- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Harm Reduction
About Esther
Esther Friedman is an LISW and LCSW with seven years of clinical experience based in Arizona. She works with adults carrying stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, and depression, and addresses related issues such as attachment concerns, codependency, dissociation, and relationship conflict.
Her approach combines several evidence-based techniques so care fits a person's needs. Esther uses practical tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, Exposure and Response Prevention, and psychodynamic ideas. Sessions focus on making sense of patterns and building skills to handle difficult moments.
She often helps people who feel stuck with intrusive thoughts, compulsions, or anxiety that keeps them from living as they want. Conversations aim to clarify what drives problematic behaviors and to practice strategies for change. The work tends to be direct and collaborative, with attention to small, usable steps.
Esther also supports people managing substance use, mood and personality-related difficulties, and the ripple effects those issues bring to relationships and daily life. She can assist with problems like separation, blended family stress, caregiver strain, and commitment or control issues.
Sessions are conducted in English and reflect a mix of skill-building and reflective work. If someone wants to start, they complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session to see how the approach fits their goals.
How evidence-based techniques translate to online sessions
Esther uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT helps break cycles of anxiety, compulsive actions, and low mood by practicing new responses and testing beliefs. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy provides concrete skills for managing strong emotions, tolerating distress, and improving interpersonal effectiveness. These tools are practical when stress or shame feels overwhelming.Motivational Interviewing and Harm Reduction are useful when substance use or ambivalence about change are present. Motivational Interviewing focuses on clarifying personal goals and increasing motivation, while Harm Reduction looks for realistic, lower-risk steps a person can take. Together these approaches support gradual change rather than expecting immediate shifts.
Finding the best mix of approaches is part of the work. Esther will collaborate with the client to decide which techniques to try based on their concerns, goals, and preferences. That plan can be adjusted over time as needs evolve.
The original profile does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. Therapists and licensed professionals often use remote sessions to practice skills between meetings and to keep momentum when life feels hectic.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
7+ years
Listed in
Arizona, Ohio
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, and depression, plus related concerns like attachment issues, codependency, dissociation, and relationship stress.
How would she approach feelings of guilt or shame?
She blends evidence-based techniques to understand what keeps those feelings active and to teach skills that reduce distress. Work can include cognitive strategies and behavioral practice to shift patterns.
What is her clinical background?
She has seven years of clinical experience and draws from several therapeutic approaches including CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Exposure and Response Prevention, Harm Reduction, and psychodynamic ideas.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds LISW and LCSW credentials and practices from Arizona, with the credential abbreviations shown as LISW and LCSW.
Does she work in other languages or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
Which session formats are offered?
The original profile does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Specific pricing details should be confirmed during the sign-up process.
How do I begin if I want to try therapy with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session to get started.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.