Emma Esper, LMFT, LPCC

As a therapist, my work with clients is based on the metaphor of Kintsugi, which is an art form where broken pottery is repaired with gold. 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. 

I provide clients with the support they need to transform areas of shame into recognition of courage. We do not have to be perfect to be enough. 

Types of clients treated: 

• Adults 
• Couples
• Males, females, and LGBTQ populations. 

Types of therapies or interventions used: 

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Couples Therapy (primarily Gottman Method)
• Person-Centered Therapy
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
• Compassion Focused Therapy
• Gestalt and Ego-Therapy (parts work)

Types of mental health issues treated:

• Complex trauma
• Codependency
• Anxiety and perfectionism
• Depression
• Dissociation
• Domestic abuse/violence
• Relationship issues
• Infidelity
• Men’s issues
• Self-criticism, self-sabotaging, and other aspects of types of self-harm

Licenses/Certifications: 

• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), #14998
• Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), #137235

Education: 

• M.S. Counseling Psychology, California State University, Long Beach
• B.A. Psychology and Social Behavior at University of California, Irvine 

Availability: 

• Newport Beach, CA 
• Long Beach, CA
• Telehealth

Years of experience: 4 years; prior to being a clinician, I had 5 years of experience working in a non-licensed / peer support role within the mental health field. 

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. 

"I am not learning to escape my darkness. I am learning to love myself there." -Rune Lazuli