Works with
- Anger
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Coping with life changes
How Matthew works
- Not listed
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LMFT
- Licensed in
- California
- Years in practice
- 22
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Matthew
Matthew Esselstrom is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with 22 years of experience. They focus on practical support for people dealing with stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship problems, anger, and life transitions. Matthew aims to create a respectful, sensitive space where people can talk honestly about what’s hard for them.
Matthew builds a plan around each person’s needs instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach. Sessions tend to be straightforward and goal oriented, with an emphasis on skills you can use between meetings.
Background and approach
Matthew also works with concerns like addiction, grief, trauma, and mood disorders, helping clients find clearer steps forward. People meet Matthew to address things like motivation, confidence, intimacy issues, sleep and eating problems, parenting strain, and career stress. Matthew also supports clients facing neurodiversity, attachment struggles, and the stress of caregiving or blended family dynamics.
The approach is practical and focused on real-life changes rather than abstract theory. Matthew describes their role as supportive and empowering. They encourage clients to move at a pace that feels manageable while learning new ways to cope and communicate.
Progress is tracked through concrete goals and everyday practice. Therapy with Matthew is offered in English and delivered online through several formats. New clients begin by completing a short matching questionnaire and then scheduling sessions based on availability.
What Matthew works with
Everything Matthew lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Matthew's practice.
- 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
How therapeutic approaches translate to online care
Many practitioners who use evidence-based therapeutic techniques favor methods that teach concrete skills. One common approach focuses on learning coping and emotion regulation strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and anger. These techniques break difficult moments into steps you can practice between sessions to reduce reactivity and increase control.Another approach emphasizes improving communication and relationship patterns. This style helps people identify unhelpful interaction habits, practice new ways of speaking and listening, and set clearer boundaries to improve intimacy and reduce conflict. It can be useful for work on relationship strain and commitment or control issues.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk through your goals and preferences and suggest techniques that fit your situation. You and the therapist will adjust the plan over time based on what helps most.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to support different needs. Video lets you use visual cues and a fuller conversation. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier during a busy day. Live chat and messaging are useful for brief check-ins, homework, or when writing feels more comfortable. These options make it easier to schedule regular sessions and practice skills in real time.
Questions people ask about Matthew
What kinds of concerns can Matthew help with?
Matthew works with stress, anxiety, anger, self-esteem, relationship concerns, grief, trauma, addictions, mood disorders, and related issues listed in the profile.
How does Matthew approach therapy sessions?
The style is practical and collaborative. Matthew tailors dialog and a treatment plan to each person and focuses on skills and goals you can use between sessions.
What is Matthew's background and experience?
They are a licensed marriage and family therapist with 22 years of professional experience working with a wide range of mental health and life concerns.
Where is Matthew licensed to practice?
Matthew holds a California LMFT credential and practices as a licensed marriage and family therapist in California.
Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available for working online?
Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How does pricing and payment work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Matthew?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.