Retired infantryman makes veterans' mental health care his mission

Charles Weber enlisted in the Army in 1989 and joined Eleven Bravo Infantry. He spent 27 years in the military, and as an infantryman, "Chuck" Weber had firsthand experience in the life of a soldier. From KP and digging latrines to battle training and war games, he acquired intimate knowledge of military life before retiring in November 2016. After 27 years of military service, Dr. Weber now serves those who served.

Now Dr. Chuck Weber, DO, he's a board-certified psychiatrist with a well-established practice in Colorado Springs, and he has a lot to offer the military community. With his background and experience, along with a state-of-the-art holistic approach to treatment, Dr. Weber is a veteran's best ally in securing positive mental health outcomes.

During his Army years, Dr. Weber had the opportunity to attend the United States Military Academy. He graduated in 1995 with a degree in Computer Science Engineering with a minor in Premed and Business Management. He was able to further his career goals by attending Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating with a degree in Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine in 2002. True to his military roots, Dr. Weber completed his internship at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. At that time Chuck Weber was the one and only enlisted psychiatrist.

After 14 years of clinical and leadership experience, Dr. Weber opened the Family Care Center in Colorado Springs where he and his staff focus on assisting DoD veterans and family members as well as the Colorado Springs Community. Using a holistic approach to address structure and function, the Family Care Center's goal is reducing suffering and improving the quality of life for their clients.

Drawing on his experience as an infantry soldier as well as his clinical and administrative background, Dr. Weber understands the importance of offering a variety of services to treat veterans, their families and their community. Dr. Weber was the Chief of the Department of Behavioral Health at Evans Army Hospital. He was also the first Installation Director of Psychological Health for Ft. Carson. He also worked as a consultant for the Army Substance Abuse Program.

Dr. Weber offers an individualized selection of evidence-based biological, psychological, social and spiritual practices to reduce suffering in his patients and to improve outcomes. Along with medication, if needed, Dr. Weber offers transcranial magnetic stimulation and ketamine infusions to treat resistant depression. His team of dedicated and highly skilled therapists offer individual and group therapy as well as family and marriage counseling. The Family Care Center encourages holistic growth with activities such as yoga and mindfulness.

Dr. Weber is deeply concerned about the high rate of suicides in the veteran community. Nationally, there were more than 6,000 veteran suicides per year between 2008 - 2016, as reported by the Department of Defense. Quoting from Denver's Mile High Magazine (October 9, 2017), "Veterans in the Western States die by suicide at significantly higher rates than the rest of the country, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs latest data." Dr. Weber pointed out that in Colorado, 18% of veteran suicides occur in El Paso County.

In response to these heart-breaking statistics, Dr. Weber started a nonprofit agency to obtain much-needed treatment for those who may not be eligible or have the financial means to pay for services. The Colorado Veterans Health and Wellness Agency is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides grant-funded mental health counseling and services. Dr. Weber's Family Care Clinic is proud to be affiliated with this nonprofit.

In addition to writing grants to help fund much-needed services for the veteran community, Dr. Weber is board certified in addiction medication and has been the consultant for Army Substance Abuse Program on two Army posts. He also shares his knowledge through health and wellness presentations to other agency such as Pathways for Veterans.

In order to maintain communications in the DOD community, Dr. Weber created a weekly blog site. He and 38 other contributors to this site provide readers with unique perspectives and informative articles. The blog can be found at www.fcsprings.com.

Finally, as a teaching preceptor for Rocky Vista Medical School and several psychiatric nurse practitioner programs, Dr. Weber helps to train the next generation of providers to the vet community. Through these all these programs, Dr. Weber passes on his knowledge, experience and passion to ensure continued service for America's veterans, families and extended community.

Dr. Chuck Weber and the Family Care Clinic are well-respected in the veteran mental health community for providing compassionate and timely care for those in need.