Opal Psychological Welcomes Dr. Kai Chuang, Sports Psychologist
By Dr. Ladera Linn, Founder & CEO September 15th, 2026
Dr. Kai Chuang, Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in high performance athletes, sports psychology and men’s mental health
We're delighted to welcome Dr. Kai Chuang to Opal Psychological — a licensed clinical psychologist and sports psychologist bringing steady, systems-minded expertise in athlete and high-performer mental health to our La Jolla practice.
If you've been searching for a sports psychologist in La Jolla or San Diego — someone who understands both the clinical complexity of performance pressure and the lived experience of competing at the highest level — Dr. Chuang is now welcoming new clients.
Meet Dr. Kai Chuang
Dr. Chuang earned his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University, California School of Professional Psychology in San Francisco. He completed his APA-accredited internship at the Aggie Health and Wellness Center at New Mexico State University, then went on to complete his postdoctoral residency as the university's first embedded psychology resident dedicated exclusively to NCAA Division I Athletics — later becoming the primary psychologist for more than 450 Division I student-athletes across 16 varsity programs.
That training shows up in the room as steadiness under pressure — the kind of grounded, collaborative care that holds space for what high performers carry both on and off the field.
His clinical focus centers on athletes and high performers navigating performance pressure, performance anxiety, and identity development, alongside anxiety, trauma, relationship concerns, and life transitions more broadly.
His Approach to Therapy
Dr. Chuang's style is defined by translating complex psychological concepts into practical, understandable skills — the kind that build real hope, resilience, and psychological flexibility, not just performance tips.
He draws from evidence-based modalities including:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Attachment-based and trauma-informed approaches
Mindfulness-based interventions
These approaches are especially effective for performance-related stress, anxiety, and the identity work that comes with a life built around achievement — areas where Dr. Chuang has particular clinical depth, alongside his broader work building sustainable mental health support within high-pressure environments.
Who He Works With
Dr. Chuang welcomes:
Athletes & High Performers
Men
People of Color
Adolescents & College-Age Clients
Adults
Whether it's a student-athlete navigating pressure on and off the field, or a high performer whose drive has started to cost them, his care meets each client exactly where they are.
A Bit More About Dr. Chuang
Outside the therapy room, Dr. Chuang is a San Diego native and proud SDSU alum returning home to La Jolla — the community where he grew up and where his family and closest friends still live. As a Taiwanese American psychologist fluent in English and conversational Mandarin, he brings deep cultural humility to his work, along with a founder's mindset as the creator of AthletesAdaptOS, an initiative advancing mental health support for athletes and other high performers.
Now Accepting New Clients in La Jolla & Across California
Dr. Chuang is currently accepting new clients for both in-person sessions in La Jolla and virtual therapy across California. If you're ready to build the mental side of your performance with the same intention you bring to training, we'd love to help you get started.
Schedule a free 20-minute consultation to learn more about working with Dr. Chuang and see if Opal Psychological is the right fit for your care.
