About Me · San Diego

Hello! I’m
Dr. Mark Karris.

A therapist, a fellow human being, and someone who believes that healing, hope, and restoration are possible.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#85177), with experience working with individuals, couples, families, and youth.

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Dr. Mark Gregory Karris · LMFT #85177

The person behind the practice

What I bring to our work together

I may have a fancy degree, a library full of books, and a stack of research papers taller than I am, but my work is also shaped by the experience of being human.

I’ve experienced the highs and lows, the victories and defeats of life. I’m not perfect. And I know firsthand that healing, hope, and restoration are possible.

I bring both my professional education and my personal experiences to our work, with a desire to understand you and accompany you through yours.

“I know firsthand that healing, hope, and restoration are possible.”

The journey that shaped my work

What I’ve learned along the way

I’ve been around the block a time or two in terms of therapy experience.

Beginning in New York

I cut my teeth working with adolescents at Nyack College in New York, and honed my skills working with people experiencing severe mental illness at Mental Health of Rockland County.

Building a foundation in San Diego

I worked as a therapist at Point Loma Nazarene University’s Wellness Center and at the Alliant Couple and Family Clinic, where I specialized in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy under the mentorship of Kathryn de Bruin and Lisa Palmer Olson.

Learning across cultures and communities

I spent three years in Japan working on a military base, leading mindfulness and process groups and providing individual, couple, and family therapy. I also traveled internationally for the Red Cross, conducting workshops on stress, trauma, anger, and communication.

Bringing that experience home

Back in San Diego, my work has also included serving as an adjunct professor at Point Loma Nazarene University, teaching counseling courses. I also served as an adjunct professor at Claremont School of Theology, teaching on trauma.

A thoughtful foundation

The learning behind the work.

My education includes a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Nyack College, a Masters of Counseling from Alliance Graduate School of Counseling, a Master of Divinity from Drew Theological School, and a PsyD from Alliant International University with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy.

My approach is compassionate, direct, relational, and integrative. The next page brings together how I work and the depth of training that informs it.

Explore my approach, education & training →

Books, research & music

Creative Life

Writing about the human experience

I’m the author of five books, with writing that explores relationships, faith, heartbreak, and healing. My books include:

Beyond Fairy TalesFinding clarity, doing the work, and building a lasting relationship.
Religious RefugeesNavigating faith transitions and moving toward spiritual and emotional healing.
Season of HeartbreakFinding a way through the grief of a relationship ending.
Divine EchoesRethinking prayer as a loving, active partnership with God.
The Diabolical TrinityHealing religious trauma rooted in fear, shame, and Hell indoctrination.

Curiosity, research & understanding

My research papers explore shame, self-criticism, self-compassion, faith transitions, and the work of healing relationships after trauma and infidelity.

Explore my research papers →