What patients are saying
Overall rating
4.00
Average wait time
4.00
Bedside manner
3.00
About Dr. Samuel Wessels
Focus areas
Adult Psychotherapy
Childhood Trauma
Anxiety
LGBTQ+ Counseling
Bereavement / Grief Counseling
Transgender Care
Clientele seen
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Adults (25-64)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment approaches
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Motivational Interviewing
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Psychodynamic
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Relational
Identity
Gender
MaleSexuality
GayLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Dr. Samuel Wessels
Hi, I’m Dr. Sam Wessels. I'm so glad you've made it here! Many of my clients are LGBTQ+ and grew up in Mormon, Catholic, evangelical, or culturally conservative homes and are now unpacking the shame, guilt, anxiety, overwhelm, people pleasing, and self-criticism that came with it. You may have left your hometown and family, and those beliefs, but still can't stop getting wrapped up in cycles of burnout, high expectations, and stress in your closest relationships (or a lack of them).
We'll explore your habits of relating to yourself, your emotions, and other people that has kept you stuck in these unhelpful patterns and finally make sense of yourself. You can be your own ally, rather than your biggest critic. You can have connected and fulfilling relationships, and more confidence and ease as you pursue your goals and passions.
I offer queer-affirming therapy in-person in San Francisco and online, helping adults heal from religious trauma, guilt, and self-criticism. Together, we’ll work on the puzzle of your heart, and emerge with a path forward so you can start living the authentic, whole-hearted life you’ve longed for.
What should a new client know about working with you?
A personal value of mine is to show up authentically as myself and act like a real human being. I won’t sit across from you passively and hide what I’m thinking. I will be a passionate and dedicated companion with you on the journey of unfolding your self.
This work can be intense and deep, so relief is necessary. We may be crying one minute, and then laughing our asses off the next. I bring a dark sense of humor to my work and my clients tend to serve it right back.
I use an integrated combination of evidence-based approaches tailored to your needs and goals.
My work draws from relational psychodynamic therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Motivational Interviewing.
I start from the belief that we are all born curious, creative, compassionate, and connected — both to ourselves and to others. If you’re feeling stuck, numb, disconnected, or overwhelmed, that doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It just means those qualities have been buried under years of stress, shame, or survival.
Whatever the theory, the heart of my work is relational. We’ll pay close attention to your relationships with others, with your emotions, and with yourself, in the past and in the present. Together, we’ll uncover the good reasons you learned to relate to the world the way you do and then gently shift them, experimenting with new ways of showing up that feel more aligned, empowered, and free.
My approach is always trauma-informed, queer-affirming, collaborative, and strengths-based. Therapy with me is not about pathologizing who you are, it’s about reconnecting you with the parts of yourself that have always known how to grow.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
The heart of my work is relational. We'll pay close attention to your relationships with others, your emotions, and yourself, in the past and in the present. Together, we'll uncover the good reasons you learned to relate to the world the way you do and then gently shift them, experimenting with new ways of showing up that feel more aligned, empowered, and free. Sometimes that could involve learning new skills, or journalling, or reading something. Others time it will just be about the exploration itself. And we'll laugh plenty too :)
Dr. Samuel Wessels is not in-network with any insurances
It’s common for mental health providers to be out-of-network. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network coverage, so you may get partially reimbursed. Learn more
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Ongoing session: $250-300 for 50 minutes
Office location
Dr. Samuel Wessels, PsyD also offers online video visits for patients
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- The Wright Institute, PsyD in Clinical Psychology
- The University of Utah (Bachelor's)
NPI number
1548887060
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
4.00
Wait time
4.00
Bedside manner
3.00
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
1 review
Most relevant
Yes, I believe itcqukk be a great experience for me ashe is straight forward.
November 21, 2025Elise W.Verified patient
How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. Samuel Wessels?
Generally, Dr. Samuel Wessels has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Wessels's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Dr. Samuel Wessels accepting new patients?
Dr. Samuel Wessels generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Wessels's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Dr. Samuel Wessels accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Dr. Wessels is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Dr. Samuel Wessels online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Wessels using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Dr. Samuel Wessels work with?
Dr. Samuel Wessels works with Practical Compassion Psychotherapy.
Where is Dr. Samuel Wessels's office located?
Dr. Samuel Wessels has 2 office locations in San Francisco, view full addresses on Dr. Wessels's profile.
What are common reasons for patients to see Dr. Samuel Wessels?
Dr. Samuel Wessels frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Dr. Samuel Wessels on their profile.
What languages does Dr. Samuel Wessels speak?
Dr. Samuel Wessels speaks English.
How do patients rate Dr. Samuel Wessels in reviews?
1 patients have reviewed Dr. Samuel Wessels. The overall rating for this doctor is 4/5. They have a 3/5 rating for bedside manner and a 4/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.