Thank you for your service. One thing to note is if your MH issues are service connected it is much easier staying within the VA system when it or if it becomes necessary to apply for an increase in benefits. Your primary care doc also has all the pdocs notes and your prescriptions and your pdoc will know what is going on with care you get elsewhere in the VA system. Also, it is very easy to switch pdocs or therapists in the VA system, you just need to place a request in with the patient advocate. Last time I was offered a therapist by my pdoc, it was almost like ordering off a menu. Male or female? Younger or older? I thought that was funny.

I live in an area of around 300,000 people and the local VAMC has at least 2 dozen pdocs, at least twice, probably three times that many therapists and MH social workers. I have had great, good, bad and evil providers within the VA, which is probably no different that the private sector, going off reading other peoples experiences here.

Psychology Today keeps a list of therapists in most areas, here is LA. If lack of insurance is an issue, here is one example of a free/sliding scale fee clinic in LA.

Hope that is helpful.