Therapy for Men & Veterans in Poway, CA | Clarity Beyond Service

I provide therapy for men and veterans in Poway, California, supporting individuals impacted by military service, leadership stress, and major life transitions. I work with veterans and military-connected men navigating trauma, emotional-regulation challenges, and identity shifts shaped by years of responsibility and service. My role within the Poway community is to offer grounded, evidence-based therapy that is steady, respectful, and practical.


Poway offers a quieter, more residential environment while remaining closely connected to military bases and professional hubs across San Diego County. Many men here balance family responsibilities, leadership roles, and service-related identities while trying to maintain stability and composure. This local context often influences how stress, burnout, and emotional strain build beneath an outwardly steady routine.


Many men and veterans in Poway struggle with unresolved trauma, emotional containment, and the difficulty of slowing down after years of structure and responsibility-driven expectations. Clients often choose to work with me because I understand these patterns and provide therapy that is calm, direct, and grounded. My approach focuses on emotional regulation, clarity, and stability without adding more pressure or overwhelm.

Here’s what’s included

Step 1: Grounded Intake & Shared Mapping

We start with a collaborative intake session where we slow down together, map what’s happening in your body and life, and name the systems, histories, and power dynamics that have shaped how you respond. This isn’t a checkbox assessment, it’s a Freirean dialogue where your story is treated as real knowledge, not a problem to be fixed.

Step 2: Freirean Praxis Sessions (Reflection + Action)

In ongoing 1:1 sessions, we practice praxis: we reflect critically on your patterns, triggers, and environments, and then translate that insight into small, concrete actions that honor your values and your nervous system. You’ll leave each session with 1–3 grounded experiments or practices, no perfectionism, no overwhelm, just doable steps toward more dignity, choice, and ease.

Step 3: Integration, Reclaiming, and Future Alignment

As we work, we regularly pause to reflect on what’s shifting: how you’re feeling in your body, how your relationships and boundaries are changing, and what freedom looks like for you now. Together, we refine your practices, celebrate what’s working, and craft a sustainable way of living and leading that’s aligned with your values, so the transformation isn’t just a session experience, but part of your everyday life.

Explore my services

  • Therapy for Veterans

    Veteran therapy in Poway is for service members balancing family life with lingering service-related stress. Many veterans struggle with emotional shut-down, anxiety, or unresolved trauma beneath a steady routine. Clients often notice increased emotional-regulation and clarity. Stress responses become easier to manage, and daily life feels more grounded. Sessions explore how service shaped emotional patterns and self-trust. Therapy is offered in-person or virtually. For veterans seeking local therapy near you in Poway, the focus is on stability and relief.

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  • Speaking & Organizational Consulting

    During periods of change, organizations in Poway often notice gaps in structure that were previously manageable. Growth, turnover, or leadership shifts bring those gaps forward.


    Speaking and consulting engagements focus on stabilizing systems so people know who is responsible for what and how decisions are made. This creates consistency during transition.

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  • Military Transition Counseling

    Being close to an active military setting can keep your system from fully standing down. As a veteran you may find that even after leaving service, your body stays alert and your decisions stay shaped by urgency. It can feel like service never fully ended, even when your role changed.


    Military transition counseling helps interrupt that pattern in a deliberate way. We focus first on stabilizing your day to day life so choices are not driven by pressure or exhaustion. That includes sleep, routines, boundaries, and how your nervous system learned to stay effective in high demand environments. Regulation comes before reinvention.


    From there, the work shifts toward identity and leadership outside the uniform. We take time to clarify what parts of your military identity still serve you and where support is still needed. The goal is not to erase who you were, but to help you move forward with direction, self trust, and a sense of leadership that fits who you are now.

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  • Trauma Therapy for Veterans

    Loss of structure can make trauma responses louder rather than quieter. In Poway, many veterans notice that without clear routines or external demands, stress shows up as tension, irritability, or difficulty settling into daily life.


    Trauma therapy begins by creating stability where it is missing. We focus on grounding the nervous system through predictable routines, stress regulation, and pacing, so your body is not constantly scanning for what comes next. There is no rush to process experiences before your system can tolerate calm.


    As the work develops, we look at how trauma shapes identity and decision making after service. We identify where survival strategies like overcontrol, withdrawal, or rigidity still operate and introduce practical supports that allow for more flexibility and choice.


    Trauma therapy here supports steadiness, clearer self direction, and leadership over your own life rather than reliance on constant discipline or urgency.

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  • PTSD treatment for Veterans

    When structure falls away, PTSD responses often become more noticeable. In Poway, many veterans describe feeling unsteady, tense, or easily overwhelmed once clear routines and external demands disappear.


    PTSD treatment here focuses on rebuilding stability from the ground up. We start with the present by creating predictability in daily rhythms and reducing the load on your nervous system. This work does not push exposure or memory work before your system can tolerate calm.


    As we move forward, we pay close attention to how PTSD influences choices, boundaries, and leadership outside military systems. We look at where rigidity, avoidance, or constant readiness still operate and introduce practical supports that allow more flexibility without losing reliability.

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  • Anxiety Therapy for Veterans

    When structure feels unclear, anxiety often fills the gap. In Poway, VA related stress can show up as constant mental planning, difficulty relaxing, and the sense that you need to stay one step ahead just to keep things from unraveling.


    This anxiety develops over time. When systems feel unpredictable, your nervous system learns to stay engaged and prepared for problems before they appear. That constant readiness takes a toll on focus, sleep, and patience.


    Anxiety therapy here focuses on restoring predictability. We work on reducing background stress, organizing demands, and helping your body experience consistency again so vigilance is no longer the default.

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  • Depression Therapy for Veterans

    Losing clear structure can make depression harder to recognize. If you are a veteran in Poway, you may notice low energy, stalled follow through, and difficulty making decisions once routines and external demands become less defined.


    This service is designed for veterans whose depression shows up as slowdown rather than crisis. After years of operating with clear expectations and consequences, your system may struggle when direction feels vague. Energy drops, motivation fades, and daily tasks require more effort than they should.


    Depression therapy focuses on rebuilding stability first. We work on restoring daily rhythm, clarifying priorities, and reducing mental load so your system can regain momentum without forcing productivity. Structure comes before motivation.

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  • Anger Therapy for Veterans

    In Poway, anger often builds when structure is unclear and demands feel constant. You may find yourself reacting faster than you intend, especially when plans change, expectations are vague, or you feel responsible for keeping things on track.


    Anger control counseling focuses on helping you recognize early warning signs and regulate before reactions spike. The work is practical and structured, aimed at giving you more control over your responses rather than asking you to suppress anger or ignore it.

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  • Sex and Intimacy Therapy for Men

    Changes in routine or structure often show up in intimacy first. For veterans in Poway, sex therapy helps address performance issues, reduced desire, or withdrawal that follow stress or identity shifts. We focus on how regulation, attention, and safety influence sexual response. Therapy supports rebuilding confidence and connection without forcing outcomes or relying on pressure.

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I serve veterans in Poway.

Veterans in Poway often connect from areas near Rancho Bernardo, Scripps Ranch, and inland North County. I also serve veterans commuting from Escondido, Miramar, and surrounding communities.

“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

Hello, I’m Richard De La Garza, a licensed therapist for veterans focused on anxiety, depression, and life after military service.

I’m Richard De La Garza, a veteran mental health provider supporting veterans in Poway. My work focuses on trauma therapy, anxiety treatment, and helping men rebuild structure and clarity after military service.

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.