Omar G. Khder, Ph.D.

Dr. Khder earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from Alliant International University in 2022 and his M.A. in Psychology in 2017. His APA-accredited internship was completed at the W. Gary Cannon Psychological Service Center, where he worked with adults, couples, and students using approaches like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and health psychology interventions.

Since then, Dr. Khder has had the opportunity to train and work in a variety of settings, including San Mateo Medical Center, Hillcrest Psychological Associates, and California State University, Fresno. He has collaborated with multidisciplinary teams in pain management, primary care, and behavioral health, integrating psychological, medical, and relational perspectives to promote holistic well-being.

Dr. Khder specializes in treating anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, sleep issues, and pain-related conditions. He also has experience supporting individuals navigating men’s issues, LGBTQ+ identity, aging and health challenges, and stress-related disorders.

Dr. Khder’s therapeutic approach blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Gestalt therapy, and brief, solution-focused interventions. He strives to create a space where clients can explore their experiences openly, gain insight, and develop new ways to relate to themselves and others. His style is collaborative, direct, and compassionate — focused on helping people clarify what truly matters to them and take meaningful steps toward change.

Over the past decade, Dr. Khder has worked across clinical, medical, and forensic settings, providing both individual and group therapy. He has led psychoeducation groups focused on pain, stress, and emotional regulation, conducted psychological assessments, and supervised graduate-level trainees. His experience has also included collaborating with physicians, case managers, and rehabilitation teams to address the complex relationship between physical and psychological health.

Working in environments ranging from correctional facilities to medical centers has shaped how Dr. Khder understands resilience — not as an abstract concept, but as something that can be cultivated through awareness, connection, and practice.

I’ve lived in San Diego for most of my life and am passionate about making mental health care accessible and culturally responsive. Outside of my professional work, I enjoy spending time with my family, exploring psychology through writing and teaching, and finding new ways to integrate technology and mindfulness into everyday life.

My philosophy is rooted in the belief that clarity and compassion are the foundations of change. I help people slow down enough to see their inner experience clearly — not as something to fix or control, but as something to understand, integrate, and learn from.

I view anxiety, grief, and shame as signals rather than flaws — messages pointing toward unmet needs, fractured self-trust, or disconnection from one’s values. My role is to help clients translate those signals into insight and direction.

Healing, to me, is about reclaiming authorship over your story — reconnecting with your values, strengthening your emotional awareness, and fostering the courage to make choices that align with your true self. I see therapy as a collaborative process where understanding, accountability, and self-compassion meet.

Ultimately, I believe we all have the capacity to grow, even through suffering. When we approach ourselves with curiosity and empathy rather than judgment, we begin to transform pain into perspective — and that perspective into purpose.