Therapist in Poway, CA | Trauma & PTSD
Building a career and a family in a community known for good schools and quiet streets does not mean the pressure to provide for both ever really lets up. I work with people here who are ready to move past old survival habits and start actually becoming a better version of themselves. My clients include veterans, men, and women managing trauma, PTSD, or anxiety while trying to stay present for a family that depends on their steadiness, and this is equally an affirming space for BIPOC, LGBTQ, and neurodivergent clients raising families in this community.
Known locally as the city in the country, with business parks along Community Road, top rated schools throughout its neighborhoods, and open space trails winding through the surrounding hills, Poway has built a reputation as a place families choose specifically to raise children well. Many clients here are commuting into demanding roles elsewhere in the county while trying to stay fully present once they get home.
A community built around family stability can make it especially hard to admit when the person providing that stability is struggling privately. Many clients arrive after quietly managing years of pressure alone, worried that asking for help might unsettle the very stability they have worked so hard to build. As a bilingual, bicultural, neurodivergent clinician, I built this practice around a different premise: taking care of yourself is what makes real stability possible in the first place.

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 Poway often come to individual therapy after years of quietly managing pressure alone to protect the stability their family relies on. This work treats race, sexuality, and neurodivergence as real context rather than complications to hide. Clients tend to notice clearer thinking and steadier relationships. Sessions are available virtually or in person throughout the community.
Trauma can hide easily behind a stable, family oriented life, where emotional shutdown or a body stuck on alert goes unnoticed even at home. These patterns often persist quietly for years even while everything looks settled 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 can be easy to overlook when a household otherwise looks calm and well managed. Relief tends to come gradually, with reactions softening and rest genuinely improving. Sessions prioritize pacing and safety, offered virtually or in person.
Men in Poway are often expected to be the reliable, steady presence for their families no matter what, and this work exists for the ones ready to actually feel steady instead of just appearing that way. Sessions are offered virtually or in person for men throughout the community.
Family responsibilities and long commutes can quietly erode intimacy, leaving many clients carrying private shame about it that never gets addressed. 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.
Carrying pressure from a demanding job home to a family that deserves your full presence can leave a shorter fuse than anyone intends. This work builds real space between the trigger and the reaction. Sessions are offered virtually or in person with real accountability.
Veterans raising families in a community like Poway often carry discipline that no longer has an obvious outlet once the structure of service is gone. This work supports moving from a highly structured environment into one you now define yourself. Sessions are available virtually or in person.
Organizations and teams across Poway, including military connected groups, reach out when their people are functioning but quietly struggling underneath. This consulting and speaking work builds real clarity and psychological safety into family oriented, high responsibility environments. Engagements are offered in person locally or virtually.

I serve clients in this location

I work with people throughout Poway and the surrounding communities, including Rancho Bernardo and Scripps Ranch, offering both in person and virtual sessions built around demanding commutes and family 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 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 bring that same understanding to the veterans, men, women, and BIPOC, LGBTQ, and neurodivergent clients raising families in Poway. 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.