Speaker & Workshop Creator
Esther Boykin, MFT, is a speaker, mental health consultant, and executive coach known for her ability to make complex ideas about compassion, culture, and leadership both accessible and transformative.
With over two decades of experience as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, founder, and CEO, Esther blends clinical insight with cultural nuance, relational wisdom, and a talent for carefully curated experiences. Her TEDx talk, keynotes, custom workshops, and media appearances have made her a trusted voice in reimagining wellness.
Blending humor, warmth, and clinical wisdom with actionable strategy, Esther inspires clarity, connection, and the courage necessary for leaders, clinicians, and communities to create cultures of care where people can thrive without self-abandonment.
My Signature Topics
Self-Care is a Scam - Why what you've been sold about self-care is failing you—and what actually works.
Pace, Pause, Pivot - Strategies to sustain ambition without sacrificing sanity or joy
Laziness is a Lie - Redefining our perspectives on productivity and progress through the lens of empathic distress.
Aesthetics as Alchemy - Designing experiences and spaces that nurture and transform emotional wellness.
Leading While Healing - Navigating visibility, vulnerability, and emotionally intelligent leadership.
The Burden of Brilliance - Addressing the invisible emotional labor of high-achieving leaders of color.
“Esther was nothing shy of amazing.
I highly recommend her to any organization that wants to invest in the well-being of its people.”
— Tajuana Selby, Vonage
TEDxTalk
In her first TED Talk, Esther examines our modern obsession with productivity and deeply held ideas of laziness and self-worth. Through personal story, cultural reference, and a deep dive into our psychology, she offers a gentler and more effective approach to a life well-lived.
“Securing Esther Boykin as a keynote for the Systemic Family Therapy Conference was a truly outstanding choice.
Her message resonated deeply with our attendees, leaving them inspired and equipped with invaluable insights.”
— Melanie Gibson, COO, American Association for Marital & Family Therapy
Signature Topics
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Strategies to sustain ambition without sacrificing sanity or joy
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Why what you've been sold about self-care is failing you—and what actually works.
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Addressing the invisible emotional labor of high-achieving leaders of color.
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Navigating visibility, vulnerability, and emotionally intelligent leadership.
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Designing experiences and spaces that nurture and transform emotional wellness.
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Exploring the intersection of empathic distress, compassion fatigue, and racial inequity for therapists and healthcare providers.
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Why culturally-rooted wellness approaches are essential for true liberation, community care, and collective healing.
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Why devotion to yourself is more effective than rigid discipline. Redefining success by prioritizing purpose, presence, and self-compassion.
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Redefining our perspectives on productivity and progress through the lens of empathic distress.
“Esther came highly recommended, and she did not disappoint! She facilitated a workshop that everyone could relate to and gave us tools we can all use daily.
What stood out to me was her ability to create an atmosphere that encouraged us to consider who we are, not just what we do.”
— Tanisha Rodriquez, Director of Diversity, Deluxe Media Inc.
Today Show with Hoda & Jenna
Esther is available as a television and podcast guest in addition to providing inspiring keynotes, transformative workshops, and more.
Group Practice Owner Summit
Stepping into the Spotlight: Working with Media to Grow Your Private Practice
July 2022
37th Annual Commencement Speech
Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling
June 6, 2021
