Reid

Dr Reid Kessler

Psychologist

I’m a clinical psychologist who helps teens and adults make sense of experiences that feel confusing, overwhelming, or hard to express. Many of the people I work with come in feeling stuck—grappling with anxiety, relationship strain, identity questions, perfectionism, or a general sense that life isn’t lining up internally the way they hoped it would. My role is to create a space where you can explore what’s happening with honesty, curiosity, and support. Therapy becomes a place to sort through the pressures, histories, and emotional patterns that shape your daily life, and to understand how they influence the way you relate to yourself and others. As insight develops, people often find themselves feeling more grounded, more self-aware, and better able to make meaningful choices. Clients often describe my style as attuned, warm, straightforward, and collaborative. I’m not here to judge or offer quick fixes—I’m here to help you gain clarity about what you’re experiencing and why it matters. Over time, that clarity tends to open the door to relief, confidence, and real, lasting change. If you’re feeling pulled toward deeper understanding or want support navigating a challenging season of life, I’m here to help you explore what’s unfolding and find a way forward that feels more genuine and sustainable.

About Me

If you're an adolescent or adult feeling overwhelmed, I provide a calm, dedicated space to explore your experiences. We can gently unpack what's causing distress, helping you find inner calm. I guide clients to build confidence and feel more connected in their lives and relationships. This collaborative approach is ideal for those ready to understand their feelings and build lasting well-being.

Approach

My approach is grounded in relational psychodynamic therapy, which means I pay close attention to both your inner world and the dynamics that emerge within our work together. I’m interested in more than symptoms—I want to understand the emotional patterns, attachment experiences, and meanings that give shape to your struggles. Our work is not rushed or formulaic. Instead, we move at a pace that allows you to stay connected to yourself as we explore what’s driving your distress, what you’ve learned to carry silently, and what parts of you have been overlooked or misunderstood. I approach this with curiosity, steadiness, and respect for the complexity of your experience. A central part of therapy involves noticing how you relate—to others, to yourself, and yes, sometimes to me. These patterns are rarely random; they often hold the key to understanding longstanding difficulties. By exploring them gently and collaboratively, therapy becomes a place where new ways of being can emerge. I work in a way that’s attuned and collaborative rather than directive or prescriptive. I don’t tell you who you should be—I help you understand who you already are and what you may need. The goal isn’t perfection or quick fixes, but greater clarity, emotional freedom, and a more grounded sense of yourself.
Contact Reid

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Services


I provide psychotherapy for adults, teens, and couples who want thoughtful, in-depth support rather than surface fixes. I help people navigate anxiety, relationship challenges, identity concerns, perfectionism, life transitions, and experiences of feeling stuck or disconnected. With teens, I focus on helping them understand complex emotions and pressures while collaborating with parents as appropriate. In couples therapy, I work with partners to understand emotional patterns, improve communication, and strengthen their connection in a grounded, supportive space. I also offer psychological assessment aimed at clarifying personality functioning, diagnostic questions, and treatment planning—helping clients understand not just what is happening, but why, and how to move forward with greater confidence. Whether you’re seeking support for a specific challenge or deeper self-understanding, I aim to offer a space where meaningful insight and lasting growth can develop.

Services Offered:

  • Online Therapy
  • Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Individual Therapy
  • Adolescent Therapy
  • Group Therapy

Works With:

  • Adolescents
  • Adults

Area of Expertise


Scope of Practice:

  • Life Transitions
  • Anxiety
  • Mood Disorder
  • LGBTQI+ Support
  • Identity Issues
  • Men's Issues
  • Relationship Issues
  • Trauma
  • Young Adult Issues

Professional Title:

  • Psychologist

Qualifications


Biola University, Rosemead School of Psychology

Registrations


Professional Regulatory Board of Psychology

Psychologist

Service Area


Coastal Therapy Group

In-person & Online

San Diego, California

United States