Clinical Psychologist in California and New York
Danielle Esses, PsyD is a licensed clinical psychologist providing individual therapy and forensic psychological assessment in Beverly Hills and across California and New York via telehealth. She has specialized expertise in borderline personality disorder (BPD), functional neurological disorder (FND), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma, and anxiety disorders, while also treating a range of emotional and relationship concerns.
Her style is both gentle and straightforward — she maintains deep curiosity, builds trust through authenticity, and keeps patients 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.
doctoral training
clinical experience
Years of training across leading institutions inform Dr. Esses evidence based, individualized approach to treatment.
training
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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) with a relational approach that focuses on identifying emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal patterns in real time.
approach
Her work balances insight and awareness with active change. Together, we'll explore the patterns that keep you feeling stuck, while developing practical skills to respond differently outside of therapy. This 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.
What state(s) are you licensed to practice?
Dr. Esses is licensed in California and New York. She sees patients in-person in Los Angeles, and via telehealth across California and New York.
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Do you provide in-person or telehealth therapy?
Dr. Esses provides both telehealth services and in-person services at 9401 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 730 in Beverly Hills, CA.
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what are your fees?
Dr. Esses offers a complimentary 15-minute initial phone consultation prior to the first appointment. Her rates for clinical services are comparable with other doctoral level practitioners in California and will be discussed during the phone consultation.
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How do I get started?
If you think you might be interested in starting therapy, reach out to me by phone, email, or using my inquiry form. I'll get back to you quickly.
next steps
Initial consultation call
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.