Reid Kessler, PsyD

Licensed psychologist in Encinitas

he/him

Works with:

adults who want to understand themselves better, new fathers, people with chronic health conditions, teens, couples, and issues of identity & belonging

It takes a lot of strength to cultivate hope, courage, and peace in the midst of suffering. My hope is to give you an experience of yourself in sessions that you can internalize and use outside of therapy. As a psychologist, I have advanced training in helping people accomplish their goals and creating the life they want.

When we suffer it can seem impossible to believe something different about ourselves than how we feel. But you do not need to stay in so much pain. My desire with every person I see is to help them experience freedom from being controlled by destructive feelings or relationships. It is possible to feel like yourself again. Better yet, its possible to grow beyond what you’ve previously experienced relationally and emotionally. 

I have worked in places ranging from a neuropsychology clinic at UCLA to a treatment center for Amish in rural Pennsylvania. Each of these experiences instilled in me an appreciation for the diversity of each person, curiosity for what keeps people feeling stuck, hope in the midst of pain, and compassion for those who are suffering. 

Working as a psychologist is a natural fit for me and a source of great joy and fulfillment in my life. As a result, helping people transform their lives makes me feel incredibly lucky. I am passionate about my work as a psychologist and I strive to bring a sense of care and intention to every person I see. 

Learn more about how to get started.

I work with a lot of men. 

Men oftentimes have different barriers to mental health than women. We are all human, but the same dynamics come with gendered components, whether it be a desire to not feel weak or a longing for deeper friendships and uncertainly in knowing how to be emotionally vulnerable with other men.

It is common for men to come to therapy because their female partner suggested it for them. They tend to stay in therapy because they recognize how helpful it is for them to know themselves better, take more ownership over their own mental health, and desire to increase in emotional strength. What I often hear from men I work with is how grateful they feel to be able to feel their emotions and to not feel controlled emotional and relational templates that no longer worked for their current relationships. By learning to recognize and feel their feelings, they developed a greater sense of agency in how they want to respond to others and situations. This comes with grief and pain, but it also comes with an increased freedom to choose the life they want, deeper emotional connection with others, and joy. 

 

Areas of specialized experience

Anxiety

Depression

LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy

• Christian & Catholic Clients

• Trauma & Abuse

Grief & Loss

• Men’s Issues 

• Couples Therapy/Infidelity

Credentials as a Psychologist

Board Member, San Diego Psychological Association (SDPA)

Licensed Psychologist (PSY29855)

Post-Doctoral Fellowship, San Diego Psychoanalytic Center

Pre-Doctoral Internship, Philhaven Hospital (APA Accredited)

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD), Biola University (APA Accredited)

Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology (MA), Biola University (APA Accredited)

Masters of Arts in Community Counseling (MA), Denver Seminary (CACREP Accredited)

Learn more or get started today.

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