About
- stress and anxiety
- relationship strain
- parenting concerns
About Matthew
Matthew Esselstrom is a California-licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 22 years of professional experience. He helps people navigate stress, anxiety, relationship strain, anger, low self-esteem, parenting challenges, addictions, grief, and other life changes. Sessions are offered in English and geared toward practical problem-solving rather than labels or diagnostic declarations.
Matthew centers conversations on what a person is facing now and what they want to change. He adjusts his approach to the situation and to how a client prefers to work. Sessions focus on clearer communication, managing strong emotions, and building everyday routines that reduce strain at home and work.
Over two decades of practice have included work with mood difficulties such as depression and bipolar, attention challenges like ADHD, and trauma-related problems. He also addresses intimacy issues, eating and sleeping struggles, and caregiver stress. This range gives him experience across common parenting and adult household concerns.
He uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques and keeps the work concrete. Expect goal-focused conversations, skills practice, and short-term strategies you can try between sessions. The emphasis is on making small, workable changes that fit into daily life.
People who prefer clear, direct guidance and practical steps tend to find his style useful. He encourages honest talk about setbacks and progress, and he works collaboratively to adjust plans when needed.
How sessions work
How his approaches translate to online sessions
Matthew uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical skills and problem solving. One common approach is cognitive-behavioral style work, which helps identify unhelpful thinking patterns and replace them with clearer, more useful actions for everyday life. This method is often used for anxiety, depression, sleep and eating difficulties, and coping with stress.Another approach emphasizes emotion regulation and communication skills. That work teaches specific ways to notice strong feelings, calm down in the moment, and express needs more clearly to others. It can be helpful for anger, relationship tension, intimacy concerns, and parenting stress.
Finding the right mix of techniques is part of the first sessions. He will collaborate with each person to decide what fits their goals, preferences, and daily routine. The plan can be adjusted over time based on what is or isn’t working.
The biography does not specify which session formats he uses, so confirm current options before booking. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, require less travel time, and allow focused check-ins that slot into work or caregiving breaks. Some formats need less bandwidth or do not require being on camera, which can be useful on days when a shorter, simpler check-in is better.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Experience
22+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, relationship strain, anger, self-esteem, parenting issues, addictions, grief, trauma, and related concerns listed in his profile.
What is his therapeutic approach and style?
He uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques and keeps sessions practical. Expect focused conversations, skill-building, and plans you can try between meetings.
How much experience does he have?
He has 22 years of professional experience working with adults on a range of emotional and behavioral concerns.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He is an LMFT licensed in California and conducts practice from that state.
Does he offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. He does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Confirm current session options before booking to learn how sessions are held.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.