- Years in practice
- 22
- Credentials
- LMFT
- Licensed in
- California
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Relationship issues
- Focus
- Anger management
About Matthew
Matthew Esselstrom is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with 22 years of professional experience. Matthew works with adults on stress, anxiety, mood concerns, addiction, and self-esteem. They approach each person with respect, sensitivity, and compassion.
Seeking help is a big step and Matthew aims to make it feel doable. Matthew adapts sessions to match what a person needs most. Conversations focus on practical steps and small changes that can ease daily struggles.
Background and approach
For someone facing relationship strain, parenting stress, or grief, Matthew offers straightforward ways to improve communication and coping. The work often combines short-term problem solving with longer-term skill building. Matthew helps people set realistic goals and track progress between sessions.
They also make space to talk about deeper patterns that affect mood and behavior. Clients can expect a calm, nonjudgmental tone and focused guidance. Matthew pays attention to what feels most useful and adjusts the plan as things shift.
Sessions are meant to be collaborative and action-oriented when that fits. Over two decades of practice inform Matthew's steady, practical approach. Whether someone is dealing with panic, low motivation, parenting strain, or career decisions, Matthew aims to help people find clearer pathways forward.
What Matthew works with
Everything Matthew lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Matthew helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Coping with life changes
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Antisocial personality
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Dependent personality
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Intellectual disability
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Young adult issues
Approaches that guide online sessions
Matthew uses evidence-based techniques that focus on practical change and stronger coping. One approach emphasizes skill building for anxiety and mood management, teaching breathing, behavioral experiments, and routines to reduce overwhelming moments. This helps people who struggle with panic, low mood, or sleep difficulties.Another common focus is work on relationship and parenting concerns through clearer communication and problem-solving exercises. Sessions often include role-play, feedback on interaction patterns, and tools to set boundaries or rebuild connection.
Finding the right approach is a shared process. Matthew will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't helped before. Together they choose techniques and adjust them as progress is made.
Online sessions offer practical flexibility. Video calls let people work face to face from wherever they are. Phone sessions are useful when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging allow brief, ongoing support between calls and can fit into busy days or work breaks.
Questions people ask about Matthew
What concerns does Matthew commonly address?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, parenting strain, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, and related concerns listed in his specialties.
What is his general therapy style like?
Matthew uses a respectful, practical approach that blends short-term problem solving with longer-term skill building. Sessions focus on real-life steps you can try between appointments.
How much experience does he have?
Matthew has 22 years of professional work experience supporting people with mood, coping, and relationship concerns.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He holds the LMFT credential, a licensed marriage and family therapist designation, and practices in California.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats does he offer?
Matthew works via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How does cost and payment work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; services are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on therapist availability.
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