My name is Jesse “Patrick” Garcia, a native of Victoria, Texas, I dedicated 15 years of service to the United States Army, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as stateside assignments. If you're reading this, you're about to learn about my imperfections and the reasons behind my drive to help others. I grew up in a single-parent household with three siblings, and at 18, I enlisted in the United States Army. By 19, I had my first drink of alcohol. At 22, I was deployed to Iraq, and after the war, I turned to alcohol to cope with the anxiety and depression I was struggling with. It worked for a while, but eventually, it stopped being effective. At 26, I returned from a tour in Afghanistan, but that was when the real battle began. The war had taken its toll, and I began to abuse alcohol even more, worsening my anxiety and depression. I was eventually diagnosed with PTSD. As I accumulated DUIs, DWIs, and public intoxication charges, I reached a turning point. I knew something had to change. I started reaching out to several therapists, some of whom genuinely cared, while others seemed more interested in a paycheck. It wasn’t until I grew tired of pretending to be someone I wasn’t that I decided to shed the masks I’d worn for so long. By embracing openness, honesty, and vulnerability, I finally found a sense of freedom. I don’t consider myself a miracle worker, but through my own experiences—both the struggles and the triumphs—I’ve developed a deep passion for helping others through their tough times. We’re not meant to face life’s challenges on our own. In 2022, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Houston-Victoria. Following graduation, I worked as a peer recovery support specialist at an outpatient substance use facility in Victoria, TX, where I assisted individuals with psychiatric and substance use disorders, DWI offenders, the homeless, jobless individuals, and clients referred by the Department of Family & Protective Services. In addition to my professional work, I have volunteered my time in underprivileged communities. Later I pursued my Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, graduating from the University of Houston-Victoria in 2024. Currently, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate (LPC-A) serving Victoria and surrounding areas. I am deeply committed to being a positive male role model, supporting fellow veterans, and offering hope to those in need. I am currently accepting clients, both insured and uninsured, while offering services on a sliding scale based on need. As an LPC-A, I work with a wide range of clients, including individuals and families seeking marriage and family therapy, teenagers, adolescents, trauma survivors, veterans, children, and those in both open and closed group counseling. I also support clients dealing with anxiety, depression, su***de, and various other challenges.
