Sven Schild, PhD, SEP, TCC

I'm Dr. Sven Schild, a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and achieve meaningful, lasting change. My work is grounded in a holistic, client-centered, and evidence-based approach that integrates Humanistic Psychotherapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Somatic therapies and EMDR therapy.
As both an EMDR Certified Therapist™ and an EMDRIA-Approved Consultant™, I bring extensive expertise to trauma work. I am also a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) and offer body-oriented therapies including Somatic Experiencing (SE™), Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP™), and Dynamic Attachment Re-patterning experience (DARe). These diverse modalities allow me to tailor therapy to meet each client’s unique needs—fostering healing, resilience, and personal growth.

Based in San Diego, California, I provide secure online therapy for adults throughout San Diego County and California. As a licensed clinical psychologist, I specialize in helping individuals overcome trauma, PTSD, complex PTSD, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, grief, stress, burnout, and life transitions through evidence-based, trauma-informed psychotherapy. Whether you are searching for a San Diego psychologist, online therapy in San Diego, an EMDR therapist in San Diego, trauma therapy in California, or an anxiety therapist near you, telehealth makes it possible to access specialized psychological care from the comfort and privacy of your own home.
My practice is fully online, allowing clients to receive support without the challenges of commuting, finding parking, or taking additional time away from work and family responsibilities. Through secure telehealth sessions, I work with adults throughout San Diego County, including Downtown San Diego, Hillcrest, North Park, Mission Valley, La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Chula Vista, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, and surrounding communities.

In addition to California, I am licensed to provide telehealth psychotherapy to individuals located in Hawaii, Florida, Virginia, and Washington DC. This allows clients across multiple states to access specialized treatment for trauma, anxiety, depression, attachment difficulties, men's mental health concerns, LGBTQ+ affirming therapy, and emotional well-being. My therapeutic approach integrates EMDR therapy, Somatic Experiencing®, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy®, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), attachment-focused therapy, and humanistic psychotherapy to help individuals create meaningful and lasting change.
Whether you are seeking support for a recent life challenge or longstanding emotional struggles, online therapy offers a flexible, convenient, and effective way to access professional mental health care wherever you are located.
Learn More About Online Therapy:
Research shows that the strength of the therapeutic relationship is one of the most important factors in successful therapy outcomes. I invite you to explore this website to learn more about my approach and determine if we might be a good fit. If so, we can begin working together to support your healing, growth, and well-being.

Finding the right therapist is one of the most important factors in successful therapy. In addition to a strong therapeutic relationship, many individuals seek a psychologist with advanced training, extensive clinical experience, and specialized expertise in treating trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties.
I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with more than 20 years of clinical experience helping adults navigate emotional challenges, heal from trauma, and create meaningful change. My practice is grounded in evidence-based, trauma-informed, attachment-informed, and humanistic approaches that recognize the unique experiences, strengths, and goals each client brings to therapy.
I am an EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist and an EMDRIA Approved Consultant, credentials that reflect advanced training and expertise in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. These qualifications demonstrate a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of clinical practice in trauma treatment and PTSD recovery.
In addition to EMDR, I am a certified Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP) and have completed advanced training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy®, two highly respected body-oriented approaches that help individuals heal the effects of trauma, attachment wounds, chronic stress, and nervous system dysregulation.
My work is also informed by extensive training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), including professional training with ACT founder Steven C. Hayes and leading ACT trainers Kelly Wilson and Robyn Walser. These approaches help individuals develop greater psychological flexibility, emotional resilience, and alignment with their values.
For individuals seeking continuity and flexibility, I am licensed to provide telehealth psychotherapy to adults throughout California, Hawaii, Florida, Virginia, and Washington DC. Whether you are seeking support for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, men's mental health concerns, LGBTQ+ affirming therapy, or personal growth, my goal is to provide compassionate, collaborative, and effective care tailored to your unique needs.
Credentials at a Glance
Every person's story is unique. Whether you are struggling with the effects of trauma, anxiety, relationship difficulties, life transitions, or simply feeling stuck, psychotherapy provides an opportunity to better understand yourself and develop healthier ways of coping. As a licensed clinical psychologist, I provide evidence-based online therapy for adults throughout California and individuals located in Hawaii, Florida, Virginia, and Washington, DC. My treatment approach integrates EMDR therapy, Somatic Experiencing®, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), attachment-based therapy, and humanistic psychotherapy to help clients achieve meaningful and lasting change.
1. Trauma, PTSD & Mental Health

Whether you are living with the effects of childhood trauma, complex PTSD, anxiety, or depression, therapy can help you better understand your experiences and develop effective strategies for healing. I specialize in trauma-informed psychotherapy that addresses both emotional and physiological aspects of distress while promoting resilience, nervous system regulation, and long-term recovery.
Traumatic experiences can profoundly affect emotional health, relationships, self-esteem, physical well-being, and the nervous system. I provide specialized online therapy for adults experiencing PTSD, Complex PTSD (CPTSD), childhood trauma, attachment trauma, developmental trauma, dissociation, anxiety, and the lasting effects of overwhelming life experiences. My trauma-informed approach integrates EMDR therapy, Somatic Experiencing®, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and attachment-based psychotherapy to help clients process difficult experiences, regulate the nervous system, and move toward lasting healing.
Explore these evidence-based articles to better understand trauma and the healing process:
Anxiety and depression can interfere with every aspect of daily life, including relationships, work, sleep, and overall well-being. Whether you struggle with generalized anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, persistent sadness, or emotional exhaustion, therapy can help reduce symptoms, improve emotional resilience, and restore a greater sense of balance and fulfillment.
Learning to manage overwhelming emotions is an essential part of psychological well-being. Therapy focuses on developing healthier coping strategies, improving distress tolerance, reducing emotional reactivity, and strengthening psychological flexibility so you can respond more effectively to life's challenges.
Chronic stress and unmanaged anger often reflect underlying emotional pain, trauma, or persistent life pressures. Together we identify the factors contributing to stress and emotional reactivity while developing practical strategies to improve emotional regulation, communication, and resilience.

Healthy relationships begin with understanding ourselves. Many emotional difficulties stem from attachment experiences, relationship patterns, identity development, and self-worth. Therapy offers a supportive space to strengthen relationships, improve communication, develop greater self-compassion, and build a more authentic and meaningful life.
Relationships significantly influence emotional well-being throughout life. Therapy can help improve communication, establish healthier boundaries, address attachment patterns, resolve interpersonal conflicts, and foster more satisfying and secure relationships with partners, family members, friends, and colleagues.
Low self-esteem often develops through trauma, criticism, perfectionism, or unhealthy relationship experiences. Therapy helps you build confidence, strengthen your identity, challenge negative self-beliefs, and develop greater self-acceptance while living in accordance with your values.
Many men experience stress related to relationships, career pressures, emotional expression, fatherhood, trauma, anxiety, depression, or major life transitions. Therapy provides a confidential environment where men can explore these challenges, improve emotional awareness, strengthen resilience, and build healthier relationships.
I provide LGBTQ+ affirming psychotherapy in a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment. Therapy supports individuals exploring sexual orientation, gender identity, coming out, relationships, minority stress, family concerns, self-acceptance, and overall emotional well-being while honoring each person's unique identity and lived experience.

Life inevitably brings change. Whether adjusting to a new culture, navigating a career transition, overcoming substance use concerns, or seeking greater purpose, therapy provides an opportunity to develop resilience, clarify personal values, and create lasting positive change.
Career changes, relationship transitions, relocation, grief, retirement, or changes in personal identity can feel overwhelming. Therapy helps you navigate uncertainty, strengthen resilience, clarify your goals, and move toward a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Relocating to a new country or adapting to different cultural environments often involves balancing multiple identities, values, and expectations. Therapy provides support for immigration stress, cultural adjustment, bicultural identity, discrimination, homesickness, and cross-cultural relationships while fostering resilience and emotional well-being.
Substance use frequently develops as an attempt to cope with trauma, anxiety, depression, or chronic stress. Therapy focuses on understanding the underlying emotional factors contributing to substance use while developing healthier coping strategies, strengthening motivation for change, preventing relapse, and improving overall psychological health.
Every treatment plan is individualized to your unique history, goals, strengths, and therapeutic objectives. Whether you are seeking trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, online psychotherapy for anxiety or depression, relationship counseling, men's mental health services, LGBTQ+ affirming therapy, or support during a major life transition, my goal is to provide compassionate, evidence-based psychotherapy that promotes lasting healing, resilience, and meaningful personal growth.
I also offer bilingual psychotherapy in English and German, allowing therapy to take place in the language that feels most natural, comfortable, and authentic to you.
Each concern is approached with clinical depth, compassion, and curiosity. Therapy is collaborative, individualized, and grounded in evidence-based practices while honoring your unique strengths, cultural background, personal values, and life experiences. Together, we work toward developing greater emotional well-being, healthier relationships, increased psychological flexibility, and a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

Effective therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Every individual brings a unique history, personality, set of strengths, and life circumstances to the therapeutic process. For this reason, I tailor treatment to each client's specific needs, drawing from a range of evidence-based and trauma-informed therapy approaches that address both the emotional and physiological aspects of psychological well-being.
As a licensed clinical psychologist based in San Diego, I specialize in treating trauma, PTSD, complex PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, men's mental health concerns, LGBTQ+ issues, and life transitions. My approach integrates several highly respected psychotherapy modalities that support healing, resilience, and lasting change.
Humanistic psychotherapy emphasizes authenticity, self-awareness, personal growth, and the healing power of a strong therapeutic relationship. Therapy provides a supportive environment where individuals can better understand themselves, explore life's challenges, and develop greater self-compassion and emotional well-being.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based treatment for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and distressing life experiences. As an EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant, I help individuals process traumatic memories, reduce emotional distress, and develop healthier beliefs about themselves and their experiences. EMDR therapy is particularly effective for trauma, complex PTSD, attachment trauma, medical trauma, military trauma, and first responder stress.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based approach that helps individuals develop psychological flexibility, increase mindfulness, and take meaningful action guided by their values. ACT is particularly effective for anxiety, depression, stress, perfectionism, self-criticism, and life transitions. Rather than attempting to eliminate difficult thoughts and emotions, ACT helps individuals develop a healthier relationship with them while building a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling.
Somatic Experiencing® is a body-oriented therapy that focuses on nervous system regulation and trauma recovery. This approach helps individuals develop greater resilience, reduce symptoms of anxiety and chronic stress, and resolve the lingering effects of traumatic experiences that may remain stored within the body.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy® integrates traditional psychotherapy with mindfulness and body awareness to address trauma, attachment wounds, emotional dysregulation, and chronic stress. By paying attention to physical sensations and nervous system responses, individuals can develop new ways of responding to emotional challenges and create lasting psychological change.
Many emotional struggles are rooted in early relationship experiences. DARe (Dynamic Attachment Re-patterning Experience) focuses on transforming attachment patterns by addressing how early relational experiences shape current emotions, self-esteem, relationships, and coping strategies. This approach can be especially helpful for individuals struggling with relationship difficulties, abandonment fears, emotional disconnection, low self-worth, and complex trauma.
Whether you are seeking a trauma therapist, EMDR therapist, PTSD therapist, anxiety therapist, or psychologist specializing in evidence-based psychotherapy, treatment is tailored to your unique needs and goals. Together, we can create a personalized approach that supports healing, emotional resilience, and meaningful change.

If you are searching for a Cigna therapist in San Diego, Cigna psychologist in San Diego, Evernorth therapist in San Diego, or a Cigna EMDR therapist, you may be looking for specialized mental health care that is both accessible and covered by your insurance plan.
I am in-network with Cigna/Evernorth, providing secure online therapy for adults throughout San Diego county, California, Hawaii, Florida, Virginia, and Washington DC. Through telehealth, you can access evidence-based psychotherapy from the comfort and privacy of your home without the need to commute across town.
Many individuals seek therapy through Cigna/Evernorth for concerns such as trauma, PTSD, complex PTSD, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, grief, chronic stress, men's mental health concerns, and life transitions. My approach integrates EMDR therapy, Somatic Experiencing®, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), attachment-focused therapy, and humanistic psychotherapy to support lasting emotional healing and personal growth.
Many people searching for a Cigna EMDR therapist in San Diego are seeking effective. treatment for traumatic experiences, childhood trauma, attachment wounds, panic attacks, anxiety, or PTSD symptoms. As an EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant, I provide specialized trauma-focused treatment designed to help individuals process difficult experiences, reduce emotional distress, and improve overall well-being.
Online therapy offers flexibility, privacy, and convenience while allowing you to access specialized care from anywhere in California. If you have Cigna or Evernorth behavioral health benefits, therapy services may be covered according to your individual plan. I encourage prospective clients to verify their mental health benefits directly with Cigna/Evernorth to better understand their coverage, deductible, copay, or coinsurance responsibilities.If you are looking for a Cigna therapist San Diego, Cigna psychologist San Diego, Evernorth therapist San Diego, or Cigna EMDR therapist, I invite you to schedule a complimentary consultation to determine whether we may be a good fit to work together.
Embarking on a therapeutic journey can bring up questions and uncertainties—it’s completely natural to seek clarity. I encourage you to take the first step in exploring your needs and concerns. Your well-being is my priority, and I am here to offer support.
If you would like to send me a secure message, please visit: https://drschild.clientsecure.me/contact-widget.
You can also schedule a free 15-minute consultation call by clicking here. This consultation is an opportunity for us to connect, discuss your needs, and explore how we can work together to support your unique path to healing. Your journey begins with a conversation, and I look forward to guiding you toward greater well-being.
Additionally, I am in-network with a limited number of insurance providers, including Cigna/Evernorth. By participating selectively, I aim to balance accessibility with the ability to provide thoughtful, high-quality, and individualized care to each client.
Virtual appointments available for individuals in California, Hawaii, Florida, Virginia and Washington DC* Ph: 858-602-2847
Mon | 09:00 am – 07:00 pm | |
Tue | 09:00 am – 07:00 pm | |
Wed | 09:00 am – 07:00 pm | |
Thu | 09:00 am – 07:00 pm | |
Fri | 09:00 am – 07:00 pm | |
Sat | Closed | |
Sun | Closed |
Limited availability for new clients**
*I exclusively provide remote therapy sessions through video or phone, and no longer offer any in-person appointments. I am licensed in CA, HI, VA, DC, and FL (https://www.flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/)
**While my availability is typically limited, I welcome inquiries about my services. If, unfortunately, I am unable to accommodate your needs, I may be able to offer you a suitable referral to ensure you receive the support you are seeking.
Emergency Services Notice
Please be aware that I do not provide emergency services. If you are experiencing a crisis or need immediate assistance, I encourage you to visit my Emergency Resource Page. There, you will find contact information for local emergency services and organizations that can offer the urgent help you need. Your safety and well-being are paramount, and these resources are available to support you during critical times.

Humanistic Psychotherapy is a compassionate, relationship-centered approach that helps individuals develop greater self-awareness, authenticity, and personal growth by exploring their thoughts, emotions, values, and life experiences within a supportive therapeutic environment.

EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach that helps individuals process traumatic memories, reduce emotional distress, and develop healthier beliefs about themselves and their experiences.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based approach that helps individuals develop psychological flexibility by learning to relate differently to difficult thoughts and emotions while taking meaningful action guided by their values.

Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) is a body-oriented therapy that helps individuals regulate their nervous systems, resolve the effects of trauma and chronic stress, and restore a greater sense of safety, resilience, and well-being.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy® (SP™) is a trauma-informed, body-centered approach that integrates emotional processing, mindfulness, and awareness of physical sensations to help individuals heal the effects of trauma, attachment wounds, and chronic stress.

DARe (Dynamic Attachment Re-patterning Experience) is an experiential, attachment-focused approach that helps individuals identify and transform longstanding relational patterns, fostering greater emotional security, self-compassion, and healthier connections with others.






Explore some of the most popular psychology articles on EMDR therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), somatic therapy, trauma, PTSD, anxiety, attachment styles, men's mental health, and LGBTQ+ mental health. Learn about evidence-based approaches to healing, emotional resilience, personal growth, and psychological well-being while gaining practical insights into trauma recovery, relationships, self-understanding, and mental health treatment
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