Glenn Motola, PsyD (Hillcrest and La Jolla)

(He/Him/His) Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Hello! I am a gay identified adoptive dad who has taken a unique and multifaceted journey to ultimately being a therapist in San Diego. My specialities include working with the LGBTQ+ community, those impacted by OCD, anxiety, trauma, and depression. I also work with those individuals exploring their sexual orientation as adults. I work
with both gay and straight couples, as well as those families, adolescents, and youth impacted by intellectual and developmental challenges, as well as autism spectrum challenges.

I received my doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 1996 after completing my predoctoral placement on a shared VA and active-duty military psychiatric inpatient unit at Travis Air Force Base and the Oakland/Martinez VA. Post- graduation, I opened one of San Francisco’s first and largest medical residential hospices in response to the growing HIV/AIDS crisis while simultaneously completing post-doctoral hours as a clinician in San Francisco in private practice. Shortly thereafter, I was promoted to be the Director of all HIV Services for Catholic Charities CYO in San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo Counties, and led 5 medical/psychosocial residential hospices and over 250 units of supported housing. Subsequently, I led the entire 40-million-dollar portfolio of youth development, senior, HIV, adoption, immigration/refugee, transitional youth, and clinical and behavioral health services until 2007.

In 2008, I worked in Marin County where I grew and developed the Oak Hill School for children and youth with ID/DD and autism spectrum challenges. In addition to being the adoptive dad of kids with special needs, this experience has given me great insight into the challenges and struggles of families with kids with special needs, the complex school district IEP processes, parents’ struggles, and the complex regional center system.

Then in 2011, I took the helm as the CEO of the Arc San Francisco for 6 years, followed by becoming the CEO of the Reimagine Network in Orange County for 5 years, another large clinical psychoeducational organization serving individuals with ID/DD and those with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.

As a gay-identified San Diego therapist, I am committed to bringing all these years of rich experiences to create a welcoming and dynamic therapeutic experience for my clients. Having been trained in a psychodynamically oriented doctoral program, I was able to compliment my treatment philosophies and approaches with years of working with individuals facing many of life’s challenges and difficulties in real-time ways, designing behavioral programs, implementing developmentally based learning and treatment methodologies, and utilizing team-based psychobioeducational approaches to meet individuals needs and goals. I think developmentally, reflecting and referencing one’s current challenges and situation, while considering past traumas and challenges and how this impacts the way forward. My approach is client centered, holistic, and comprehensive. I will partner with you to ensure your total health and mental health challenges are addressed in safe surroundings.

Education:
Psy.D. Doctor of Psychology, Pepperdine University, Malibu CA, 1996
M.A. Master’s in Clinical Psychology, Montclair State University, Upper Montclair, NJ 1992
B.A. Bachelor of Arts, Economics/Spanish College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA

I am in-network with Aetna at this time and will be in-network with Anthem Blue Cross, Cigna and MHN in the near future.