Mental Health Care for Veterans and Military in Texas and New Mexico
Lyte Psychiatry takes the mental health of veterans and active military seriously. Our providers understand combat-related PTSD, moral injury, traumatic brain injury, and what it actually feels like to leave the structure of military life behind. We are not a program that checks a box. We are a practice that provides real psychiatric care to the people who have carried the most.
Combat PTSD
About 1 in 5 veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan develop PTSD, and roughly 30% of Vietnam veterans have had PTSD at some point in their lives. Combat PTSD involves intrusive memories, nightmares, hypervigilance, emotional numbing, and avoiding anything that triggers reminders of trauma. Without treatment it tears apart relationships, ends careers, and ends lives. Lyte Psychiatry provides thorough PTSD evaluations and medication management including SSRIs and prazosin for nightmares.
Moral Injury: When Trauma Goes Beyond Fear
Many veterans carry something that does not fit neatly into a PTSD diagnosis. Researchers call it moral injury: the psychological wound of having participated in, witnessed, or failed to prevent actions that violated deeply held moral beliefs. Litz and colleagues defined moral injury in military contexts as distinct from PTSD. PTSD is fear-driven. Moral injury is driven by guilt, shame, and the sense of having betrayed your own values. The two often coexist. Treating one without the other leaves people stuck.
Traumatic Brain Injury and Mood
TBI is one of the signature injuries of post-9/11 wars, caused by blast exposure, falls, and direct impact. It frequently produces depression, irritability, impulsivity, sleep disruption, and cognitive fog that looks identical to PTSD or bipolar disorder. Untangling what is TBI-related from what is a separate psychiatric condition requires a careful evaluation. Our providers are experienced with TBI-related mood presentations and coordinate with neurologists when needed.
Transition and Reintegration
Leaving military service removes the structure, purpose, and sense of belonging that defined daily life. Veterans face higher rates of unemployment, homelessness, and substance use during transition than the general population. Depression, anxiety, and identity disruption are common. Many veterans spend years trying to white-knuckle their way through it before asking for help. We do not require a crisis to justify care. Call us before it gets to that point.
Conditions We Treat
- Combat PTSD
- Moral Injury
- TBI-Related Mood Disorders
- Major Depression
- Generalized Anxiety
- Panic Disorder
- Insomnia
- Substance Use Disorders
- Military Sexual Trauma
- Reintegration Challenges
- Survivor Guilt
- Anger and Irritability
How to Get Started
Book online or call us
Visit lytepsych.com or call 469-733-0848. Let us know you're looking for Veterans & Military care — we'll match you with the right provider.
Complete your intake
Fill out a brief intake form. Our team verifies your insurance before your appointment so there are no billing surprises.
See your provider
Choose in-person at our Pantego, TX clinic (DFW area) or a secure video appointment from anywhere in Texas or New Mexico.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lyte Psychiatry treat combat PTSD?
Yes. Our board-certified providers have direct experience evaluating and treating combat-related PTSD. We use first-line treatments including sertraline and paroxetine, the only two medications with FDA approval specifically for PTSD, along with prazosin for nightmares. We coordinate with VA providers when patients want integrated care.
Can veterans access telehealth psychiatry in Texas?
Yes. Lyte Psychiatry provides HIPAA-compliant telehealth to all Texas and New Mexico residents including veterans in areas with no nearby VA facility. Same-week appointments are available. You do not need a VA referral. We accept major commercial insurance, Ambetter, and offer self-pay rates.
What is the difference between PTSD and moral injury?
PTSD is rooted in fear from perceived threat. Moral injury comes from participating in or witnessing events that violated deeply held moral beliefs. Research by Litz and colleagues formally defined moral injury in military contexts. The two often co-occur but need different therapeutic approaches. Lyte Psychiatry screens for both at the initial evaluation.
Does Lyte Psychiatry treat active-duty military?
Yes. Active-duty service members and their families are welcome. We accept most major commercial plans. Telehealth appointments can be conducted from any private location. Records are confidential and not shared with the chain of command without your written authorization.
How common are mental health conditions among veterans?
The CDC documents significantly higher rates of depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders among veterans compared to the general population. The VA's most recent data show approximately 17 veterans die by suicide each day. If you are in crisis right now, call or text 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.
What medications are used for PTSD in veterans?
VA and DoD clinical guidelines identify sertraline and paroxetine as FDA-approved first-line medications for PTSD. Venlafaxine also has strong evidence. Prazosin is widely used for combat nightmares. Benzodiazepines are generally avoided in PTSD because they worsen long-term outcomes.
Does Lyte Psychiatry accept VA insurance?
We accept many major commercial plans. For VA Community Care Network referrals, eligibility depends on your VA facility and distance from VA care. Call 469-733-0848 and we will verify your coverage. Veterans who are uninsured may qualify for self-pay rates.
What should a veteran do in a mental health crisis?
Call or text 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, available 24/7. You can also chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net. For non-emergency care, Lyte Psychiatry offers same-week telehealth appointments across Texas and New Mexico. No referral required.
Trusted Resources & Sources
NIMH — Mental Health Topics
Evidence-based information on all major mental health conditions
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential 24/7 referral service: 1-800-662-4357
CDC — Mental Health
Public health data and resources on mental health in the U.S.
NAMI — Mental Illness Overview
National Alliance on Mental Illness — patient and family education
Lyte Psychiatry's content is reviewed by board-certified psychiatrists and references peer-reviewed research and federal health agency data.
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