Photo Credit: Bea York

KristelYoneda (she/they/fancy he) received their B.A. from George Washington University, where they majored in Religion and minored in Sociocultural Anthropology (note: they are not religious, but rather had a lot of anxiety and existential dread as a queer teenager in the 90s).

They have a Marketing Certificate from Santa Monica College and an M.A. in Psychology from California Southern University. They fulfilled their practicum hours at the LGBTQ Center in Orange County as an MFT trainee.

Kristel Yoneda is an AMFT (AMFT #139294) and APCC (APCC #13825) under the supervision of Ami Koide (CA LMFT #136634) and are currently employed at Gather and Grow OC. Previously they worked under the supervision Brooklynn Kendall (CA LMFT #103221) at the Nest Counseling Center, who they consider their mentor and was also their supervisor at the LGBTQ Center OC.

Kristel owns and operates Ikigai Marketing, which offers purpose-driven business coaching and marketing services. Concepted in 2016, they have worked with a diverse range of clients across multiple industries and specialize in building therapist brands.

With their unique background in marketing and mental health, Kristel has presented at numerous professional conferences such as the Contemporary Relationships Conference, Catalyst Con, Woodhull Sexual Freedom Summit, Gender Spectrum, Internext, XBIZ, AVN, YNOT’s Cammunity Event, Exxxotica, and as part of Kink.com’s educational series. They also host a free educational workshop to help sex workers find competent and affirming mental healthcare services.

Sad But Rad Therapy is Kristel’s therapy practice and an extension of their mental health initiative, Sad But Rad Club. They are an award-winning marketer and community figure in the adult industry.

Kristel is also a current member of CAMFT and a former member of OC CAMFT, WPATH. They also completed a 40-hour Domestic Violence Advocate Training certificate via Laura’s House.