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Therapists. Matchmakers. Partners in Life

We’ve built a marriage rooted in the same insight we bring to you.

Start Your Match

Therapists. Matchmakers. Partners In Life.

We’ve built a marriage rooted in the same insight we bring to you.

Start Your Match

Meet the Team

We didn’t just study relationships — we built one. And that shapes everything we do.

Erica Epstein, LMFT

Chief Designer of Meaningful Relationships

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with 10+ years helping individuals and couples break cycles and build meaningful love. As a wife, mother, and therapist, Erica brings warmth, insight, and lived experience to every match.

Eric Epstein, Esq., LMFT

Chief Insight Strategist

Attorney, mediator, and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with 30+ years guiding couples through conflict and connection. Eric blends legal clarity with therapeutic depth to help singles choose love that lasts.

Gil Epstein, CFT

Chief Mind-Body Readiness Coach

Certified Fitness Trainer, nutrition coach, and therapist-in-training who helps clients build confidence, resilience, and emotional readiness. Gil bridges the mind–body connection so singles can fully show up for love.

Ziggy Epstein

Chief Emotional Support Snuggler

Our resident goldendoodle brings comfort, calm, and unconditional love. Ziggy reminds us that sometimes the best connection starts with presence (and a paw on your lap).

Why Therapist-Led Matchmaking Matters

We didn’t just study relationships — we built one. And that shapes everything we do.

We’re Erica and Eric, licensed marriage and family therapists and the founders of Matched by Design, a therapist-led matchmaking service. As partners in life, marriage, and practice, we’ve spent years helping couples grow, reconnect, and rebuild — and now we help singles find love that lasts.

That’s why we built Matched by Design, a therapist-led matchmaking service that combines everything we’ve learned in life and in practice to help emotionally ready individuals build lasting love.

We’ve spent thousands of hours working with countless couples in the therapy room — some falling apart, others learning how to stay together — and we’ve lived that work ourselves. As parents to a child with a disability, we know how life can stretch a relationship to its edges.

We’ve also seen what keeps couples steady: shared values, trust, and emotional attunement. These foundations don’t just hold love together; they help it thrive. That insight is at the heart of our work in therapist-led matchmaking, guiding how we help singles create lasting love.

Love doesn’t thrive by accident. It’s built, layer by layer, on values and relational skills that carry two people through real life. That’s the foundation of our therapist-led matchmaking approach at Matched by Design.

Where do you want to meet someone new?

Our matchmakers are introducing singles across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia

200+

Cities Covered

2M+

First Dates

3000+

5 Star Reviews

Why Therapist-Led Matchmaking Matters

We’ve spent thousands of hours in the therapy room—seeing couples fall apart, reconnect, and rebuild. That work taught us what keeps love steady: trust, emotional safety, and the ability to repair when life gets hard. That’s why Matched by Design isn’t about swipes or chance. It’s therapist-led matchmaking built on readiness, values, and skills that last.

Insight

Clinical wisdom from thousands of hours in the therapy room.

Intention

Every match is designed with emotional readiness in mind.

Integrity

We guide with honesty, confidentiality, and compassion

Therapist Matched

We're Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists who've spent years helping couples build lasting connections. We bring that same depth to every match.

Clinical Insight

As a married couple, we understand that lasting love isn't built on a highlight reel — it's built on how you repair, stay open, and stay connected.

Clinical Insight

We use clinical frameworks and emotional insight to design connections with true long-term potential. Compatibility is a process, not guesswork.

If you’re emotionally ready, we’re prepared to match you.
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Your Matchmakers

Erica Epstein, LMFT

Chief Designer of Meaningful Relationships

I’ve always been drawn to the heart of human connection — to the spaces where people long to be seen, heard, and accepted without judgment. For years, I nurtured that calling as a teacher and early childhood director, working closely with families, mothers, and children as they navigated life’s daily demands and deeper challenges.

But even as I supported others, something in me knew there was more — a deeper way I could serve. It took years of personal exploration, parenting, and professional growth to arrive at what I now know is my true passion: helping individuals and couples understand themselves, heal their relational patterns, and create lives rooted in meaning and emotional connection.

My journey from education to therapy wasn’t a pivot — it was a deepening of my understanding. Every role I’ve held, from mother and wife to teacher and therapist, has shaped how I understand people — and how I now help others find the love they truly deserve.

As a wife and mother of two young adults, I know how much women carry — the invisible labor, the emotional weight, the pressure to perform in every role. I also know how often women second-guess their worth in relationships, silencing their needs to maintain peace or earn love.

That’s why I care so deeply about how women love — and how they’re loved in return. I bring not just my clinical training, but also my lived experience as a partner, a daughter, and a woman who has done the work of unlearning, reauthoring, and reclaiming her own story.

Whether I’m sitting across from a client in therapy or guiding a matchmaking process, I’m listening for what’s unspoken. I help women recognize their patterns, articulate their needs, and stop settling for connections that compromise their peace.

Matching is sacred work — and I don’t take it lightly. It’s not about ticking off boxes or chasing sparks. It’s about helping someone choose differently, from a place of self-trust and clarity.

As a therapist, I approach matchmaking relationally. I listen for nervous system cues, emotional pacing, attachment styles, and hidden protectors. I care about how two people meet, not just that they meet. Because real compatibility starts with emotional alignment — not curated profiles.

When I match someone, I’m not just helping them find a date. I’m helping them break cycles, honor their voice, and enter a relationship that feels safe enough to grow in.

Because matching isn’t about perfection — it’s about resonance. And I’m here to help you find someone who gets you, meets you, and grows with you.

From the Classroom to the Therapy Room

I’ve always been drawn to the heart of human connection — to the spaces where people long to be seen, heard, and accepted without judgment. For years, I nurtured that calling as a teacher and early childhood director, working closely with families, mothers, and children as they navigated life’s daily demands and deeper challenges. But even as I supported others, something in me knew there was more — a deeper way I could serve. It took years of personal exploration, parenting, and professional growth to arrive at what I now know is my true passion: helping individuals and couples understand themselves, heal their relational patterns, and create lives rooted in meaning and emotional connection. My journey from education to therapy wasn’t a pivot — it was a deepening of my understanding. Every role I’ve held, from mother and wife to teacher and therapist, has shaped how I understand people — and how I now help others find the love they truly deserve.

Why I Care About How Men & Women Love

As a wife and mother of two young adults, I know how much women carry — the invisible labor, the emotional weight, the pressure to perform in every role. I also know how often women second-guess their worth in relationships, silencing their needs to maintain peace or earn love. That’s why I care so deeply about how women love — and how they’re loved in return. I bring not just my clinical training, but also my lived experience as a partner, a daughter, and a woman who has done the work of unlearning, reauthoring, and reclaiming her own story. Whether I’m sitting across from a client in therapy or guiding a matchmaking process, I’m listening for what’s unspoken. I help women recognize their patterns, articulate their needs, and stop settling for connections that compromise their peace.

My Approach to Love & Connection

Matching is sacred work — and I don’t take it lightly. It’s not about ticking off boxes or chasing sparks. It’s about helping someone choose differently, from a place of self-trust and clarity. As a therapist, I approach matchmaking relationally. I listen for nervous system cues, emotional pacing, attachment styles, and hidden protectors. I care about how two people meet, not just that they meet. Because real compatibility starts with emotional alignment — not curated profiles. When I match someone, I’m not just helping them find a date. I’m helping them break cycles, honor their voice, and enter a relationship that feels safe enough to grow in. Because matching isn’t about perfection — it’s about resonance. And I’m here to help you find someone who gets you, meets you, and grows with you.

Eric Epstein, Esq., LMFT

Chief Insight Strategist

I began my professional life in the legal world — as an attorney for over three decades, I saw firsthand how miscommunication, unmet expectations, and emotional disconnection can quietly erode even the most committed partnerships. However, what I often found lacking in the courtroom was a deeper understanding of why relationships fall apart — and, more importantly, how they could be built to last.

That curiosity led me back to school, where I earned my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. It wasn’t just a career shift — it was a calling. Today, I integrate the clarity and structure of legal thinking with the emotional depth and nuance of therapy. I help individuals and couples make sense of their patterns, communicate with purpose, and build relationships that feel safe, reciprocal, and real.

I’m not just a therapist and matchmaker — I’m also a husband and a father. I’ve been married to Erica for over 26 years, and we’re raising two teenagers together. I understand the daily work it takes to sustain love through life’s highs and lows. That lived experience informs everything I do.

In both therapy and matchmaking, I focus on helping people recognize the internal beliefs, attachment styles, and emotional habits that silently guide who they’re drawn to and how they connect. I believe that when people truly understand what they need — and why they’ve struggled to find it — they become capable of choosing differently, and more intentionally.

I take this work seriously. We’re not here to throw darts or guess who might look good on paper. That’s why I don’t rely on swipes, stats, or surface-level screening. I get to know you — not just your history, but your heart. I listen for what you’re not saying.

As a therapist-informed matchmaker, I take responsibility for aligning you with someone who is emotionally ready and relationally compatible — someone who meets you not just where you are, but where you’re growing. Because love shouldn’t be left to chance — it should be built with clarity, care, and intention.

From the Courtroom to the Therapy Room

I began my professional life in the legal world — as an attorney for over three decades, I saw firsthand how miscommunication, unmet expectations, and emotional disconnection can quietly erode even the most committed partnerships. However, what I often found lacking in the courtroom was a deeper understanding of why relationships fall apart — and, more importantly, how they could be built to last. That curiosity led me back to school, where I earned my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. It wasn’t just a career shift — it was a calling. Today, I integrate the clarity and structure of legal thinking with the emotional depth and nuance of therapy. I help individuals and couples make sense of their patterns, communicate with purpose, and build relationships that feel safe, reciprocal, and real.

Why I Care About the Way People Love

I'm not just a therapist and matchmaker — I’m also a husband and a father. I’ve been married to Erica for over 26 years, and we’re raising two teenagers together. I understand the daily work it takes to sustain love through life’s highs and lows. That lived experience informs everything I do. In both therapy and matchmaking, I focus on helping people recognize the internal beliefs, attachment styles, and emotional habits that silently guide who they’re drawn to and how they connect. I believe that when people truly understand what they need — and why they’ve struggled to find it — they become capable of choosing differently, and more intentionally.

My Matchmaking Philosophy

I take this work seriously. We’re not here to throw darts or guess who might look good on paper. That’s why I don’t rely on swipes, stats, or surface-level screening. I get to know you — not just your history, but your heart. I listen for what you’re not saying. As a therapist-informed matchmaker, I take responsibility for aligning you with someone who is emotionally ready and relationally compatible — someone who meets you not just where you are, but where you’re growing. Because love shouldn’t be left to chance — it should be built with clarity, care, and intention.

Gil Epstein, CFT

Chief Mind-Body Readiness Coach

As the Chief Mind-Body Readiness Coach at Matched by Design, I bring a unique perspective to the matchmaking process — one that connects the physical with the emotional. I help clients understand how confidence in your body and clarity in your mind are deeply intertwined when it comes to showing up for love. Whether it’s helping someone reframe self-perception or feel more grounded in their own skin, my role is about preparing you to meet connection with strength — inside and out.

I graduated with a B.S. in Criminal Justice, but my true passion has always centered around people — what drives them, what shapes them, and what holds them back. That led me to become a Certified Personal Trainer and earn additional credentials in nutrition. Along the way, I realized that what lights me up most isn’t just physical transformation — it’s witnessing someone come into alignment emotionally and physically.

Now, I’m continuing my path toward becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Nova Southeastern University. Working alongside two deeply experienced therapists (who also happen to be my parents), I’m proud to offer a generational lens on healing, growth, and connection.

I believe that emotional readiness isn’t just a mindset — it’s a whole-body experience. When you feel strong in your body, it often unlocks courage in your relationships. Whether someone is working through self-doubt, navigating insecurities, or trying to feel “ready” again after a breakup, I support clients in building confidence from the inside out.

My goal is to create a space where clients feel safe, motivated, and fully seen — not just for what they’re working on, but for who they are becoming. Through movement, mindset shifts, and mindful connection, I help people bring their full selves to the table — physically grounded, emotionally centered, and ready for lasting love.

Bridging the Mind-Body Gap

As the Chief Mind-Body Readiness Coach at Matched by Design, I bring a unique perspective to the matchmaking process — one that connects the physical with the emotional. I help clients understand how confidence in your body and clarity in your mind are deeply intertwined when it comes to showing up for love. Whether it’s helping someone reframe self-perception or feel more grounded in their own skin, my role is about preparing you to meet connection with strength — inside and out.

Why I Care About the Way People Love

I graduated with a B.S. in Criminal Justice, but my true passion has always centered around people — what drives them, what shapes them, and what holds them back. That led me to become a Certified Personal Trainer and earn additional credentials in nutrition. Along the way, I realized that what lights me up most isn’t just physical transformation — it’s witnessing someone come into alignment emotionally and physically. Now, I’m continuing my path toward becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Nova Southeastern University. Working alongside two deeply experienced therapists (who also happen to be my parents), I’m proud to offer a generational lens on healing, growth, and connection.

My Matchmaking Philosophy

I believe that emotional readiness isn’t just a mindset — it’s a whole-body experience. When you feel strong in your body, it often unlocks courage in your relationships. Whether someone is working through self-doubt, navigating insecurities, or trying to feel “ready” again after a breakup, I support clients in building confidence from the inside out. My goal is to create a space where clients feel safe, motivated, and fully seen — not just for what they’re working on, but for who they are becoming. Through movement, mindset shifts, and mindful connection, I help people bring their full selves to the table — physically grounded, emotionally centered, and ready for lasting love.

Ziggy Epstein

Chief Emotional Support Snuggler

Our resident goldendoodle and heart-stealer, Ziggy brings more than fluff to the team. With his uncanny ability to sense when someone needs comfort, a deep breath, or a dose of joy, he spreads calm energy and unconditional love wherever he roams. No credentials, no degrees — just a natural gift for grounding people with presence (and the occasional paw on your lap).

Comfort on Four Paws

Our resident goldendoodle and heart-stealer, Ziggy brings more than fluff to the team. With his uncanny ability to sense when someone needs comfort, a deep breath, or a dose of joy, he spreads calm energy and unconditional love wherever he roams. No credentials, no degrees — just a natural gift for grounding people with presence (and the occasional paw on your lap).

If you’re emotionally ready for a relationship that lasts, therapist-led matchmaking offers a more straightforward path forward — and we’re here to walk it with you.

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