Sex-Positive, Kink Allied Therapists in San Diego, CA
Are you stuck in an area of your life and don't know how to fix it?
Need to improve the quality of your relationships, your career, and your mental health?
It's amazing what life throws at you and how you adjust to cope. You get comfortable with these changes...even if they're unhealthy!
I'm here to help you create the life and relationships you want and deserve.
My treatment is short-term; Many issues are solved in as little as 4 sessions, instead of taking months or years. You'll feel better after your first session!
Are you stuck in an area of your life and don't know how to fix it?
Need to improve the quality of your relationships, your career, and your mental health?
It's amazing what life throws at you and how you adjust to cope. You get comfortable with these changes...even if they're unhealthy!
I'm here to help you create the life and relationships you want and deserve.
My treatment is short-term; Many issues are solved in as little as 4 sessions, instead of taking months or years. You'll feel better after your first session!
The Center For Motivation and Change (“CMC”) is a unique outpatient private group practice with locations in NYC, Long Island, DC and San Diego. We are a team of experienced psychologists who are driven by an optimism about people’s capacity to change as well as a commitment to the science of change. Our clinicians are all deeply trained in research-supported therapies that target substance use/compulsive behaviors patterns as well as mental health issues such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)/complex trauma and anxiety/mood disorders. The cornerstone of our approach is motivational.
The Center For Motivation and Change (“CMC”) is a unique outpatient private group practice with locations in NYC, Long Island, DC and San Diego. We are a team of experienced psychologists who are driven by an optimism about people’s capacity to change as well as a commitment to the science of change. Our clinicians are all deeply trained in research-supported therapies that target substance use/compulsive behaviors patterns as well as mental health issues such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)/complex trauma and anxiety/mood disorders. The cornerstone of our approach is motivational.
You feel stuck - trapped in a constant spiral in your own mind that makes it hard to even function or leave the house. Maybe you feel disconnected from the people around you or unsure how to let them truly see you. Maybe you’re not even sure who you actually are. The past shows up in ways that catch you off guard and affect your relationships with romantic partners or family, which leaves you overwhelmed by shame, self-doubt, and loneliness. Some days, it feels like you’re just going through the motions, wondering what it's all for. You don’t want to live like this anymore, and you don’t have to.
You feel stuck - trapped in a constant spiral in your own mind that makes it hard to even function or leave the house. Maybe you feel disconnected from the people around you or unsure how to let them truly see you. Maybe you’re not even sure who you actually are. The past shows up in ways that catch you off guard and affect your relationships with romantic partners or family, which leaves you overwhelmed by shame, self-doubt, and loneliness. Some days, it feels like you’re just going through the motions, wondering what it's all for. You don’t want to live like this anymore, and you don’t have to.
EMDR, IFS, EFT, Sex Positive, Narrative, Attachment and Culturally Sensitive
Plants can grow in some of the most unexpected places. On sidewalks, through concrete, on buildings. Even when the odds seem stacked against it, the desire to thrive can find a way. When a person comes to therapy, they are choosing to find their own way to grow, no matter where they’ve been planted. One of the tools of plants are tendrils; those delicate, sensitive shoots of courage that reach out for support and connection. With some nurturance and guidance, we here at Tendril Therapy welcome you to break the barriers of what seems improbable, to grow, to thrive, to climb.
EMDR, IFS, EFT, Sex Positive, Narrative, Attachment and Culturally Sensitive
Plants can grow in some of the most unexpected places. On sidewalks, through concrete, on buildings. Even when the odds seem stacked against it, the desire to thrive can find a way. When a person comes to therapy, they are choosing to find their own way to grow, no matter where they’ve been planted. One of the tools of plants are tendrils; those delicate, sensitive shoots of courage that reach out for support and connection. With some nurturance and guidance, we here at Tendril Therapy welcome you to break the barriers of what seems improbable, to grow, to thrive, to climb.
Let’s be real: You’ve been through some shit. You’ve carried so much—navigating trauma, addiction, and challenges that most people can’t even begin to understand.
You deserve a space where you don’t have to explain or justify your experiences—a space where you are seen, heard, and supported without judgment about your past.
That’s exactly why I created this practice.
I work with individuals who felt stuck, misunderstood, and underestimated. Sex workers. People in recovery. Trauma survivors. High-functioning people who are falling apart. To heal without giving up who you are.
Let’s be real: You’ve been through some shit. You’ve carried so much—navigating trauma, addiction, and challenges that most people can’t even begin to understand.
You deserve a space where you don’t have to explain or justify your experiences—a space where you are seen, heard, and supported without judgment about your past.
That’s exactly why I created this practice.
I work with individuals who felt stuck, misunderstood, and underestimated. Sex workers. People in recovery. Trauma survivors. High-functioning people who are falling apart. To heal without giving up who you are.
Therapy with kids isn’t about fixing—it’s about listening differently. For me, that starts with creating safety and connection through play, creativity, and attunement. I understand that big behaviors often speak to even bigger feelings, and that kids sometimes “tell the truth” through their actions before they can find the words. I work to honor each child’s inner world while helping them—and caregivers—make sense of what’s showing up. Whether we’re building regulation skills, processing hard experiences, or learning how to feel safer in our bodies and relationships, my approach is warm, collaborative, and developmentally grounded.
Therapy with kids isn’t about fixing—it’s about listening differently. For me, that starts with creating safety and connection through play, creativity, and attunement. I understand that big behaviors often speak to even bigger feelings, and that kids sometimes “tell the truth” through their actions before they can find the words. I work to honor each child’s inner world while helping them—and caregivers—make sense of what’s showing up. Whether we’re building regulation skills, processing hard experiences, or learning how to feel safer in our bodies and relationships, my approach is warm, collaborative, and developmentally grounded.
Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. Have you ever believed that if you are struggling, it is your fault? That if you just try hard enough, you should feel better - and if you don’t feel better, it’s because you aren’t trying hard enough?
But Asians experience stressors that are unique to our identities that deserve care. The desire to pay back our parents for their sacrifices. The responsibility to “save face” and to put up a constant front. The intergenerational traumas we inherit from our families that have endured war, famine, displacement, genocide, and colonization. Weariness of feeling like you don't belong anywhere.
Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. Have you ever believed that if you are struggling, it is your fault? That if you just try hard enough, you should feel better - and if you don’t feel better, it’s because you aren’t trying hard enough?
But Asians experience stressors that are unique to our identities that deserve care. The desire to pay back our parents for their sacrifices. The responsibility to “save face” and to put up a constant front. The intergenerational traumas we inherit from our families that have endured war, famine, displacement, genocide, and colonization. Weariness of feeling like you don't belong anywhere.
I strive to create a safe, supportive space where my clients can explore their stories, feelings, and relational patterns without judgment. My approach is collaborative, empathetic, and trauma informed. I enjoy tailoring therapy to meet the unique needs and goals of each individual, couple, or family. I am deeply committed to helping my clients build stronger, more fulfilling connections with themselves and their loved ones.
I strive to create a safe, supportive space where my clients can explore their stories, feelings, and relational patterns without judgment. My approach is collaborative, empathetic, and trauma informed. I enjoy tailoring therapy to meet the unique needs and goals of each individual, couple, or family. I am deeply committed to helping my clients build stronger, more fulfilling connections with themselves and their loved ones.
Hey there! Thank you for being here. You’ve worked hard to build a successful life — but inside, you might feel weighed down by anxiety, self-doubt, or old wounds that keep resurfacing. Maybe you’re caught in cycles of overthinking, people-pleasing, or burnout. Or in your relationship, you keep running into the same fights, feeling unseen, or struggling to bridge cultural and generational differences. You don’t have to carry this alone.
Hey there! Thank you for being here. You’ve worked hard to build a successful life — but inside, you might feel weighed down by anxiety, self-doubt, or old wounds that keep resurfacing. Maybe you’re caught in cycles of overthinking, people-pleasing, or burnout. Or in your relationship, you keep running into the same fights, feeling unseen, or struggling to bridge cultural and generational differences. You don’t have to carry this alone.
Have you been struggling or looking for a therapist who "gets you"? Do you have mental health, culture, sexuality, kinks, and/or relationship concerns that you have never been able to talk to a therapist about? I'm here for you. I am a gay, poly, Korean American counselor, and I understand the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC community. With my help you can better understand yourself and find healing through my effective use of my cultural awareness, cognitive, and self-compassion based therapies.
Have you been struggling or looking for a therapist who "gets you"? Do you have mental health, culture, sexuality, kinks, and/or relationship concerns that you have never been able to talk to a therapist about? I'm here for you. I am a gay, poly, Korean American counselor, and I understand the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC community. With my help you can better understand yourself and find healing through my effective use of my cultural awareness, cognitive, and self-compassion based therapies.
Welcome! If you are struggling with daily stress, the state of the world or trauma, I welcome you to contact me to explore how I can support and help in your healing.
Therapy is a space dedicated to exploring your life and mind with the hope of something brighter and lighter. It is to alleviate that tension that may have been weighing you down for some time.
I see the therapeutic space as a puzzle that begins with the pieces you put on the table and comes together, through our work, to see the final clearer image. As your therapist, I will help empower and guide you towards unlocking tools to improve your mental well-being.
Welcome! If you are struggling with daily stress, the state of the world or trauma, I welcome you to contact me to explore how I can support and help in your healing.
Therapy is a space dedicated to exploring your life and mind with the hope of something brighter and lighter. It is to alleviate that tension that may have been weighing you down for some time.
I see the therapeutic space as a puzzle that begins with the pieces you put on the table and comes together, through our work, to see the final clearer image. As your therapist, I will help empower and guide you towards unlocking tools to improve your mental well-being.
Hello! I commend you for taking this step. I typically work with clients who are experiencing anxiety, depression, identity work/exploration, and how all of this can impact community and societal views. I strongly believe that the client is the expert of their own life, and I hope to make therapy a collaborative process as opposed to the therapist being seen as the sole person with all the answers. I also strongly believe that society has an impact on how we view ourselves in the world. This can often not alight with our own beliefs or how we identify. As a result, we often have conversations regarding deconstructing societal ideas.
Hello! I commend you for taking this step. I typically work with clients who are experiencing anxiety, depression, identity work/exploration, and how all of this can impact community and societal views. I strongly believe that the client is the expert of their own life, and I hope to make therapy a collaborative process as opposed to the therapist being seen as the sole person with all the answers. I also strongly believe that society has an impact on how we view ourselves in the world. This can often not alight with our own beliefs or how we identify. As a result, we often have conversations regarding deconstructing societal ideas.
I specialize in the following areas: mood disruption, substance abuse, trauma, alternative relationships (including multi-partner/poly and kink) queer communities, sexual health and sex therapy.
Human beings have great capacity for growth and change. Having a supportive guide through the process is both helpful and meaningful. My role is to help clients find their strengths and apply them to the areas in which they struggle. I work well with people who have realized their lives are not going the way they want, but can't quite figure out how to do things differently. I am an interactive, engaged, supportive and collaborative therapist. I genuinely enjoy helping people be in the world the in the ways they wish to be.
I specialize in the following areas: mood disruption, substance abuse, trauma, alternative relationships (including multi-partner/poly and kink) queer communities, sexual health and sex therapy.
Human beings have great capacity for growth and change. Having a supportive guide through the process is both helpful and meaningful. My role is to help clients find their strengths and apply them to the areas in which they struggle. I work well with people who have realized their lives are not going the way they want, but can't quite figure out how to do things differently. I am an interactive, engaged, supportive and collaborative therapist. I genuinely enjoy helping people be in the world the in the ways they wish to be.
Are you and your partner or loved one stuck in the same painful arguments over and over, wondering how to make a change? Perhaps you aren't sure how to move through a major life transition like a move, loss or child. Maybe you're a parent watching your teen struggle—whether it’s mood swings, anxiety, defiance, or tension at home—and you're not sure what to do next. I help couples rebuild connection and communication, and I support teens and families through conflict, unwanted behavior, addiction, anxiety, school refusal and attention struggles. I will help you get out of the vicious cycle that is seemingly endless and exhausting.
Are you and your partner or loved one stuck in the same painful arguments over and over, wondering how to make a change? Perhaps you aren't sure how to move through a major life transition like a move, loss or child. Maybe you're a parent watching your teen struggle—whether it’s mood swings, anxiety, defiance, or tension at home—and you're not sure what to do next. I help couples rebuild connection and communication, and I support teens and families through conflict, unwanted behavior, addiction, anxiety, school refusal and attention struggles. I will help you get out of the vicious cycle that is seemingly endless and exhausting.
I am a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (IITAP) and have extensive experience working with people who suffer from compulsive sexual behaviors. If you struggle in intimate relationships, I have decades of experience working with clients with childhood attachment wounds that ultimately create difficulty in adult relationships. I help clients by evaluating your issues or diagnoses, creating with you an effective treatment plan. This usually helps you decrease anxiety in your relationships, effectively resolve conflict in your partnership and to experience more peace and happiness in many areas of your life.
I am a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (IITAP) and have extensive experience working with people who suffer from compulsive sexual behaviors. If you struggle in intimate relationships, I have decades of experience working with clients with childhood attachment wounds that ultimately create difficulty in adult relationships. I help clients by evaluating your issues or diagnoses, creating with you an effective treatment plan. This usually helps you decrease anxiety in your relationships, effectively resolve conflict in your partnership and to experience more peace and happiness in many areas of your life.
I believe that every person carries the potential for healing, growth, and meaningful connection—sometimes, we just need the right support along the way.
I’m Christopher Schell, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in California, passionate about working with individuals, couples, and families from diverse backgrounds. I understand that no two people experience life in the same way, and I approach my work with deep respect for the unique challenges, identities, and aspirations each client brings to the therapy room.
I believe that every person carries the potential for healing, growth, and meaningful connection—sometimes, we just need the right support along the way.
I’m Christopher Schell, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in California, passionate about working with individuals, couples, and families from diverse backgrounds. I understand that no two people experience life in the same way, and I approach my work with deep respect for the unique challenges, identities, and aspirations each client brings to the therapy room.
Sometimes life doesn’t unfold the way we imagined. You might be doing your best to keep things together—showing up for others, checking the boxes—but underneath, you’re feeling anxious, disconnected, or stuck in patterns that no longer work. Maybe you’re in the middle of a big change, questioning who you are, or quietly carrying emotions that feel too heavy to hold alone. Therapy can be a place to exhale—a space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with yourself in a deeper way.
I work with individuals and couples who want to feel more grounded, understood, and connected—to themselves and to each other.
Sometimes life doesn’t unfold the way we imagined. You might be doing your best to keep things together—showing up for others, checking the boxes—but underneath, you’re feeling anxious, disconnected, or stuck in patterns that no longer work. Maybe you’re in the middle of a big change, questioning who you are, or quietly carrying emotions that feel too heavy to hold alone. Therapy can be a place to exhale—a space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with yourself in a deeper way.
I work with individuals and couples who want to feel more grounded, understood, and connected—to themselves and to each other.
I most often work with folks who are experiencing significant emotional distress, whether due to trauma, psychosis, chronic illness, or discrimination. It is my honor as a therapist to meet each client exactly where they are and use therapy as an opportunity for growth, validation, and empowerment. I enjoy collaborating with you to understand you values, preferences, and goals, and identify an approach that is most likely to be helpful for you- while leaving lots of room to tailor to your needs. Ultimately, therapy should help light a path forward towards a life you find meaningful, empowering, and joyful- something we all deserve.
I most often work with folks who are experiencing significant emotional distress, whether due to trauma, psychosis, chronic illness, or discrimination. It is my honor as a therapist to meet each client exactly where they are and use therapy as an opportunity for growth, validation, and empowerment. I enjoy collaborating with you to understand you values, preferences, and goals, and identify an approach that is most likely to be helpful for you- while leaving lots of room to tailor to your needs. Ultimately, therapy should help light a path forward towards a life you find meaningful, empowering, and joyful- something we all deserve.
Thank you for reaching out and for the opportunity to work with you! I am a licensed clinical psychologist treating anxiety, trauma, and PTSD, as well as sex and sexuality issues, especially among diverse populations. These populations include people of color, queer people, and transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive people.
It is important to know that my approach is first and foremost a relational and humanistic one. Previous clients have described me as warm, approachable, and empathic. Our ability to build a connection lays the groundwork for any other work we will do together.
Thank you for reaching out and for the opportunity to work with you! I am a licensed clinical psychologist treating anxiety, trauma, and PTSD, as well as sex and sexuality issues, especially among diverse populations. These populations include people of color, queer people, and transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive people.
It is important to know that my approach is first and foremost a relational and humanistic one. Previous clients have described me as warm, approachable, and empathic. Our ability to build a connection lays the groundwork for any other work we will do together.
I am passionate about working with individuals and couples, especially those who are wanting to improve their communication, relationship dynamics, or intimacy issues. I enjoy working with clients struggling with emotion regulation, interpersonal relationship issues, LGBTQIA+ identity, family dynamics, codependency, anxiety, trauma, and limiting beliefs.
I am passionate about working with individuals and couples, especially those who are wanting to improve their communication, relationship dynamics, or intimacy issues. I enjoy working with clients struggling with emotion regulation, interpersonal relationship issues, LGBTQIA+ identity, family dynamics, codependency, anxiety, trauma, and limiting beliefs.
See more therapy options for San Diego
Nearby Sex-Positive, Kink Allied Therapists Searches for San Diego
- Cardiff By The Sea
- Chula Vista
- Coronado
- Del Mar
- El Cajon
- Encinitas
- La Jolla
- La Mesa
- Poway
- Rancho Santa Fe
- Santee
- Solana Beach