Danielle Esses, PsyD (CA: PSY 36160, NY: 027627) is a licensed clinical psychologist in Beverly Hills, CA, providing individual therapy, couples therapy, and forensic psychological assessment. She works with adults and teens across California and New York, supporting concerns such as anxiety, emotional overwhelm, trauma, and relationship issues. She has particular expertise in treating BPD and issues unique to first responders.
Patients describe her as both gentle and straightforward — someone who maintains deep curiosity, builds trust through authenticity, and keeps them accountable without judgment. In practice, this means she asks the questions that matter and brings attention to patterns that may be easier to avoid. While conversations often go deep, they don’t always have to feel heavy. Humor and levity have a place in therapy here too.
Patients describe her as both gentle and straightforward — someone who maintains deep curiosity, builds trust through authenticity, and keeps them accountable without judgment. In practice, this means she asks the questions that matter and compassionately brings attention to patterns that may be easier to avoid. While conversations often go deep, they don’t always have to feel heavy. Humor and levity have a place in therapy here too.
Dr. Esses completed her doctoral training at the PGSP–Stanford PsyD Consortium, jointly run by Palo Alto University and Stanford University School of Medicine. This generalist training prepared her to assess and treat a wide range of psychological concerns.
From early in her training, Dr. Esses developed a special interest in borderline personality disorder (BPD) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She was mentored by Dr. Janice Kuo, an expert in the field. Her dissertation on mechanisms of change in DBT earned her the Cheryl Koopman Dissertation Award.
Dr. Esses has particular passion for working with individuals who experience intense emotions, complex relationship dynamics, or long-standing patterns that have been difficult to shift in previous therapy. She completed her APA-accredited internship at Montefiore Medical Center, one of the most competitive psychology internships in the country. Her postdoctoral fellowship was at CBT California, where she honed her expertise in treating a broad range of concerns while receiving advanced training in comprehensive, high-fidelity DBT.
Dr. Esses blends her expertise in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) - a present-focused and practical approach - with a psychodynamic understanding of how past experiences and current relational dynamics shape emotional life. She draws on other evidence-based approaches when helpful.
Her work is grounded in slowing down together, noticing emotional patterns as they unfold in your life and in the therapy space, and building both the insight and skills needed for lasting change. Her approach is particularly helpful for those experiencing mood swings, anxiety, relationship difficulties, or the effects of trauma and invalidation.
She draws from years of clinical experience across outpatient, intensive outpatient, inpatient, and psychiatric emergency settings to tailor her approach to a wide range of concerns and levels of severity.
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Complimentary consultation calls are for those who are considering therapy and would like to explore next steps. This is a brief call for us to get a sense of fit and for me to answer any questions you may have.
If it feels like a potential fit, you can fill out the inquiry form and I’ll follow up shortly to coordinate a time to connect.
*Please note that I do not accept insurance.
Check your out-of-network benefits here.