- Stress and anxiety
- Anger management
- Self esteem
About Matthew
Matthew Esselstrom is a California-licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 22 years of professional experience. He works with adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship strain, anger, low self-esteem, and motivation challenges.
He also helps people facing life changes, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy concerns, sleep or eating problems, parenting stress, career strain, bipolar mood issues, depression, and ADHD. Additional areas include attachment and abandonment worries, blended family matters, codependency, and substance-related problems.
His approach is practical and person-focused. Sessions center on clear conversation about what is happening now, what has been tried, and what change would look like. He adjusts the topics and pace to a person’s immediate needs rather than following a fixed script.
Matthew describes working with respect and sensitivity. He aims to help people build confidence, improve communication, and find manageable steps for handling anger and frustration. He encourages straightforward goals and measurable progress.
Over two decades of practice have included supporting people through relationship conflicts, caregiving stress, and recovery from loss. He uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques and collaborative planning to address specific concerns. To start, he asks about the problem you want to solve and what a useful first session would be like.
Sessions are conducted in English and follow the therapist’s professional standards for California practice. If you want to ask about formats or session length before booking, confirm current session options when you schedule.
How evidence-based approaches translate to online sessions
Many of his methods focus on clear skills and step-by-step work. One common approach is skills-based therapy that teaches breathing, grounding, and communication techniques to reduce anger and anxiety. These techniques help when frustration builds at work or at home and give concrete tools to practice between sessions.Another approach uses problem-focused behavioral work. That involves identifying specific situations that trigger strong reactions, testing small behavioral changes, and tracking what works. This kind of work suits people who want practical experiments and measurable progress on matters like sleep, substance use, or relationship patterns.
Choosing the right approach is part of the process. He partners with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences, and he adjusts the plan as needs change. The collaboration means the work is paced to what a person can manage and aims for clear improvements over time.
Confirm current session options before booking so you know how meetings are scheduled. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time, or allow shorter check-ins when that's all that fits. Ask about session length and format when you schedule to match therapy to your routine.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Experience
22+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, anger, low self-esteem, motivation, addictions, trauma, grief, and related concerns.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
He uses practical, person-focused conversation and evidence-based techniques to set clear goals and manageable steps.
How long has he been practicing?
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 a California LMFT practicing in California.
Which languages does he offer sessions in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can I work with him from another country?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions arranged and paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.