Welcome to the San Diego GSRD Therapist Forum!
We’re glad that you found us.
The San Diego GSRD Therapist Forum is a community for mental health and intimacy professionals whose work centers on and affirms Gender, Sexual, and Relationship Diversity (GSRD).
The term GSRD expands beyond LGBT identities to include the full range of gender expressions, sexual orientations, identity, community, and relationship structures including as BDSM, kink, fetish, D/s dynamics, polyamory, consensual non-monogamy, swinging, and many forms of relationship arrangements.
Our space is designed for professionals who support these communities and who want to connect with others doing similar work.
A Network, Not an Organization
The San Diego GSRD Therapist Forum is not a formal organization. We are a loose-knit network of professionals who gather primarily to:
- Connect and socialize with colleagues
- Offer peer support
- Share resources and referrals
- Collaborate on projects
- Reduce professional isolation
The forum was co-founded by Jennifer Rehor and is proudly sponsored by Affirming Therapy Center.
The forum was co-founded by Jennifer Rehor and is proudly sponsored by Affirming Therapy Center.
By lifting up each other, we lift up the profession.
Our Story
(Written by Jennifer Rehor)
In 2018, my colleague and friend, Dr. John McConnell, rented a booth at the Leather Realm inside San Diego Pride. He invited a few colleagues—including me—who were kink-aware therapists to join him. We called our space “Therapist Corner.”
Our intention was simple: to show support for the leather community by being present as local mental health professionals. The response was incredibly positive. Many people stopped by just to thank us for being there.
The Beginning of the Forum
During those two days, many of us talked about how meaningful it felt to connect with each other and to experience a sense of professional community. We began discussing the possibility of creating a network for kink-friendly therapists in San Diego.
After many conversations over lunch and coffee, Dr. John McConnell and I co-founded the San Diego GSRD-Affirming Therapists Forum. We reached out through our professional networks and invited colleagues who might be interested to join us for our first social gathering.
Our goal was to create a space where we could socialize, support one another, share resources, build referral networks, collaborate on projects, and feel less isolated in this work.
Growth and Community
For about a year and a half, we hosted social events every three to six months. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought our in-person gatherings to a pause, though members continued connecting through our Facebook community.
That same year was a difficult one for our group. Dr. John McConnell retired in October 2020 and passed away in December. His loss was deeply felt by our community and beyond. Members of the forum came together to grieve and support each other, and I remain incredibly grateful for the compassion and connection within this network.
Even through that loss, our shared vision continues.
Reconnecting In Person
In 2022, our group began gathering again in person. One of the first events back was a “dungeon tour for mental health professionals” at House of Black (HoB). With a great turnout and genuine interest, the event included several small-group private tours of the facility, time to socialize, and a question-and-answer session with HoB owner, Fae Black.
Today
Now, the San Diego GSRD Forum hosts monthly events throughout the year, which are proudly hosted and/or sponsored by Affirming Therapy Center as a way of giving back to our community and bringing colleagues together.
Join Us
Thank you for your interest in the San Diego GSRD Forum.
We welcome mental health and intimacy professionals who work with and affirm GSRD communities. To learn more about joining the forum, please visit our Membership page for details about eligibility and how to become a member.
We look forward to connecting with you.