Dr. Brian Esterling

Dr. Brian Esterling is a clinical psychologist with three decades of experience. He uses a client-centered, solution-focused approach to help people navigate stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, and major life transitions. He emphasizes practical steps people can take to reach their goals and feel more in control.

He began his career on the faculty at Duke University Medical Center, where he saw clients and supervised psychiatric interns in outpatient care. He later served as Clinical Director for a national managed care organization, overseeing treatment planning and therapeutic practice across many settings. He currently chairs the Graduate Psychology program at a major online university in Florida.

Dr. Esterling blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness techniques, and motivational interviewing in straightforward sessions. He helps people notice how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact and then tests small changes that can reduce barriers to progress. Sessions focus on identifying a clear roadmap and practical steps toward short- and long-term goals.

He has a Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Miami and an MBA from Pfeiffer University. He also holds psychologist credentials in North Carolina and Florida (NC Psychologist 2085; FL Psychologist PY9451). He lives in south Florida and brings a pragmatic, goal-oriented style to therapy.

Outside the office he is a competitive rower and a father of two. He enjoys travel, home improvement projects, and working on his classic sports car.

How his approaches fit into online therapy

Dr. Esterling commonly blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness in his work. CBT helps people identify and test thoughts that feed anxiety or low mood, and then try small behavioral experiments to see what changes. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices that can reduce reactivity and help people notice patterns without judgment.

Choosing the best approach is part of the process. He works collaboratively to match methods to a person's goals, preferences, and daily routines. That means trying techniques, adjusting the plan, and focusing on what produces useful progress for the individual.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It can also let people practice skills in real-life settings between meetings so the work feels directly relevant to everyday challenges.