Therapist in National City, CA | Trauma & PTSD
Keeping a family, a shift, or a small business running in a working port town leaves little room to stop and acknowledge how heavy that responsibility actually feels. I work with leaders in National City who are ready to move past old survival habits and take real control of their life. Most clients are men managing trauma, PTSD, or anger built up through years of steady, physically demanding responsibility, and this is equally an affirming, bilingual space for BIPOC, LGBTQ, and neurodivergent clients.
Shaped by the Naval Base San Diego shipyards, the historic stretch known as the Mile of Cars, and neighborhoods built by generations of working families close to the bay, National City carries the identity of a community that keeps the region running through steady, hands on labor. Many clients here work shifts tied directly to the Navy or the port, carrying responsibility that does not pause for a standard nine to five.
A working town built around shift work and shipyard labor tends to treat exhaustion as simply part of the job, which makes it easy to overlook how much that exhaustion is actually costing someone underneath. Many clients arrive after trying to push through on their own for years, assuming therapy was not built with their schedule or their story in mind. As a bilingual, bicultural, neurodivergent clinician, I built this practice to meet that reality directly, in the language and rhythm that actually fits your life.

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

Leaders in National City, many working shifts tied to the port or the Navy, often come to individual therapy assuming their schedule leaves no real room for it. This work treats race, sexuality, and neurodivergence as real context, offered around the rhythm of shift work rather than a rigid nine to five. Clients tend to notice clearer thinking and steadier relationships. Sessions are available virtually or in person.
Trauma often hides behind years of steady, physically demanding work, where emotional shutdown or a body stuck on alert goes unnoticed by everyone counting on that same reliability. These patterns often persist quietly for years. 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 are often mistaken here for simply being used to hard, demanding shifts. Relief tends to come gradually, with reactions softening and genuine rest becoming possible again. Sessions prioritize pacing and safety, offered virtually or in person.
Men working demanding shifts in National City are often expected to simply push through fatigue and never mention the cost of it, and this work exists for the ones ready to feel steady instead of just tired but functional. Sessions are offered virtually or in person for men across the community.
Long, physically demanding shifts can quietly erode intimacy, leaving many clients carrying private shame about it they never bring up. This work creates room for that shame to soften and for connection to feel real again. Sessions are offered virtually or in person, without judgment.
Years of physically demanding, high responsibility shift work can leave reactions running hotter than a situation actually warrants at home. This work builds real space between the trigger and the reaction. Sessions are offered virtually or in person with real accountability.
Veterans and Navy connected leaders in National City often carry discipline built at the shipyard or on active duty that no longer has a clear place to go in civilian life. This work supports moving from a highly structured environment into one you now define yourself. Sessions are available virtually or in person.
Shipyard, port, and military connected organizations across National City reach out when their people are functioning through demanding shifts but quietly struggling underneath. This consulting and speaking work builds real clarity into physically demanding, high responsibility environments. Engagements are offered in person locally or virtually.

I serve clients in this location

I work with leaders throughout National City and the surrounding South Bay, including Chula Vista and Barrio Logan, offering both in person and virtual, bilingual sessions built around shift work and demanding schedules.

“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 Richard De La Garza- LCSW, a trauma and PTSD therapist for leaders

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 bring that same understanding to the men, BIPOC, LGBTQ, and neurodivergent leaders working hard in National City. 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.