Emma Esposito

I am a second-year Ph.D. student in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University and a graduate researcher in the Affective Development Lab. I bring four years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and adults across a range of presenting concerns, including OCD, ADHD, eating disorders, trauma-related symptoms, and anxiety. My clinical and research interests center on understanding how emotional development, regulation processes, and family dynamics contribute to mental health outcomes in youth. I am particularly committed to integrating evidence-based practices, including CBT, DBT, and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), with developmentally sensitive, strength-based approaches that support youth and their families.

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I am involved in projects examining affective processes, early emotional competencies, and pathways that influence risk and resilience. I am also passionate about teaching and mentorship; I currently serve as a teaching assistant and enjoy supporting undergraduate and graduate students as they develop research skills or explore clinical careers.

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Outside of my academic and clinical work, I enjoy painting, singing, dancing, and attending musicals and theater productions. I also love traveling, visiting local farmers’ markets, and spending meaningful time with friends, family, and pets.