I’m Dr. Brenda Gesell, the Director of the Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology at Vanguard University in Orange County and the owner of a clinical group practice (Gesell Psychotherapy) in Newport Beach, California. I’ve been practicing therapy and training clinicians for over 20 years and I’m passionate about helping people accept themselves and live more authentically.

For the first six years of my career, I worked with adolescents who had been placed in group homes by the County due to severe emotional disturbances. Following my work with adolescents, I open my own group private practice where I work with adults coping with depression, anxiety, and complex trauma as well as with helping leaders and pastors.

I’m passionate about helping people discover that growth is not about excising the parts of ourselves we find shameful or irredeemable; rather, it is about accepting our whole selves. Jesus did not die on the cross for certain parts of us; he died for each part of us.

When I’m not teaching, facilitating therapy or supervising, I love to go sailing and traveling or spend my time cooking and gardening at home. I look forward to working with you!

Phone: (714) 421-1975
Email: Brenda@GesellPsychotherapy.com