This page is written for VA staff, clinicians, and administrators who want a clear, plain-language understanding of what the Listening Post is, how it is used, and where its boundaries are.
The Listening Post is not a clinical tool, a monitoring system, or a therapeutic intervention. It is a private, self-directed conversation space designed to support reflection and emotional clarity — without assessment, oversight, or required participation.
Purpose of the Listening Post
The Listening Post exists to offer Veterans a quiet, private space to pause and put thoughts into words.
It is designed for self-reflection, not treatment. Veterans use it on their own terms, at their own pace, for as long — or as briefly — as they choose. The focus is on helping individuals hear themselves more clearly, not on guiding outcomes or producing change.
Scope and Boundaries
The Listening Post is intentionally limited in scope. It does not provide therapy, counseling, diagnosis, crisis support, or medical advice. It does not assess risk, evaluate mental health status, or generate clinical recommendations. It is not intended to replace or supplement clinical care, peer support programs, or existing VA services.
Its role is singular: to provide a private, non-clinical space for reflection.
Relationship to Clinical Care
The Listening Post operates entirely outside clinical workflows. It does not integrate with electronic health records, treatment plans, or care teams. No information from the Listening Post is shared with providers, and its use does not create new obligations for clinicians or staff.
Veterans may choose to use the Listening Post alongside other forms of care — or not at all.
Privacy and Data Handling (Overview)
The Listening Post is built to be private by design.
Conversations are not monitored, reviewed, or evaluated by people. They are not shared, reported, or incorporated into medical or VA records. The system exists only to support the immediate conversation experience.
(Detailed information about privacy, data handling, and system boundaries is addressed separately and can be reviewed in full.)
Veteran Participation
Participation in the Listening Post is entirely voluntary. There are no requirements related to frequency of use, duration, or content. Veterans may stop using the Listening Post at any time, without notice or consequence. There are no engagement targets, reports, or performance measures tied to participation. Use of the Listening Post is a personal choice.
Pilot and Access Model
When introduced within an institutional context, the Listening Post is typically offered through a time-limited pilot.
When introduced within an institution, the Listening Post is typically offered for a defined period, with clear scope and institutional sponsorship, and designed to be non-intrusive. It does not rely on usage monitoring or outcome measurement, and structured to respect Veteran autonomy and privacy.
Specific terms are defined collaboratively.
What This Page Does Not Cover
This page does not address clinical outcomes, research design, or program evaluation. It is not a substitute for internal policy review, compliance assessment, or institutional approval processes.
Its purpose is to provide clarity about scope, intent, and boundaries — nothing more.
Closing
The Listening Post is intentionally modest in what it offers and firm in what it does not.
Questions and clarifications are welcome, particularly around scope, privacy, and appropriate use. You can reach us here.
Related Information
- A Private Place to Slow Down and Hear Yourself
- How the Listening Post Works — a plain explanation of what to expect
- Questions Veterans Often Ask — privacy, records, and boundaries
- Listening Post for Veterans — create your private space, available at no cost
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