Ryan Garza , LCSW

Ryan Garza is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 17 years of experience providing therapy in individual, couple, family, and group settings. He holds the credential LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker, indicating advanced training in clinical assessment and treatment.

He has worked with a broad spectrum of concerns, including depression, anxiety, stress, trauma and abuse, grief, addiction, PTSD, personality challenges, co-occurring disorders, codependency, and issues specific to veterans. His practice also addresses relationship and family difficulties, parenting and fatherhood issues, intimacy concerns, and the effects of caregiver stress and compassion fatigue.

His clinical stance is client-centered, guided by compassion, encouragement, and respect, and he may occasionally use appropriate humor to support rapport. He draws from multiple evidence-informed methods, including cognitive behavioral techniques, solution-focused and motivational strategies, dialectical behavior approaches, and acceptance-based practices. Treatment is shaped collaboratively through joint planning and tailored to each person’s goals and preferences.

Ryan views life as dynamic and sometimes overwhelming, and he welcomes the opportunity to help clients increase their ability to address the past, manage present demands, and prepare for the future. He aims to support increased clarity, purpose, and well-being through a personalized therapeutic process.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Ryan Garza integrates client-centered work, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavior strategies to guide online sessions in a clear, practical way. Client-centered therapy emphasizes understanding each person’s perspective and building a collaborative relationship that honors individual needs and goals; it is often helpful for people navigating life transitions, relationship concerns, and self-esteem issues.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and learning concrete skills to change behaviors and emotional responses, which can aid with anxiety, depression, and stress. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) teaches skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, making it useful for intense emotions, relationship conflicts, and coping challenges.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Ryan works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing clients and licensed professionals to connect in ways that fit schedules and comfort levels. These options support ongoing care and consistent skill practice without requiring travel, making it easier to maintain momentum between sessions.