Meet Dr. Emily Essid, PsyD

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I'm Dr. Emily Essid, a licensed clinical psychologist offering online therapy to adults in California. I've been in practice for over eight years and have specialized training in trauma, attachment, and relational therapy. My focus is on helping people understand the deeper patterns that shape their relationships with themselves and others.

I'm American with French and Tunisian heritage, which has shaped how I think about identity, belonging, and the roles we take on within our families and cultures. I pay close attention to how these forces, cultural expectations, family dynamics, and questions of where you fit, affect how you feel and relate to others.

I believe in listening carefully, staying curious, and building a real collaborative relationship with the people I work with. My hope is to help you develop a more integrated sense of who you are and a deeper connection to your own inner life.

My clinical approach

Three signs attached to a chain-link fence with greenery behind. The signs read, from left to right, "DONT GIVE UP," "YOU ARE NOT ALONE," and "YOU MATTER."

My approach is relational, depth-oriented, and trauma-informed. We'll work together to explore how your early experiences in relationships continue to affect how you feel, make decisions, and show up in your life today. A lot of people come to therapy noticing the same patterns playing out in their relationships, work, or how they treat themselves—patterns that feel stuck even when they understand them intellectually.

Our work focuses on both understanding and practical change. Therapy isn't just about insight; it's also about building greater emotional flexibility, learning to regulate your feelings, and strengthening your ability to connect with others in everyday life. My goal is to create a space that feels thoughtful, steady, and responsive to where you are and what you need.

I offer all sessions online through a secure platform, so you can do this important work from wherever feels most comfortable and private. I'm currently licensed to provide telehealth to adults in California, Illinois, and Florida.

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Education

  • Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, Alliant International University, San Diego (2022)

  • Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, Alliant International University, San Diego (2020)

  • Master of Arts in Creative and Media Enterprises, University of Warwick, United Kingdom (2016)

  • Bachelor of Science in Economics, Politics and International Studies, University of Warwick, United Kingdom (2015)

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  • Specialized Training in Maternal and Reproductive Mental Health - Certificate from Fertility Counseling Postgraduate Course/ Kristy Koser, PhD and Laura Covington, PhD (2024)

  • SDPC Fellowship, San Diego Psychoanalytic Center (2023)

Advanced training

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Areas of focus

I work with adults navigating a range of concerns, with particular focus on:

My work is especially well-suited for individuals who have spent much of their lives prioritizing others’ needs, managing emotions quietly, or staying composed under pressure, and who are now seeking a deeper sense of clarity and connection.

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Licensures

  • Licensed Psychologist, California (PSY34868)

  • Licensed Psychologist, Illinois (071.011377)

  • Telehealth Provider, Florida (TPPY2692)

I offer all sessions through a secure online platform. Right now, I'm able to work with adults who are physically in California, Illinois, and Florida during our sessions.

Online therapy gives you flexibility and privacy while still allowing for deep, meaningful work. It also means we can maintain consistency even when life gets busy or circumstances change.

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Beyond the therapy room 

I’ve always been curious about what shapes people, how our histories, relationships, and losses quietly influence the way we move through the world. Growing up between Paris, Tunisia, and the United States taught me early that identity is layered, and belonging doesn’t always come easily. That awareness shapes how I listen in the therapy room, with an ear for what’s spoken and what’s held back. I’m drawn to helping people understand themselves with more kindness, to see patterns not as flaws but as stories that make sense in context.

Outside of work, I find calm in cooking as a way to unwind and reconnect with myself, and I share my home with a sweet, slightly unhinged dog who keeps life from ever feeling too predictable. I often return to novels that remind me why I love the complexity of human nature. My work and my life are guided by the same belief that growth begins when we stop striving to be perfect and start getting honest about what’s real.

Considering therapy?

Finding the right therapist matters. If you're looking for thoughtful, in-depth online therapy and want to see if we might be a good fit, I'd be happy to talk. You can schedule a free 15-minute consultation to get a sense of how I work and whether this feels right for you.

Book a Free Consultation