My name is Sydney. I am a licensed MFT in the state of California. I completed my Masters in Psychology in 1994 and received my license as of January 2000. I have worked in centers for addiction treatment, dual diagnosis, and private practice in the bay area.
I utilize a holistic approach with my clients customizing treatment as appropriate for the individual. This allows for the integration of our bio-psycho-social-spiritual self. My theoretical background includes, but is not limited to, in brief, Psychodynamics, and Bowen; investigating the systematic learned behavior of your past that has brought you to this moment, Humanism; providing a safe, compassionate, empathic, respectful pathway to guide you in uncovering and discovering your true essential self, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy; practical, realistic, tangible tools to apply to conflictual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
I have a deep appreciation, respect, and compassion for what it takes to summon the courage to seek counseling. In my career as a therapist, I have had the privilege to be of service to individuals seeking positive change in their lives. It is of vital importance to see my clients as they are; individual, distinct, and worthy, they deserve no less and usually much more.
Together, we begin by assessing the issues that compelled you to seek counseling at this time in your life. Through a whole life approach, we will examine the bio-psycho-social-spiritual aspects of your life. We will collaborate to gain insight, create measurable goals, find and develop the value and meaning of these discoveries and implement deliberate actions redirecting your focus to transform your life to be one of authenticity, actionable internal motivation, and transformational change. I look forward to helping you develop and achieve meaningful change in your life. Let's work together.
Professional experience
24 yrs in practice
AddictionsLGBTQ+RelationshipsSelf esteem, MotivationCoping with life changes
Additional areas of focus:Stress, Anxiety, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Anger management, Career difficulties, Depression, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Aging and geriatric issues, Attachment issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Communication problems, Dependent personality, Drug and alcohol addiction, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Multicultural concerns, Post-traumatic stress, Self-love, Somatization, Women's issues
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Sydney Erskine. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Sydney is very attentive while also giving autonomy and space. She gives her unwavering support and is very knowledgeable all while having a very kind and sensitive approach.
Written on Nov 21, 2025 after therapy with Sydney for 4 years and 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and coping with life changes
I feel like Sydney just gets me! From day one she has been present, reflective, supportive and understanding. She offers me words of encouragement, strategies for improvement and questions to think about each week. In some ways I feel like I am talking with a soul sister, someone who knows the levels I operate from. It is so refreshing to have a therapist who keeps me wanting to come back! I know that with her help I am growing and healing each week.
Written on Nov 07, 2025 after therapy with Sydney for 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, compassion fatigue, and adhd
I have a great rapport with Sydney.
She’s great!
Written on Sep 28, 2025 after therapy with Sydney for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Sydney Erskine is a phenomenal therapist. She’s really easy to talk to and offers amazing insight on how to navigate my issues these past several months which greatly alleviated the stress in my life. I highly recommend her.
Written on Aug 06, 2025 after therapy with Sydney for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Working with Sydney Erskine has been one of the greatest blessings of my healing journey. From the very first moment, I felt deeply seen and understood—not just as a client, but as a whole human, navigating life with complexity, depth, and longing. Sydney brings a rare fusion of fierce intelligence, intuitive precision, and unwavering compassion. She is both soft and strong, gentle and grounded, wise and wildly alive.
She’s a total badass—an embodied wisdom holder who knows how to hold space with grace, presence, and impeccability. Her attunement is soulful. I feel her with me in every session: listening not just to my words, but to the layers beneath them. She meets me with kindness, curiosity, and care, yet also knows when to lovingly challenge and reflect what’s true.
I’ve grown more in my work with Sydney than I can put into words. Her presence alone feels healing, and her skillful guidance opens doors I didn’t even know were closed. I am endlessly grateful to be on this path with her—to be held by such a masterful, compassionate, and deeply caring therapist.
Written on Jun 15, 2025 after therapy with Sydney for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, coach
She has immense wisdom and her support of me is invaluable
Written on Aug 21, 2023 after therapy with Sydney for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and adhd
Sydney is the most kind, empathetic, smart, and open therapist I may have ever had. I am loving the relationship we are forming and she has already given me practical tools and advice I have implemented over the past few weeks. I very much am benefiting from our time together.
Written on Jun 13, 2023 after therapy with Sydney for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, and parenting issues
Sydney is a very caring and compassionate human. I’ve grown to be a better person to myself and others with the help of her insight, educational tools & overall non-judgmental, accepting vibe. I always look forward to our sessions, they bring me peace. So grateful!
Written on Jun 04, 2023 after therapy with Sydney for 1 year and 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, and adhd
Sydney is truly the best! She made me feel completely safe and comfortable to be vulnerable and be myself. She empowered me to examine my life and recognize old patterns. She's wise and down to earth and makes me feel seen and understood. 10/10 would recommend Sydney as a therapist : )
Written on Feb 01, 2023 after therapy with Sydney for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and adhd
Sydney is by far my favorite! She lets me use the language I need. She validates me and holds me accountable. She offers solutions. Real solutions and is fine when I don’t take one. She’s seriously an amazing therapist! I’m glad I matched with her.
Written on Nov 29, 2022 after therapy with Sydney for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Sydney helped me bring a new context and perspective to my own life.
Her perspective & guidance were the handrails I needed during some difficult times.
Infinitely thankful to have been paired with her!
Written on Oct 03, 2022 after therapy with Sydney for 2 years and 3 months
Sydney is wonderful! I can not express how much I appreciate her and I look forward to our weekly meetings. I am just super happy with her and I usually am not that positive.
Written on Sep 15, 2022 after therapy with Sydney for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, coping with life changes, and adhd
Sydney is amazing. I feel heard and supported. I feel with her help that I will get where I need to be.
Written on May 25, 2022 after therapy with Sydney for 2 weeks on issues concerning trauma and abuse
Sydney is amazing.
Written on Feb 09, 2022 after therapy with Sydney for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, and intimacy-related issues
Sydney has been great, totally understanding as a therapist. I’ve only had two before her and have always had great experiences with my past therapist. She’s like talking to a wise friend.
Written on Nov 22, 2021 after therapy with Sydney for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd
Sydney has been a great counselor. She has helped me with my issue, and then some. I like that she is straight forward with me, and we get to the bottom of things so that I can live a better lifestyle. She's honestly been a huge help, and anyone is lucky to have her as a counselor.
Written on Sep 25, 2021 after therapy with Sydney for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, lgbt, and relationship issues
SYDNEY IS AMAZING. PERIOD. I have learned a lot from her and also a lot more about myself. She has helped guide me in self-reflecting and become less critical of myself. One of the things I appreciate most about her is that she engages with you and brings up details from previous conversations. It lets me know she remembers what I’ve talked about and that I’m heard. All I can say is thank you Sydney!
Written on Jul 29, 2021 after therapy with Sydney for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem
Sydney has been extremely helpful. I feel like our sessions are bettering my mental health and helping me get through issues I've been experiencing. Her attention to detail and correlating prior weeks notes to our current session helps me know that she is being a great listener and cares about our conversations.
Written on Apr 17, 2021 after therapy with Sydney for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Sydney is absolutely amazing. Not only did she make me feel heard but I felt less alone because she helped me realize the potential that I have within myself. She is so knowledgeable and really takes her time to explain and dive into your emotions and thoughts. With her help I was able to bring the best parts of myself ahead and enhance that while acknowledging the struggles and bettering myself to handle those. By far the best person I have ever had the pleasure of allowing myself to be vulnerable with. :)
Written on Mar 30, 2021 after therapy with Sydney for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes
Sydney has been amazing! She allows me to go at my own pace and lets me open up where I want to. In addition, she has taken a great deal of time with her notes and remembering details that we have mentioned. It is so nice to talk to her, and it feels like I have a cheerleader on my side when I want to try new things. Cannot wait to see how much I grow with her!
Written on Jan 15, 2021 after therapy with Sydney for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and coping with life changes
Sydney really made me feel heard. I felt comfortable to open up about everything I thought and needed help with
Written on Nov 24, 2020 after therapy with Sydney for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
I have only had a couple of sessions so far, but Sydney has been great. I was apprehensive at first, but really feel like she is a great match for me. She listens and is empathetic, gives me good insights and has a fun demeanor that I wasn't necessarily expecting in therapy but it makes it really easy to talk openly. While these are serious subjects, it doesn't have to feel serious - more like a good conversation with an objective friend. I am very pleased with being paired with her and would highly recommend!
Written on Oct 20, 2020 after therapy with Sydney for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, and self esteem
I was very surprised to be matched with what feels like the perfect counselor for me. I highly recommend Sydney, she is very thoughtful, empathetic, knowledgeable and an excellent listener. She has very calm energy and a good sense of humor. I feel safe to tell her anything.
Written on Aug 27, 2020 after therapy with Sydney for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, and intimacy-related issues
She relaxes me
Written on Jun 23, 2020 after therapy with Sydney for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and coping with life changes
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