Sydney Erskine , LMFT

Sydney Erskine is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California who brings a long history of clinical work to clients seeking meaningful change. She completed a Masters in Psychology in 1994 and received her professional license in January 2000. Over her career she has worked in addiction treatment centers, dual diagnosis programs, and in private practice in the Bay Area, developing experience with a range of presenting concerns from substance use to relationship and trauma-related issues.

Sydney takes a holistic, individualized approach to treatment, integrating biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors to form a tailored plan for each person. Her training spans several theoretical orientations, including psychodynamic perspectives and Bowen family systems, humanistic approaches that emphasize empathy and respect, and practical strategies drawn from Dialectical Behavior Therapy to support skills-based change. This blend allows her to explore how past patterns affect present functioning while offering tangible tools for managing difficult thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

She values the courage it takes to begin therapy and approaches each client with compassion and regard for their distinct identity and worth. Initial work focuses on assessing the concerns that prompted seeking counseling and establishing measurable goals. Through collaborative exploration of values and meaningful action steps, Sydney supports clients in redirecting attention toward authentic living, internal motivation, and sustained transformation.

Approaches That Translate Well to Online Therapy

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on providing empathy, unconditional positive regard, and a nonjudgmental space so clients can explore their values and sense of self. It helps people working through identity, relationship, and self-esteem concerns by centering the client’s perspective and strengths.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) is designed to help people understand and reshape emotional responses within relationships. It is useful for couples and individuals who want to improve attachment, communication, and emotional connection by identifying patterns and creating new ways of relating.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-moment awareness and acceptance skills that can reduce reactivity to stress and support emotional regulation. It is often used to manage anxiety, stress, and impulsive or intense emotional states.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Sydney Erskine works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. Licensed professionals and therapists will adjust techniques over time, combining approaches when appropriate to fit each person’s experience.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging - making it easier to fit care into a busy schedule or to maintain consistency across life changes. These options support ongoing access to therapeutic work and allow clients to engage in ways that feel most comfortable and convenient for them.