Christopher Tellez, LCSW

Christopher Tellez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Reiki Master based in San Francisco, California. He earned a Master of Social Work from Columbia University in 2005 and obtained his LCSW credential in 2021. In addition to clinical practice, he founded and operates the SF REIKI CENTER, established in 2011, where he teaches Reiki and sees clients for energy-based work.

Christopher blends a somatic, mind-body-spirit orientation with talk therapy, helping clients process emotions in a supportive setting and move through difficult experiences to build the life they want. His work emphasizes bodily awareness alongside emotional exploration, and he can incorporate spiritual practices, meditation, or mantra techniques when clients express interest.

He has substantial experience addressing stress and anxiety, grief and loss, anger, motivation and self-esteem challenges, and issues affecting LGBTQ clients. Christopher also works with concerns such as dissociation, gender dysphoria, impulsivity, isolation and loneliness, life purpose, financial stress, panic attacks, polyamory and non-monogamous relationships, post-traumatic stress, seasonal mood shifts, sexuality, and social anxiety.

Christopher approaches therapy from a client-centered stance that honors each person as the expert of their own story. He focuses on identifying strengths, cultivating confidence, and supporting clients as they take courageous steps toward a more satisfying and meaningful life.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Christopher

Christopher draws on Client-Centered Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), and Mindfulness Therapy to guide online work. Client-Centered Therapy centers the client's own goals and perspectives, offering a respectful, nonjudgmental space that supports self-discovery and confidence building. Emotionally-Focused Therapy helps clients and couples tune into and reorganize emotional responses so they can process attachment-related concerns and improve relationship patterns. Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-moment awareness through breathing, body awareness, and gentle practices that can reduce reactivity and support coping with stress and anxiety.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Christopher works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. Together they explore what feels most helpful and adjust the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with licensed professionals offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit varying schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, access support from home or work, and integrate therapeutic practices into daily life while working with a therapist who tailors the approach to the individual.