Dr. Emily Essid, PsyD
I'm Dr. Emily Essid, a licensed clinical psychologist offering online therapy to adults across California. A lot of the people I work with are professionals, caregivers, or people who seem to have it all together on the outside: reliable, thoughtful, the ones everyone counts on. But privately, they're carrying a lot: responsibility that feels heavy, guilt that doesn't quite make sense, self-doubt that's been there so long it almost feels normal. And all of it has quietly shaped how they see themselves, how they connect with others, and how they move through their emotional life.
My approach is relational, trauma-informed, and focused on helping you understand yourself more deeply. Therapy is a place where you can actually slow down—where we look at the patterns that have been running in the background for years and start to loosen their grip. The goal is more flexibility in how you relate to yourself and others, and also real, practical tools to help you feel more grounded and steady day to day.
Who I work with
A lot of the people I work with grew up learning to keep their emotions in check, put others first, and stay calm no matter what. These are real strengths, but they can also become exhausting over time, leading to anxiety, burnout, strained relationships, or feeling disconnected from yourself and the people around you.
You might be a good fit if you:
Carry a lot of responsibility as a professional or caregiver
Keep noticing the same emotional or relationship patterns and want to understand why
Seem like you have it together on the outside, but feel weighed down on the inside
Want therapy that digs deeper than just managing symptoms
Areas of focus
I specialize in working with adults who want to understand themselves and their relationships on a deeper level. The issues I most often help people work through include:
Trauma and how early relationships shaped you
Relationship struggles and patterns that keep repeating
Mental health during pregnancy, postpartum, or while navigating fertility challenges
Anxiety and depression
Major life changes and questions about who you are
I provide online therapy exclusively to adults who are physically located in California at the time of their sessions. I also have limited sessions available to adults located in Illinois and Florida. To learn more about eligibility, licensure, and what to expect, visit the page below.
Online therapy in California
Ready to get started?
Finding the right therapist matters. If you’re looking for thoughtful, depth-oriented online therapy and would like to explore whether we’re a good fit, I invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.