CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST · PSYCHOTHERAPIST · AUTHOR
Dr. Michael Wayne Regier, Ph.D.
Dr. Michael Regier is a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist with more than 40 years of experience helping people understand themselves and their relationships. His practice focuses on couples therapy, individual therapy, and depth psychology.
He is a Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist and Supervisor. He sees clients at the Center for Relational Excellence in Los Osos, California, and offers online therapy for clients throughout California.
Call (805) 242-4604 · Meet the practice
40+ years of clinical experience
Experience across inpatient, outpatient, addictions, and corporate settings.
Certified EFCT therapist and supervisor
Advanced work in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and clinical supervision.
Couples and depth psychology
A focus on emotional connection, self-understanding, and the patterns shaping relationships.
A relational approach to psychotherapy
Dr. Regier brings together attachment theory, object relations theory, and Jungian psychology in his work with clients. His approach makes room for both the emotional patterns affecting everyday relationships and deeper questions about identity, purpose, and personal development.
Dr. Regier welcomes people who want to take an active role in their growth: “I want to understand my reactions,” “I want to communicate better,” or “I want to be a better spouse.” His work invites self-reflection, personal responsibility, and compassionate curiosity. The starting point is discussing your goals and whether individual therapy, couples work, or another available learning format fits your needs.
- Couples therapy: Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy for partners exploring conflict, disconnection, and relationship concerns.
- Individual therapy: Emotionally focused work with personal emotions, relationship patterns, and self-understanding.
- Depth therapy: Jungian-informed exploration of inner life, meaning, and development.
- Relationship counseling and education: Resources for understanding emotional connection and relationship foundations.
Explore all therapy options or learn what to expect as a new client.
Education and advanced training
- Ph.D., clinical psychology: California School of Professional Psychology.
- Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy: Certified EFCT Therapist and Supervisor.
- Jungian Psychology for Clinical Practice: Completed the program at the C.G. Jung Institute of Los Angeles.
- Postdoctoral training: Couples group psychotherapy with Judith Coche, Ph.D., in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Executive coaching: Completed training with the College of Executive Coaching in Pismo Beach, California.
- Additional professional development: Extensive training in the Enneagram and Personality Patterns of Developmental Pathways.
His training supports his work with individuals, couples, leaders, and groups who want to develop self-awareness and more thoughtful ways of communicating. Learn more about his current therapy services.
Clinical, academic, and professional experience
Dr. Regier’s career includes clinical care, teaching, research, program administration, and executive coaching. He served as a staff psychologist at Philhaven Hospital in Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania. As a former faculty member at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, he worked in addiction treatment, research, and program administration.
He was a founding member of Kaweah Delta Health Care District’s Psychiatric Residency Program in Visalia, California, and has taught graduate students and psychiatric residents.
His work with industry and nonprofit organizations has included employee and executive counseling, leadership assessment and coaching, stress management, team building, and conflict resolution. Organizations he has worked with include DuPont, General Motors, Chrysler, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Inland Star Distribution Centers, and the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware.
Professional affiliations
- California Central Coast Psychological Association: Member and past president.
- International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy: Lifetime member.
- Johns Hopkins Medical and Surgical Association: Member.
View articles and resources reflecting his work in relationships, attachment, and personal development.
Professional identity
Full name: Michael Wayne Regier, Ph.D.
Professional focus: Clinical psychology, psychotherapy, couples therapy, and depth psychology
Language: English
NPI: 1487806410
Books, courses, and teaching
Dr. Regier and his wife, Paula Regier, co-authored Emotional Connection: The Story & Science of Preventing Conflict & Creating Lifetime Love. The book connects a relationship story with explanations of emotional connection and attachment.
He is the creator of the Emotional Connection online relationship course. His writing has appeared in YourTango and Psych Central, as well as professional peer-reviewed and trade publications.
Group Learning, Seminars, and Speaking
His teaching includes Stronger Together: Building Resilience in the Line of Duty, presented to police chiefs and their spouses, and a nine-part series on soul health, marriage, and leadership.
He has co-facilitated Hold Me Tight couples retreats and presented seminars for therapists, physicians, police officers, church groups, and San Luis Obispo spiritual directors on the science and spirituality of lasting love relationships.
Learn about Stronger Together or explore seminars and retreats.
Meet with Dr. Regier in Los Osos or online
Center for Relational Excellence
1705 14th Street
Los Osos, CA 93402
In-person appointments take place at the Los Osos office. Online therapy is available to clients throughout California. Explore therapy service areas for nearby Central Coast communities.
To ask about availability or request an appointment, call (805) 242-4604 or use the practice’s appointment request process.