Esra Nihan Bridge, MA, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist | Clinical Supervisor

Relationships can be one of the greatest sources of joy, connection, and fulfillment in our lives. When challenges arise, however, they can affect every aspect of our well-being. Whether you are struggling with communication difficulties, recurring conflict, emotional disconnection, relational trauma, betrayal, or the lingering effects of past experiences, therapy can provide a safe and supportive space to better understand what is happening, heal emotional wounds, and create meaningful change.

I became a relationship therapist because I believe that our relationships can profoundly shape our lives, and that healing begins when we feel seen, understood, and supported. My passion is helping people build stronger, healthier relationships while developing a deeper connection with themselves and the people they love.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, my approach is systemic, attachment-based and integrative, drawing from evidence-based modalities including Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Relational Life Therapy (RLT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I also offer Brainspotting, highly effective therapy modality to help clients process trauma, reduce emotional distress, and foster healing.

I am a professional member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. With fifteen years of experience, I am committed to ongoing professional growth and staying current with the latest research, therapeutic approaches, and best practices in the field of relationship therapy. With a strong dedication to lifelong learning, I continually expand my knowledge and skills so I can provide thoughtful, effective, and compassionate care to my clients. I also offer clinical supervision to pre-licensed therapists, supporting them as they develop their clinical skills, deepen their confidence, and grow into their professional identity as therapists.

Together, we will explore the patterns shaping your relationships, gain insight into how past experiences may be influencing the present, and create space to heal from emotional wounds. You will develop practical tools to improve communication, manage emotions, and navigate challenges more effectively, while building greater self-awareness, resilience, and healthier relationships. I would be honored to support you on your journey toward healing, growth, and lasting change.

I offer therapy in both English and Turkish and welcome clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Academic Degrees

Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy
Thomas Jefferson University

Master's Degree (M.A.)
Istanbul University

Bachelor's Degree in Psychology
Istanbul University

Professional Licensure

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia.

Current and active standing in all jurisdictions.

Professional Training

NYCEFT: Externship in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)

Relational Life Institute: Relational Life Therapy (RLT) Level 1 & 2 Training

Relational Life Institute: Working with Grandiosity, and Working with Infidelity

Dr. Sue Johnson: Emotionally Focused Therapy: Attachment Science in Practice

The Gottman Institute: Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Level 1 & 2 Training

Dr. Leslie Greenberg: Emotional Healing: Unlock the Power of Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT): Fundamentals of Supervision

Pacific Counseling and Trauma Center: Brainspotting Training

Dr. Tammy Nelson: Healing from Affairs

Dr. Arielle Schwartz: Complex PTSD Clinical Workshop

Dr. Karly Mc Bride: Healing the Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers

Dr. Russ Harris: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) & ACT for Trauma

Beck Institute: Essentials for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), CBT for Anxiety & CBT for Depression

Publications

Bridge, E. N. (2019). Emotionally focused couples therapy: A couples struggle with infidelity. International Journal of Afro-Eurasian Research, 4(8), 155–166.

Bridge, E. N. (2019). Review of a Case Study in light of Bowen theory: Differentiation of self. Life Skills Journal of Psychology, 3(5), 65–72.

Bridge, E. N. (2020). Four horsemen in relationships [İlişkilerde mahşerin dört atlısı]. Akademikürsü, 7, 66–68.

Bridge, E.N., Oral, G., & Tunaboylu İkiz, T. (2018). The concept of skin ego and the investigation of the skin ego structuring in drugusers administering the Rorschach inkblot test. Turkish Studies, 13(26), 207-216.

Bridge E.N., & Duman, N. (2019). Partner violence in Muslim marriages: Tips for therapists in the US. Spiritual Psychology and Counseling, 4, 57-66.

Bridge, E.N., & Duman, N. (2020). Transformation of childhood traumatic experiences to violence. Life Skills Journal of Psychology, 4(7), 1-7.

Esra Nihan Bridge, MA, LMFT's Approach

Esra Nihan Bridge, MA, LMFT from several evidence-based approaches to support individuals and couples. Here are the main methods that inform my approach:

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

EFT is an evidence-based, attachment-focused approach that helps individuals and couples processing difficult experiences, and fostering a greater sense of safety and connection. EFT helps couples uncover and express their deeper emotions and attachment needs. By identifying negative patterns that keep you disconnected, we work toward creating new moments of emotional bonding, security, and trust.

Gottman Method Couples Therapy

Based on decades of research, the Gottman Method focuses on improving communication, managing conflict, building friendship, and creating shared meaning. Using this evidence-based approach, I will help you strengthen your emotional connection through practical tools, skill-building exercises, and structured conversations. Together, we will work to build a relationship that feels more connected, resilient, and fulfilling.

Relational Life Therapy (RLT)

RLT blends compassion with directness. It brings awareness to power imbalances, unhealthy dynamics, and the stories we carry from our past. This approach helps partners take responsibility, speak truthfully, and move toward a more connected and respectful relationship.

Culturally Sensitive Approach

I welcome individuals and couples from diverse cultural backgrounds including interracial, intercultural, interfaith relationships.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is an evidence-based approach that helps individuals identify and change unhelpful thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, empowering them to develop healthier coping skills and improve their overall well-being. By recognizing the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions, CBT provides practical tools to manage challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship difficulties, while promoting lasting emotional resilience and personal growth.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT is an evidence-based approach that helps people by developing a different relationship with difficult thoughts, emotions, and memories. Rather than trying to eliminate or suppress painful experiences, ACT teaches skills to accept internal experiences with openness while focusing on actions that align with personal values and long-term goals. ACT encourages accepting what is out of your control and committing to actions that enrich your life and align with your core values.

Brainspotting Therapy

Brainspotting is a powerful, focused trauma therapy that works by identifying, processing, and releasing core of emotional and physical pain. By identifying specific eye positions, or "brainspots," therapy can access deeper emotional and physiological responses. We use this brain-body method to help you access healing beyond where traditional talk therapy can reach.

Systemic Therapy

Systemic therapy is an approach that looks beyond the individual to understand how relationships, family dynamics, and broader social systems influence thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Rather than viewing problems in isolation, systemic therapy helps individuals, couples, and families identify interaction patterns, improve communication, and create healthier, more supportive relationships.