Therapy for Men & Veterans in Solana Beach,CA | Rise With Purpose

If you are living in Solana Beach, CA, you may have built a life that looks calm and well structured on the outside while still carrying the internal readiness shaped by military service. I provide veteran centered therapy for military connected adults navigating trauma, PTSD, neurodiversity, and identity shifts after service. Whether you are commuting toward Torrey Pines, Del Mar, or downtown San Diego for leadership roles, I offer in person therapy in San Diego and virtual sessions designed to help you move from constant internal pressure into grounded, intentional leadership.


Living in Solana Beach often means balancing high responsibility with a coastal rhythm that appears slower and steady. You might start your day near Fletcher Cove, drive the 5 toward biotech or defense work, or manage family life in a close knit North County community. Even in a place known for ocean air and measured pace, the discipline and vigilance learned in service do not automatically turn off. The expectation to perform, decide, and carry responsibility can remain constant beneath the surface.


You may have tried therapy before and gained awareness, yet still found yourself operating at full speed under stress. What you are likely looking for now is support that understands military culture, respects your lived experience, and helps you translate strength into calm, sustainable structure you can practice consistently in your work, your relationships, and your everyday decisions.


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 Solana Beach is for service members who appear settled externally but feel internally on edge. Anxiety, emotional suppression, or difficulty slowing down are common after years of service-driven structure.


    Clients often experience more emotional ease and grounding. Reactions soften, and rest begins to feel safer.


    Sessions explore how service continues influencing emotional-regulation and identity. Therapy is offered virtually, supporting veterans in Solana Beach with a focus on balance and stability.

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  • Speaking & Organizational Consulting

    Speaking and organizational consulting in Solana Beach is for organizations, teams, and leaders working in high-responsibility environments where pressure is often carried quietly beneath an outwardly calm culture. This work often supports professional teams, leadership groups, and mission-driven organizations navigating burnout, communication strain, and the emotional load of sustained expectations.


    Organizations that engage in this work often experience clearer communication, stronger emotional-awareness, and more grounded leadership presence. Teams move out of reactive patterns, leaders gain more capacity to self-regulate under pressure, and workplace dynamics begin to feel steadier and more sustainable. The focus is on supporting people without adding complexity or performance pressure.


    Sessions and engagements explore how chronic stress, trauma-exposure, and leadership dynamics shape culture, relationships, and long-term stability. Consulting is delivered virtually, allowing organizations in Solana Beach to access support without disrupting daily operations. This work centers on clarity, regulation, and building systems that help teams function well without remaining in survival-mode.

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  • Military Transition Counseling

    Military transition counseling in Solana Beach supports service members who are stepping into civilian life while still carrying internal urgency, structure, and responsibility shaped by years of service. Many clients experience identity-shifts, emotional shut-down, anxiety, or difficulty slowing down, even in an environment that appears calm and balanced from the outside. The transition can feel especially disorienting when external life encourages ease but internal pressure remains high.


    Over time, clients often experience greater emotional-regulation and a steadier sense of self. Reactions become less intense, daily decisions feel more manageable, and there is more capacity to rest without feeling unmotivated or unsafe. Many service members begin reconnecting with values and direction that feel authentic beyond rank, role, or constant readiness.


    Sessions tend to explore how military culture, long-term structure, and service-related experiences continue shaping emotional responses during transition. Counseling is offered virtually, providing flexible support for service members in Solana Beach as they navigate this period of change. This work focuses on grounding, clarity, and building stability at a pace that feels sustainable rather than forced.

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  • Trauma Therapy for Veterans

    Trauma therapy in Solana Beach supports men, veterans, and military-connected individuals who carry the effects of trauma while living in environments that appear calm and balanced on the surface. Many clients struggle with anxiety, emotional shut-down, hyper-vigilance, or difficulty slowing down after years of service or high-responsibility roles. Trauma can remain active even when life encourages ease, especially when the nervous-system has learned to stay alert.


    Over time, clients often experience improved emotional-regulation and a stronger sense of internal safety. Reactions soften, stress responses become more manageable, and there is more capacity to stay present rather than constantly bracing. Many men and veterans notice clearer boundaries, steadier relationships, and an increased ability to feel grounded in daily life.


    Sessions tend to explore how military experience, service-related trauma, and cumulative stress continue shaping emotional responses, body awareness, and protective patterns. Trauma therapy is offered virtually, providing accessible and discreet support for clients in Solana Beach. This work focuses on safety, grounding, and helping clients move forward at a pace that feels respectful, steady, and sustainable.

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  • PTSD treatment for Veterans

    PTSD treatment in Solana Beach supports men, veterans, and military-connected individuals experiencing trauma symptoms beneath an externally calm lifestyle. Many clients struggle with hyper-vigilance, anxiety, or difficulty slowing down after years of service.


    Over time, clients often experience improved emotional-regulation and greater internal safety. Reactions soften, and it becomes easier to remain grounded in daily life.


    Sessions explore how trauma exposure continues shaping nervous-system responses. PTSD treatment is offered virtually, supporting clients in Solana Beach with a focus on grounding and regulation.

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  • Anxiety Therapy for Veterans

    Anxiety therapy in Solana Beach supports men, veterans, and military-connected individuals who appear calm externally while feeling internally tense. Many clients struggle with physical tension, restlessness, or difficulty relaxing after years of service or leadership roles.


    Clients often experience improved emotional-regulation and a greater sense of internal ease. Reactions soften, and rest becomes more accessible.


    Sessions explore how long-term stress and military-influenced coping patterns shape anxiety. Anxiety therapy is offered virtually, supporting clients in Solana Beach with a focus on balance and grounding.

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  • Depression Therapy for Veterans

    Depression therapy in Solana Beach supports men, veterans, and military-connected individuals who feel emotionally distant or unfulfilled despite outward calm. Many clients experience numbness, low energy, or difficulty finding meaning after years of high-responsibility roles.


    Clients often notice increased emotional presence and improved mood over time. Connection feels easier, and daily life feels less heavy.


    Sessions explore how long-term stress and identity-shifts influence depression. Depression therapy is offered virtually, supporting clients in Solana Beach with a focus on balance and emotional reconnection.

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  • Anger Therapy for Veterans

    Anger therapy in Solana Beach supports men, veterans, and military-connected individuals who appear calm externally while feeling internally tense or irritable. Many clients struggle with frustration or difficulty relaxing after years of high-responsibility roles.


    Over time, clients often experience improved emotional-regulation and increased internal ease. Anger feels less dominant, and rest becomes more accessible.


    Sessions explore how long-term stress and military-influenced coping patterns shape anger. Anger therapy is offered virtually, supporting clients in Solana Beach with a focus on balance and regulation.

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  • Sex and Intimacy Therapy for Men

    Sex and intimacy therapy in Solana Beach supports men, veterans, and military-connected individuals who appear calm externally while feeling internally disconnected from desire or closeness. Many clients struggle with low libido, avoidance, or emotional distance.


    Clients often notice improved emotional-awareness and greater ease with intimacy over time. Connection deepens, and shame reduces.


    Sessions explore how long-term stress and military-influenced coping patterns affect intimacy. Sex and intimacy therapy is offered virtually, supporting clients in Solana Beach with a focus on balance and reconnection.

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I serve veterans in Solana Beach.

I serve men, veterans, and military-connected clients in Solana Beach and surrounding coastal communities through virtual therapy. Many individuals experience internal tension or emotional containment despite living within wellness-oriented environments.


My work helps Solana Beach residents bridge the gap between outward balance and internal experience. Virtual care supports grounding, clarity, and reconnection while respecting the pace and values of coastal life.

“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 U.S. Army veteran providing trauma informed counseling for veterans and military connected adults.

I’m Richard De La Garza, a U.S. Army veteran and licensed clinical social worker serving veterans in Solana Beach. I offer therapy for PTSD, depression, and intimacy concerns with an emphasis on regulation and practical change.

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.