About Center for Enriching Relationships, Inc · San Diego
The Center for Enriching Relationships (CER) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Christian counseling center headquartered in San Diego, California, founded by Donald W. Welch, Ph.D., LMFT. Originally incorporated in Kansas in 2003, CER now operates multiple offices throughout San Diego County — including Mission Valley, Chula Vista, El Cajon, La Mesa, Spring Valley, and Rancho Bernardo — providing professional psychotherapy rooted in biblically consistent principles. It serves as the San Diego chapter of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) and partners with Point Loma Nazarene University's Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling program to train the next generation of Christian therapists.
The Center for Enriching Relationships, Inc. (CER) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit counseling organization founded in 2003 in Kansas by Dr. Donald W. Welch, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #50129), and now headquartered at 4025 Camino del Rio South, Suite 250, San Diego, CA 92108. Its mission is 'Empowering therapists to heal brokenness,' with a vision to 'fully equip the next generation of Christian therapists, strategically locate them in churches and communities, and commit to bringing affordable, compassionate and empowering healing to everyone we can.' CER is non-denominational and explicitly supports the local church by placing psychotherapists inside church ministries to strengthen relationship health and spiritual growth across congregations. CER provides individual, couples, family, group, and child counseling, as well as specialized sex therapy (Dr. Welch is a Certified Sex Therapist through the American Board of Christian Sex Therapists), using a problem-solving systemic approach. The center accepts private insurance and offers sliding-scale fees, hardship applications, and reduced-cost services to make therapy accessible, with reported fee reductions exceeding $73,000 in 2024. CER partners with Point Loma Nazarene University's Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling program as a clinical training site, and collaborates with Point Loma Nazarene University's Center for Justice and Reconciliation (CJR), providing subsidized counseling for survivors of human trafficking through the Beauty for Ashes Scholarship. As the San Diego chapter of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS), CER also offers seminars, workshops, retreats, and keynote addresses for churches, schools, companies, and associations across San Diego County.
- In business
- Founded 2003 in Kansas; reorganized as California nonprofit with IRS ruling year 2010
- Owner
- Donald W. Welch, Ph.D., M.S., LMFT (CEO & Founder)
- Serves
- San Diego County, California — with offices in Mission Valley (San Diego), Chula Vista, El Cajon, La Mesa, Spring Valley, and Rancho Bernardo
- Rating
- Charity Navigator 54% / One-Star rating (1 of 4 stars)
Mission, Vision & Purpose
CER's mission is 'Empowering therapists to heal brokenness.' Its vision is 'to fully equip the next generation of Christian therapists, strategically locate them in churches and communities, and commit to bringing affordable, compassionate and empowering healing to everyone we can.' As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt counseling center, CER provides professional psychotherapy with biblically consistent approaches at reasonable and affordable fees. The organization is non-denominational and is not affiliated with any particular church, but believes strongly in the sanctity and authority of the local church and seeks to serve pastors and congregations through its professional expertise.
- Mission: 'Empowering therapists to heal brokenness.'
- Vision: Equipping the next generation of Christian therapists for churches and communities.
- Purpose: Professional psychotherapy with biblically consistent approaches at affordable fees.
- Function: Non-denominational support of local-church ministry.
Statement of Faith
CER publishes a clear evangelical statement of faith that anchors its counseling approach in Christian doctrine and biblical authority.
- Belief in the authority of the Bible (Old and New Testaments) as the inerrant, inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21).
- Belief in one God, eternally existing in three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (1 John 5:7; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2).
- Belief that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit and become children of God (John 1:12; John 3:16; Romans 10:9–10; Galatians 3:26).
History of the Center
Enriching Relationships was first incorporated in Kansas in 2003 by Donald W. Welch, Ph.D., LMFT, with the goal of strengthening and enriching relationships. The organization later re-established its base in San Diego, California, where it now operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 26-3403146, IRS ruling year 2010). Today it runs the largest network of its kind in San Diego County, with six offices serving thousands of clients each year.
- Incorporated in Kansas, 2003.
- Reorganized as California nonprofit; IRS ruling year 2010.
- Headquarters: 4025 Camino del Rio South, Suite 250, San Diego, CA 92108.
Counseling Services & Therapeutic Approach
CER offers therapy for individuals, couples, families, groups, and children, using a problem-solving systemic approach. This means treatment focuses on understanding client goals and working together in a focused, planned way — sometimes including assignments between sessions — while considering how family, work, religion, society, and other systems affect the client's situation. Appointments are available mornings, afternoons, evenings, and Saturdays.
- Individual Therapy
- Couples Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Child and adolescent counseling (behavior, school adjustment, performance)
- Problem-solving systemic therapeutic approach
- Convenient morning, afternoon, evening, and Saturday appointments
Sex Therapy Specialty
Dr. Welch is a Certified Sex Therapist with the American Board of Christian Sex Therapists. CER addresses a range of marital sexual concerns, integrating faith-informed counseling with clinical sex-therapy practice.
- Couples' sexual communication and intimacy
- Low desire and arousal concerns
- Erectile dysfunction
- Vaginal pain
- Premature ejaculation
- Orgasmic dysfunction
Therapists & Staff
CER's clinical team includes licensed psychotherapists, registered associate therapists, psychological assistants, and practicum/trainee students. Dr. Donald W. Welch serves as CEO and Founder; he is also a Medicare Provider and oversees the professional partnership with Point Loma Nazarene University's clinical counseling program. Associate-level clinicians (e.g., Sarah Ahrem, MA, AMFT #143991) provide services under supervision. Past clinical experience of the founder includes serving as a family-therapy staff member at Charter Behavioral Health System of Kansas City, a psychiatric hospital once located in Overland Park, Kansas.
- Donald W. Welch, Ph.D., M.S., LMFT #50129 — CEO & Founder
- Sarah Ahrem, MA — Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #143991)
- Additional licensed psychotherapists, registered associates, psychological assistants, and practicum students
- Dr. Welch in private practice in Kansas since 1998
Office Locations Across San Diego County
CER operates from six locations across San Diego County to make counseling geographically accessible. The mailing address is 11330 Campo Rd, La Mesa, CA 91941.
- Mission Valley (headquarters): 4025 Camino del Rio South, Suite 250, San Diego, CA 92108
- Chula Vista: 484 E Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910
- El Cajon: 1500 E Lexington Ave, El Cajon, CA 92019
- La Mesa: 11330 Campo Rd, La Mesa, CA 91941 (mailing address)
- Spring Valley: 3902 Kenwood Dr., Spring Valley, CA 91977
- Rancho Bernardo (referenced on mission page)
- Phone: (619) 858-3105 or (619) 280-3430 — Fax: (619) 280-5420
Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) — San Diego Chapter
CER is the San Diego chapter of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS), a national interdisciplinary community of Christians in the mental-health and behavioral-science professions. While CAPS members represent a variety of denominations, professional groups, and theoretical orientations, they are united in their commitment to Christ and to professional excellence.
- CER hosts the CAPS San Diego chapter.
- Common commitment to Christ and to professional excellence across denominations.
- Engages members professionally, spiritually, and personally.
Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) Partnership
CER partners with Point Loma Nazarene University's Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling program, training the next generation of Christian therapists. Dr. Welch oversees this professional clinic partnership. CER is committed to preparing a new generation of Christian therapists through this clinical-practicum relationship.
- Clinical training partner with PLNU's MA in Clinical Counseling program
- Hosts practicum and trainee placements
- Dr. Welch oversees the professional partnership
Beauty for Ashes Scholarship — Partnership with PLNU Center for Justice and Reconciliation
Since 2016, CER has partnered with the Center for Justice and Reconciliation (CJR) at Point Loma Nazarene University to provide greatly subsidized counseling for survivors of human trafficking who receive the Beauty for Ashes Scholarship. The partnership began when CJR staff member Kim Berry Jones met a CER psychologist and recognized the need for trauma-informed, ongoing therapeutic care. CER's generosity now delivers life-changing counseling support to these students as they rebuild their lives after exploitation.
- Beauty for Ashes Scholarship — PLNU CJR
- Subsidized counseling for survivors of human trafficking
- Partnership formed in 2016 with Kim Berry Jones (CJR)
Fees, Insurance & Accessibility
CER works to keep counseling affordable through a sliding-scale fee structure, hardship applications, and acceptance of private insurance (subject to plan limitations). Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are also accepted. The center reports significant annual fee reductions: in 2024, sliding-scale and hardship-application reductions totaled $73,763, while insurance adjustments meant CER collected $793,938 less in fees than billed. CER does not decline services based on protected status, including sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, or sexual orientation.
- Sliding-scale fees and hardship applications
- Private insurance accepted per plan limitations
- Visa, MasterCard, American Express accepted
- Non-discrimination policy on protected statuses
Education & Outreach: Seminars, Workshops, Retreats
Beyond clinical counseling, CER offers education and inspiration through seminars, workshops, retreats, and keynote addresses tailored to churches, schools, companies, and associations. CER also places professional psychotherapists directly into local-church ministries as 'relationship experts' to help congregations enjoy increased relationship health and spiritual growth.
- Seminars, workshops, retreats, keynote addresses
- Custom programs for churches, schools, companies, and associations
- Local-church relationship-expert placement program
Organizational Profile & Governance
CER operates as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit with EIN 26-3403146 and an IRS ruling year of 2010. Cause IQ classifies it under NTEE code F60 (Counseling Support Groups) and NAICS 624190 (Individual and Family Services). The organization is registered with the California Attorney General's Registry of Charitable Trusts (current — reporting incomplete; AB 488 status: may operate or solicit for charitable purposes). The fiscal year ends in December, and tax-deductible donations are accepted.
- EIN 26-3403146
- IRS ruling year 2010
- Form 990 filer; fiscal year ends December
- NTEE: F60 Counseling Support Groups; NAICS 624190
- Charity Navigator 54% / One-Star rating