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Therapist profile

Esther Kennedy

Therapist · California

Licensed Clinical Social Worker - emotional patterns and coping

Esther Kennedy
Credentials
LCSW
License
LCSW, California · 12912
NPI
1326237108
Experience
35 years
Languages
English
Location
California
  • Emotionally-Focused Therapy
  • CBT techniques
  • Mindfulness practice

About Esther

Esther Kennedy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California with 35 years of experience. She works with adults on stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, depression, coping with life changes, relationship and family concerns, parenting, anger, career issues, and ADHD. Sessions focus on practical skills and clearer emotional understanding.

Esther draws from Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) alongside client-centered methods. She also uses cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior strategies, and mindfulness practices. These are used to help people recognize patterns, name difficult feelings, and try new ways of responding.

Her background includes outpatient therapy, individual work, group facilitation, and psychosocial assessments. She has experience with crisis intervention, case management, and supporting social-emotional development. Esther has worked with people affected by substance misuse and domestic violence as part of her clinical work.

In sessions she blends talking with hands-on skills practice. That might look like noting triggers, practicing breathing or grounding exercises, and trying small behavioral changes between meetings. She also uses motivational interviewing techniques to help people find what matters most to them.

Esther describes her approach as client-centered and culturally sensitive. She aims to listen without judgment and to respond with care. People who want clear steps and emotional insight often seek this kind of practical, emotion-focused work.

How Esther integrates EFT and skill-based work online

Esther commonly uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) to help people name and work through strong emotions and the interaction patterns that keep those feelings stuck. EFT can be useful when emotions are hard to recognize or when habitual responses cause repeated upset.

She also uses client-centered therapy, which centers the conversation on the person’s experience and priorities, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to identify unhelpful thoughts and test small behavioral changes. CBT is practical for anxiety, mood, and coping with life changes.

Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. Esther will talk with each person about their needs and goals, try approaches, and adjust based on what works. The aim is to find methods that fit the client’s situation rather than imposing a single style.

Session logistics should be confirmed before booking since session formats are not specified in the biography. In general, online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. If you prefer a particular session format, confirm the current options when you schedule your first appointment.

Areas of expertise

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesADHD

Experience

35+ years

Listed in

California

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address?

She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, depression, coping with life changes, relationship and family issues, parenting, anger, career concerns, and ADHD.

What therapeutic approaches does she use?

She uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy along with client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 35 years of experience in behavioral health working in outpatient settings, groups, and individual care.

What are her credentials and location?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in California.

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English.

Does she work with international clients?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

How are costs handled?

Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin a first session?

Click the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.

Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.

Esther KennedySee online therapy options