system to keep things private. These new policies could drive even more of us away from the help we need.

And with fewer staff and fewer facilities, wait times for appointments will get longer. That’s not just inconvenient—it’s dangerous, especially considering the higher suicide risk among veterans.

What Are the Experts and Lawmakers Saying?

The American Psychological Association has spoken out against these policies, warning that they put both care and confidentiality at risk.^[7] A group of 20 House Democrats has also raised concerns about the lack of private spaces for therapy. But so far, the administration is sticking to its plan, even dismissing HIPAA concerns as “nonsensical.”^[8]

My Take

I started HadIt.com because I was frustrated with how hard it was to get the information and support I needed from the VA. I wanted to make it easier for the veterans coming after me. What’s happening now is the opposite of progress. We need policies that put veterans first—not cost-cutting measures that make it harder to get real, private, life-changing care.

If you’re a veteran, a family member, or a VA employee, speak up. Share your story. Let’s make sure the people making these decisions hear from the folks who know what’s really at stake.

Sources

1. NPR Report on Therapist Privacy Concerns (April 11, 2025)
2. Popular Information Report on Open Cubicle Therapy (March 10, 2025)
3. Reuters Report on Mental Health Services Disruptions (March 20, 2025)
4. VA Space Reduction Initiative Document (VA.gov)
5. Federal Property Sales Initiative Report (GSA.gov, March 2025)
6. Project 2025 Healthcare Reform Proposal (Heritage Foundation)
7. American Psychological Association Statement on VA Privacy Concerns (March 30, 2025)
8. NPR Report on Back-to-Office Orders Impacting Veterans (March 25, 2025)
9. NPR Update: VA Revokes Privacy Script, Requires Confidential Therapy Spaces (April 12, 2025)

If you have questions, stories, or want to connect with other veterans navigating the VA system, join us at HadIt.com Veterans.