Meet Reid Kessler | Psychologist & CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Reid Kessler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Reid, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
We want to do group practice differently. We set out to create the kind of practice we’d want to work at—one grounded in meaningful relationships, shared learning, and fair compensation. Psychologists are trained in cohorts, but often go on to practice in relative isolation. We wanted something else: a true community of psychologists who are actively learning from and with each other. Each week, we gather for an hour—sometimes for group discussion, other times for lectures led by someone on our team or by an outside expert. Just last week, we began a three-part series on the psychoanalytic diagnosis and treatment of psychosis, taught by a senior psychologist who specializes in that area. We believe that when therapists grow together, the work deepens—for us and for the people we serve.

In addition to our weekly learning time, we also meet in smaller consultation groups—an hour that, for many on our team, feels like the heart of our week. We begin with a brief mindfulness meditation, followed by individual check-ins on how we’re doing personally and professionally. Being a therapist means sitting with a wide range of emotions—ours and our patients’. Some of those feelings need space. We intentionally make room for them in the safety of our group, because we believe that naming our own experiences strengthens our ability to make thoughtful, attuned use of case consultation.

Psychotherapy isn’t like other professions. It asks a lot of us, and we wanted to build a team that’s resilient enough to carry the real pressures and emotional depth that come with doing this work well.

We also recognize that many psychologists enter private practice because it offers stronger earning potential than other clinical settings. That’s why we prioritize generous, transparent compensation. Therapists in group practice eventually do the math—and they should. If we were going to join a group ourselves, we’d want to be paid fairly and to trust that shared resources are being used wisely. Group practice can be more lucrative, and we’re committed to making that possibility a reality.

In short, we’re building the kind of practice we’d be proud to work in—and proud to invite others into.

What should our readers know about your business?
I got tremendously lucky when I hired Lindsey G. Robertson, PhD—the first licensed psychologist to join the practice outside of myself. At the time, I was an early career psychologist working out of a single office in a shared suite in Encinitas. Dr. Robertson and I shared that space and both carried full clinical caseloads. Within six months, she told me that if she was going to stay long-term, she’d need her own office. That conversation was the push I needed to expand into Carlsbad Village and begin hiring more psychologists to build out the team.

Dr. Robertson’s presence and dedication quickly stood out. As the team grew, I realized I couldn’t hold both the vision for the practice and the operational leadership alone. Dr. Robertson—brilliant, warm, dynamic, and strong—stepped into the role of Director of Professional Development, and eventually became a full 50/50 owner of the practice.

What I’m most proud of is how we lead together—dividing responsibilities, combining our strengths, and supporting one another through the inevitable challenges of growing a group practice. Building a team of talented, collaborative psychologists is no easy task, and I couldn’t have done it without her.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to Valle de Guadalupe to stay a couple of nights at a new hotel with a view of the valley. On the way I would stop in Ensenada for ceviche and a walk around time. While in San Diego, I would stop by Ironsmith in Encinitas for coffee, Prager Brother’s for chocolate croissants and then go to the north side of Del Mar Dog Beach to relax on the beach in the morning. I would also likely take them to a dinner at Dija Mara in Oceanside.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My former clinical supervisor, Sonja Munson, PhD, continues to meet with me weekly. She provides an honest and caring relationship in which I can openly explore topics related to business, leadership, and psychotherapy cases (always discussed confidentially).

Website: https://coastaltherapygroup.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coastaltherapygroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coastaltherapygroup

Image Credits
Stacia Hiramine