Therapist in Encinitas, CA | Trauma & PTSD
Owning a studio, running a wellness brand, or leading a business in a town built around self care does not automatically mean a person has actually addressed what is underneath their own stress. I work with people here who are ready to move past surface level calm and start actually becoming a better version of themselves. My clients include veterans, men, and women managing trauma, PTSD, or anxiety that yoga and clean eating alone never resolved, and this is equally an affirming space for BIPOC, LGBTQ, and neurodivergent clients who want something more substantial than a wellness trend.
From the surf breaks below Swami's and Moonlight Beach to the yoga studios and juice bars lining Highway 101, from Leucadia's laid back streets to the growing business community further inland, Encinitas has built an identity around wellness that shapes how its leaders are expected to show up. Many clients here run the very businesses that sell calm to everyone else while privately struggling to access it themselves.
A town this associated with wellness culture can make it especially hard to admit that a green smoothie and a yoga class have not actually touched the real problem. Many clients arrive after trying every surface level fix available before finally looking for something with more substance underneath it. As a bilingual, bicultural, neurodivergent clinician, I built this practice around real clinical depth rather than trend, treating your nervous system as the actual starting point.

Here’s what’s included

Step 1: Grounded Intake & Shared Mapping

We start with a collaborative session where we slow down together, map what is happening in your body and your life, and name the systems, histories, and pressures that have shaped how you respond. This is not a checkbox process. It is a dialogue where your story is treated as real knowledge, not a problem waiting to be fixed.

Step 2: Freirean Praxis Sessions (Reflection + Action)

In ongoing one on one sessions, we reflect critically on your patterns, triggers, and environments, then translate that insight into small, concrete actions that honor your values and your nervous system. You leave each session with one to three grounded practices to try, nothing overwhelming, just doable steps toward more dignity, choice, and ease.

Step 3: Integration, Reclaiming, and Future Alignment

We regularly pause to notice what is shifting: how you feel in your body, how your relationships and boundaries are changing, and what taking control of your life actually looks like now. Together we refine what is working and build a sustainable way of leading and living that stays aligned with your values long after the session ends.

My services and specializations

People in Encinitas often come to individual therapy after exhausting every wellness trend available without ever reaching the actual source of their stress. This work treats race, sexuality, and neurodivergence as real context rather than details to smooth over with a green juice. Clients tend to notice clearer thinking and a genuine sense of agency returning to their days. Sessions are available virtually or in person along the coast.
A polished, wellness forward exterior can hide trauma just as effectively as any other kind of composure, leaving emotional shutdown or a constantly alert body unnoticed by everyone around a client. These patterns often persist quietly even while daily life looks calm from the outside. Over time, clients tend to notice their nervous system genuinely settling. Sessions are offered virtually or in person, at a sustainable pace.
Hypervigilance and disrupted sleep do not resolve through breathwork alone, and many clients here have tried exactly that before finally seeking something more substantial. Relief tends to come gradually, with reactions softening and rest genuinely improving over time. Sessions prioritize pacing and safety over speed, offered virtually or in person.
Men in Encinitas are often expected to look effortlessly calm in a town built around wellness, and this work exists for the ones ready to actually feel steady instead of simply appearing zen. Sessions are offered virtually or in person for men throughout the coastal community.
Even in a town this focused on wellness, disconnection and shame around intimacy can persist quietly for years without ever being properly addressed. This work makes room for that shame to soften and for connection to feel authentic rather than another aesthetic to maintain. Sessions are offered virtually or in person, without judgment.
A calm public image does not mean reactions underneath are actually calm, and many clients here notice irritability that feels at odds with the peaceful life they have built. This work builds real space between the trigger and the response. Sessions are offered virtually or in person with real accountability.
Veterans who settle in a wellness focused coastal town like this one often find that surface level calm does not resolve identity questions left over from service. This work supports moving from a highly structured environment into one you now define yourself. Sessions are available virtually or in person.
Wellness brands, studios, and organizations across Encinitas, including military connected groups, reach out when their teams look composed but are quietly struggling underneath. This consulting and speaking work builds real clarity into cultures that already talk about wellness constantly but rarely practice it clinically. Engagements are offered in person locally or virtually.

I serve clients in this location

I work with people throughout Encinitas and the surrounding coast, including Carlsbad and Solana Beach, offering both in person and virtual sessions for clients who have already tried the surface level fixes and are ready for something with more depth.

“Richard’s work reflects both intellectual depth and genuine care. He brings clarity, discipline, and empathy to every role, making him an exceptional clinician and consultant.”

— Academic & Clinical Reference

“Richard combines clinical skill with deep leadership. He brings clarity, compassion, and structure to complex environments, empowering individuals and families to move forward with dignity and accountability.”

— Keith D. Washington, LCSW, DCSW

“Richard’s leadership in high-pressure military systems stood out immediately. His ability to balance clinical judgment, teamwork, and mission readiness makes him a trusted guide in complex, real-world settings.”

— Senior Military Supervisor

“What sets Richard apart is his ability to connect systems, people, and purpose. He leads with integrity, cultural awareness, and a deep respect for lived experience.”

— Community Mental Health Colleague

“Richard creates spaces where growth feels possible. His approach is thoughtful, structured, and human—especially for those navigating leadership, identity, and high-stakes environments.”

— Professional Peer

“Richard’s work reflects both intellectual depth and genuine care. He brings clarity, discipline, and empathy to every role, making him an exceptional clinician and consultant.”

— Academic & Clinical Reference

“Richard combines clinical skill with deep leadership. He brings clarity, compassion, and structure to complex environments, empowering individuals and families to move forward with dignity and accountability.”

— Keith D. Washington, LCSW, DCSW

Testimonials

Portrait of a smiling man in dark clothing against a black background

I'm Dr. Richard De La Garza- and I’m a Mexican American / Chicano Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, doctoral scholar, and U.S. Army veteran with more than twenty years across hospitals, community clinics, and federal systems. As a bilingual, bicultural, neurodivergent clinician, I offer people in Encinitas real clinical depth beneath the wellness trends. People don't just recover here. They rise.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How does this work?

    We start with a complimentary 15‑minute consultation to see whether we’re a good fit and to answer any initial questions. If we decide to work together, we’ll schedule your first full session and complete intake forms through a secure online portal.


    In our sessions, we meet virtually (or in person if you’re in San Diego, CA and choose that option). We’ll slow down, map what’s going on in your life and body, and set goals together rather than imposing a one‑size‑fits‑all plan.


    I draw from several approaches—including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma‑informed care, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), strength‑based and compassion‑based practices—while centering intersectionality and cultural context. That means we look not only at your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, but also at how identity, history, and systems shape your experience. Each session is a mix of reflection and concrete practices, so you leave with 1–3 grounded steps to try between sessions.


    Therapy is typically weekly or bi‑weekly at first, and we’ll regularly check in about how it’s going, what’s shifting, and whether the frequency or focus needs to be adjusted.

  • Can I use insurance?

    I do not accept insurance at this time. All services are self‑pay, and payment is due at the time of service.


    Many clients choose to use HSA/FSA funds or speak with their insurance provider about any out‑of‑network benefits that might apply. I’m happy to answer questions about fees and payment so you can make an informed decision before beginning.


    You also have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of the expected costs of your services, in line with the No Surprises Act.

  • What technology do I need?

    Virtual sessions are held through a secure, HIPAA‑compliant video platform.


    You’ll need:


    • A stable internet connection
    • A smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone
    • A private, quiet space where you feel comfortable speaking openly
    • Headphones or earbuds (recommended for privacy and sound quality)

    Before each session, you’ll receive a link by email; you simply click it at your appointment time—no special software is required beyond an up‑to‑date browser.

  • What happens if I need to cancel?

    Life happens, and sometimes you need to reschedule. I ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or change an appointment.


    • Cancellations or reschedules made more than 24 hours in advance: no fee.
    • Cancellations, reschedules, or no‑shows within 24 hours of your appointment: you will be responsible for the full session fee.

    This policy helps protect the time I set aside for you and ensures that appointments are available for others who may be waiting. If you’re unsure whether you’ll be able to attend, please reach out as soon as you can so we can explore options.

  • Good Faith Estimate

    What is a Good Faith Estimate?


    If you are paying out of pocket (not using insurance), you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) outlining the expected cost of your therapy.


    A Good Faith Estimate includes:


    • Describes the type of services we’re planning (for example, weekly 50-minute sessions)
    • Outlines the estimated total cost over a period of time (for example, 3–6 months)
    • Is provided in writing before we begin ongoing therapy

    This is an estimate, not a contract. If we adjust your treatment plan—such as meeting more or less often—I will update the estimate to reflect our new agreement.


    Under the No Surprises Act, if your actual charges are significantly higher than the estimate, you may have the right to dispute the bill. This law is designed to promote transparency, so you can make informed decisions about your care.