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.
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Anger management, Coping with life changes
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy
NC Psychologist 2085
FL Psychologist PY9451
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Brian Esterling. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
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!!!
Written on Apr 06, 2023 after therapy with Brian for 1 year and 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
I love Dr Esterling. To say it has been “life changing” would be an understatement.
Written on May 19, 2022 after therapy with Brian for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and anger management
Insightful, understanding, productive, professional
Written on Mar 16, 2022 after therapy with Brian for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes
Dr. Esterling is a tremendous therapist and a wonderful person to work with. 10/10 would recommend.
Written on Nov 09, 2021 after therapy with Brian for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and coaching
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.
Written on Sep 27, 2021 after therapy with Brian for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, and career difficulties
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.
Written on Sep 07, 2021 after therapy with Brian for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd