Emma Esper, LMFT, LPCC

My authenticity is what makes me unique as a therapist. When people traditionally think of therapists, there's an image of the happy, nurturing, gentle female in a professional cardigan. I do not hide my tattoos, my piercings, my gauged ears. I talk about darkness, I curse in sessions — I am a human. I am not everyone's cup of tea, and I am okay with that. I want to demonstrate that we don't need to make ourselves smaller, don't need to hide our self-expression, that we don't need to mask in order to have a place in this world. To all the misfits, to those who don't fit in — there's a safe space for you here.

I am Provia's Clinical Director.

Types of clients treated:

- Young Adults (18-25)

- Adults (26-64)

- Couples

- Families

- Groups

- LGBTQ+

- Trans & Gender Expansive

- Non-Monogamous

- Neurodivergent

- BIPOC

- Immigrants & First-Generation

- College Students

- Expats & Nomads

Types of therapies or interventions used:

- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

- Internal Family Systems / Parts Work

- Humanistic & Existential

- Gottman Method

- Somatic & Body-Based

- Trauma-Informed Care

- Compassion-Focused

- Feminist & Anti-Racist

- LGBTQ+ & Gender-Affirming

- Psychoeducation

Types of mental health issues treated:

- Anxiety

- Depression

- Complex Trauma

- Childhood Trauma

- OCD

- Personality Disorders (incl. BPD)

- Dissociation

- Schizoaffective & Psychotic Disorders

- Substance Use & Recovery

- Self-Harm & Suicidal Ideation

- Domestic & Intimate Partner Violence

- Sexual Assault & Sexual Trauma

- Sexuality & Gender Identity

- Identity & Belonging

- Cultural & Systemic Stress

- Relationship & Attachment Issues

- Infidelity

- Perfectionism

- Self-Esteem & Shame

- Men's Issues

- Grief & Loss

- Adjustment Disorders

- Codependency & Boundaries

Licenses/Certifications

- LMFT #137235

- LPCC #14998

- Compassionate Inquiry Trained

Education

- B.A. Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine

- M.S. Counseling Psychology, California State University, Long Beach

Availability

- Newport Beach, CA

- Long Beach, CA

- Telehealth

Languages: English

Years of experience: 6

Why I became a Therapist:

As someone with their own history of trauma, I remember longing for a space where I could feel heard, seen, and safe. I decided I wanted to dedicate my life to mental health after having my first experience with a therapist that provided me with what I was needing in order to start to feel safe within myself. I had many people in my life that were critics, that told me I couldn't do it. What motivated me to keep pushing was not to prove the critics wrong, but to honor the part of me that rose up and told me that I was enough. My two greatest joys in life have been to fight for myself, and to be able to be part of another person's fight. I am grateful each and every day that I get to help someone connect all the parts of themselves with compassion and kindness.

Describe your therapeutic approach and what makes it unique?

My therapeutic approach can be best described by my favorite quote and metaphor. "I am not learning to escape my darkness. I am learning to love myself there." — Rune Lazuli

This quote connects beautifully to the metaphor of Kintsugi. Kintsugi is a Japanese art form where broken pottery is repaired with gold lacquer. This repair creates greater strength in the places where the piece has been broken. Kintsugi shows us that there is beauty in our scars, in feeling broken, in being shattered. Our struggles are a part of our story. Kintsugi asks us not to hide or feel ashamed of our story; it gives us space to remind ourselves of our resiliency and survival. I help guide my clients in embracing their flaws and imperfections. In sitting with our darkness, we can transform.