Illustration of the text 'SOUL 2 SOUL' with a large number 2 in the middle, in red and black colors.

DR. GREGORY CANILLAS

"What you seek is seeking you."  - Rumi

ABOUT ME

A bald man with glasses wearing a black shirt sitting comfortably in a gray armchair with a purple background.

I am the CEO of Soul 2 Soul Global (S2S) a mission driven company that provides “Simple Relationship Solutions for Busy People.”

I am also the creator of the Love Wins! LGBTQ+ Weekend Couples Retreat, a fun and intensive couple retreat that combines LGBTQ+ specific coaching with a luxurious resort experience. S2S also offers the SYMBIS Assessment (“Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts”) for all couples.

I earned my B.A. in Psychology and American History from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and hold an M.A. and PhD in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology @ Alliant University. I have made more than two hundred keynote and invited seminar presentations at conferences on four continents on dating and relationship issues; working with LGBTQ+ clients; diversity and mental health; substance abuse issues; and treatment with children, adolescents, and families.

With more than three decades of experience in the mental health field, I most recently served as an Associate Professor in the graduate Clinical-Forensic psychology program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Los Angeles). I have also taught at several other academic institutions including Pepperdine University, National University, the California School of Professional Psychology @ Alliant University, Loyola Marymount University, Antioch University and the University of California, Santa Cruz. Previously, I served as a Program Director at several community agencies overseeing programs in adult mental health, child/adolescent mental health and family perseveration. Additionally, I served as a Clinical Psychologist (LAC Department of Mental Health),  a Children’s Social Worker (LAC Department of Children & Family Services) and as Foster Family Social Worker (Drew Child Development Corporation). I also served as the Chair of the Commission for Youth and Families in Long Beach, California, where I was charged with developing services for children and families and advising the mayor and city council on services for these populations. I also served on the board of directors of the UC Santa Cruz Alumni Association.

Last year, I was honored to serve a contributing author of the American Psychological Association’s “Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Sexual Minority Persons”, writing the sections on diverse romantic relationships (Guideline 9) and families (Guideline 11). I have been published in academic journals such as the American Psychologist and Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, as well as in the popular press, in periodicals such as Ebony Magazine. Most recently, I appeared as a subject matter expert in the award-winning documentary “Beyond Ed Buck (2021)”.

An avid traveler, I am also a published poet and playwright. My autobiographic work “The Monkey Chronicles”: a journey about love, infidelity and forgiveness told through a blend of poetry and storytelling, premiered at the Son of Semele Solo Creation Festival in 2018.

To learn more about my work or for more information about S2S’s services or to make a consultation appointment, please visit www.soul2soulglobal.com.

MY APPROACH

A man with short hair and medium skin tone, wearing a dark sweater, holding eyeglasses and looking at the camera, with a circular frame around him.

 "I value human connection and recognize its importance in creating a happy, fulfilling relationships. I understand first hand some of the challenges and opportunities for growth that come with romantic and familial relationships. Through my work and lived experience, I have gained knowledge about myself and my relationship with others. I have a deep knowledge of people, their pain points and the factors that contribute to growth and transformation. I use my experience with individuals, couples and families to help people to co-create more satisfying relationships."

Previous Speaking Engagements include…

Academic & Cultural Institutions

Columbia University logo with blue shield and crown symbols
Antioch University logo in black text.
Western University of Health Sciences logo with text and emblem
Seal of the University of California, Riverside, featuring an open book, a star, a serpent, and the university's name encircling the design.
California State University, Los Angeles logo with a yellow and black color scheme, a map of California, and an open book displaying the year 1947.
USC Trojans logo with red and black colors.
A logo featuring a red heart shape with a stylized map pin and the text 'American Heart Association'.
Text reading 'California Lutheran University' with purple and yellow design elements.
Logo of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology featuring a stylized blue knot design with the institution's name below.
Seal of Los Angeles County with logo and text for the Department of Mental Health, emphasizing hope, recovery, and wellbeing.
The seal of the University of California, Davis, featuring an open book, a lighted lamp, a star, and the motto "Let There Be Light."
Logo of Skirball Cultural Center featuring the name and a stylized green bird.
University of California, Santa Cruz logo
Seal with Greek key pattern border and symbols for life, architecture, and engineering, with text 'University of Illinois' and 'Civil Engineering'
Seal of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, featuring the acronym 'CDU' in gold in the center, with the full university name encircling the seal.
UCLA emblem featuring an open book with a snake, a star above, and a banner with the motto 'Let there be light'.
Rays of Hope logo with an orange and yellow circle and the slogan 'the heart of Alexandra'

CURRICULUM VITAE

COURSE VITAE

PUBLICATIONS

UPCOMING PANELS, CONFERENCES AND LECTURES

PAST PANELS, CONFERENCES AND LECTURES

Relationship issues & Children and Families.

PAST INVITED LECTURES, PANELS & CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

Additional areas of specialization.