Meet John Bucholtz, PhD, LCSW

Military & Veteran Therapist in San Diego | Trauma, PTSD & Family Mental Health

John Joseph Bucholtz, PhD, MSW
California LCSW 143231 | DC LICSW LC3000846 | Texas LCSW 51731

✔ 24+ Years of Clinical Social Work Experience
✔ Specialized Experience Supporting Service Members, Veterans & Families
✔ Therapy for Trauma, PTSD, Anxiety & Depression

✔ ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS!

Hi, I’m John

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 24 years of experience supporting service members, veterans, and their families. Throughout my career, I've worked as both a uniformed social worker and a federal healthcare provider, helping people navigate trauma, posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges.

I earned my Master of Social Work from the University of Denver's Graduate School of Social Work and my PhD in Clinical Social Work from Smith College School for Social Work.

My approach to therapy is grounded in the belief that every person has inherent strengths and the capacity for growth. I draw on evidence-based treatments, attachment theory, and relational therapies to help clients better understand their experiences, strengthen their relationships, and develop healthier ways of navigating life's challenges.

While much of my professional experience has focused on the military community, I also work with children and teens, supporting their emotional well-being and helping them navigate challenges at home, at school, and in their relationships.

At BRAVE Wellness Studio, I bring a whole-person perspective to mental health care, recognizing that our experiences, emotions, physical well-being, and relationships are all interconnected.

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Mental Health Support for Those Who Serve

Military service can shape how we see ourselves, relate to others, and navigate the world. Whether you're managing the effects of trauma, adjusting to life after service, or carrying stress that has become difficult to put into words, finding the right support can make a difference.

With more than two decades of experience working with service members, veterans, and their families, I understand the importance of approaching each person's experiences with respect, curiosity, and compassion.

I support clients navigating:

Posttraumatic stress and trauma-related concerns
Anxiety, stress, and emotional overwhelm
Depression and changes in emotional well-being
Relationship difficulties and interpersonal challenges
Life transitions and adjustment
The effects of difficult experiences on emotional health and relationships

Therapy offers an opportunity to better understand your experiences, recognize the strengths you've developed along the way, and explore new ways of responding to life's challenges.

Therapy for Children, Teens & Families

Children and teens experience their own unique challenges as they grow, develop relationships, and learn to navigate their emotions and the world around them.

I also work with younger clients who may be experiencing anxiety, emotional difficulties, stressful life changes, or challenges in their relationships.

My approach emphasizes understanding each child's individual experiences, recognizing their strengths, and considering how their relationships and environment influence their well-being.

For families navigating difficult transitions or emotional challenges, therapy can provide an opportunity to better understand what's happening beneath the surface and support healthier patterns of connection.

Whether working with a child, a teen, or an adult, I believe that feeling understood is an important part of meaningful therapeutic work.

Who I Work With

Active-Duty Service Members
Veterans & Retired Service Members
Military Families
Children & Teens
Adults
Couples

My work is grounded in the dignity and worth of every person. Regardless of your background or circumstances, therapy can offer a supportive space to understand yourself more fully and work toward meaningful change.

What I Help With

Military & Veteran Mental Health: Supporting service members, veterans, and their families as they navigate stress, trauma, and life transitions.
Trauma & PTSD: Helping you work through difficult experiences and improve your emotional well-being.
Anxiety & Depression: Developing healthier coping strategies and building resilience.
Relationships & Attachment: Exploring relational patterns and strengthening connections with others.
Children & Teens: Helping younger clients navigate emotions, relationships, and life's challenges.

This work is about more than symptom relief, it’s about creating meaningful, lasting transformation in how you relate to yourself and others.

Schedule Consultation Call