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Dr. Brian Esterling, Psychologist

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

Brian is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

5.0 stars
Clients are very satisfied with Brian. View 11 reviews
Speaks English
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in Florida and North Carolina

Recent reviews

Dr. Esterling is everything you could want in a therapist: extremely compassionate, empathetic, intelligent and knowledgeable about his field. I highly recommend working with him! 6 out of 5 stars!!!

Reviewed Apr 2023

I love Dr Esterling. To say it has been “life changing” would be an understatement.

Reviewed May 2022

More about Brian

  • 30 years' experience
  • Male
  • Psychologist

Hello! My name is Brian and I am a Licensed Psychologist with over 30 years of experience in the field. I began my career on the faculty at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC where I saw clients and supervised psychiatric interns completing their outpatient rotations. I have also served as the Clinical Director for a national managed care organization, where I was responsible for monitoring and ensuring best practice treatment planning and therapeutic techniques from over 5,000 practitioners across the United States in a wide range of therapeutic settings including inpatient hospitalization, partial and intensive outpatient care, and outpatient settings. I am currently serving as the Chair of the Graduate Psychology program at a major online university in Florida. Clinically, I work with clients affected by depression, anxiety, self-esteem/motivation, and career challenges.

Originally from the mid-west, I currently reside in south Florida. I received my undergraduate degree in Psychology and Biochemisty from Rutgers College in New Brunswick, NJ and my Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL. I also returned to school following my Doctoral degree to obtain an MBA from Pfeiffer University in Charlotte, NC as I am also interested in looking at financial models that promote greater quality of care in behavioral health settings.

My approach to therapy is both client-centered and solution-oriented. I strongly believe that clients are the experts of their lives and can be empowered to make changes that allow them to reach their goals. I assist clients in identifying areas of focus (i.e., a roadmap to what they want to achieve in therapy) as well as the steps necessary to take to make the positive changes that they desire. This is accomplished through Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques where I assist clients in exploring relationships among their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may be contributing to barriers to their short- and long-term goals, ultimately creating a path to positive outcomes.

Outside of my work, I am a competitive rower and devoted father of two wonderful children. I enjoy spending time with my wife and children, traveling, home improvement projects and restoring and maintaining my classic sports car.

Specialties

Stress Anxiety Self esteem Career difficulties Depression Coaching Addictions Relationship issues Family conflicts Grief Anger management Coping with life changes

Treatment Approaches

  • Client-Centered Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Mindfulness Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Solution-Focused Therapy

Licenses

Dr. Brian Esterling's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1891919635.

  • Psychologist · Florida · PY9451 · Expires May 2026
  • Psychologist · North Carolina · 2085 · Expires October 2024

About online counseling

Affordable.
Pay a low flat fee.
Convenient.
Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
Available now.
There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.

Online counseling, also known as teletherapy, is a method of delivering mental health services through digital means such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging platforms. It can be an ideal option for individuals who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to geographical distance, time constraints, or personal preferences like privacy and comfort. Many people find it easier to open up from the familiarity of their own space. Teletherapy has been found to be highly effective, with studies showing that it can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy, particularly for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The flexibility and accessibility it offers make it a valuable alternative to conventional therapy settings.

Reviews for Dr. Brian Esterling

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

5.0

11 reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Clients mention: Recommend Genuine Helpful Insightful Understanding Wonderful Amazing Empathetic Healing Helped

Dr. Esterling is everything you could want in a therapist: extremely compassionate, empathetic, intelligent and knowledgeable about his field. I highly recommend working with him! 6 out of 5 stars!!!

Reviewed Apr 2023

I love Dr Esterling. To say it has been “life changing” would be an understatement.

Reviewed May 2022

Insightful, understanding, productive, professional

Reviewed March 2022

Dr. Esterling is highly responsive and insightful and has been a genuine help to me as I grapple with issues relating to the simultaneous end of my marriage and a major career transition.

Reviewed Nov 2021

Dr. Esterling is a tremendous therapist and a wonderful person to work with. 10/10 would recommend.

Reviewed Nov 2021

Dr. Esterling has some really wonderful perspectives and asks the right questions to help me figure out my next steps to healing. I feel like I can tell him anything, which says a lot because I don't feel like that with many people.

Reviewed Sep 2021

I appreciate everything that Brian has helped me through these last several months When I came to him , my life was in shambles and I wasn’t sure which way was up and i had hit rock bottom. My life has now been amazing these past several months and I can say I feel better than I’ve felt in a very long time . Thank you so much for every Brian, I would definitely recommend this app and my therapist to others , I actually already have to several friends and acquaintances. Thank so much again.

Reviewed Sep 2021

Dr. Esterling is genuine and listens carefully. He guides you through issues, gently. I find this very important because I feel more in control.

Reviewed March 2021

Dr. Esterling is very patient and understanding, he reviews with me on our discussions and goals.

Reviewed January 2021

Dr. Esterling is intuitive, always reads what I write clearly, and offers logical and helpful suggestions. I would highly recommend as a therapist!

Reviewed January 2021

Having someone to spend the to listen then provide helpful feedback to better one's self is exceptional and appreciated.

Reviewed January 2021

How was your experience with Brian?

Frequently asked questions

Does Dr. Brian Esterling offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Dr. Brian Esterling works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.

What language(s) does Dr. Brian Esterling speak?

Dr. Brian Esterling speaks English.

How many years of experience does Dr. Brian Esterling have?

Dr. Brian Esterling has 30 years of experience.

Where is Dr. Brian Esterling licensed to practice?

Dr. Brian Esterling is licensed to practice in Florida and North Carolina.

Does Dr. Brian Esterling accept clients outside of the United States?

No, Dr. Brian Esterling does not accept clients outside of the United States.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."

What treatment approaches does Dr. Brian Esterling offer?

Dr. Brian Esterling offers clients Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

How can I communicate with Dr. Brian Esterling?

Dr. Brian Esterling can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.

How do I get started with Dr. Brian Esterling?

Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.

Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.

And recovery is possible.

Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video

When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.