WELCOME
It can be a difficult decision to start therapy or seek a different perspective from a new provider. Finding the right therapist to work with is critical to making the most of therapy. I hope that the information provided here will help you determine if I might be a good fit to help you make changes toward living a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
I provide individual and group therapy, working with motivated individuals who have a wide variety of concerns across areas such as relationships, mood, career, and identity. I specialize in working with individuals who have experienced traumatic life events. Additionally, my therapy dog, Fish Sticks, provides comfort and unconditional positive companionship in sessions. Regardless of what brings you in, I strive to provide a warm, nonjudgemental, and collaborative experience driven by whatever your goals might be.
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While my office is located in Washington, D.C., I am approved to provide teletherapy in every U.S. state that is a part of PSYPACT.
SERVICES
I work primarily with adults 18 years and older on a wide variety of clinical issues. I offer individual and group therapy approaches and specialize in trauma-focused treatment.
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
I strive to create a warm, collaborative relationship in which we work together to address the concerns that have brought you to therapy. I have experience working with individuals across all phases of life, ranging from first year undergraduate students to retired Vietnam veterans. My clients come from diverse backgrounds and I have worked with individuals from different races and ethnicities, sexual orientations, religions, and countries of origin. While I work with a wide variety of presenting concerns, I specialize in working on:
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life transitions
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identity development (including gender and sexual identity)
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problematic relationships
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work/life balance
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anxiety
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trauma (please see the "Trauma-Focused Therapy" section below)
Therapy is a highly personalized experience that differs for each individual, but I draw on evidence-based approaches across clients. I have had comprehensive training in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and humanistic, interpersonal, and psychodynamic theories. I integrate and utilize each of these theories as a foundation for my work. I believe that these approaches used within the context of a strong, positive relationship can facilitate long-lasting, meaningful change in your life.
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TRAUMA-FOCUSED THERAPY
For individuals who have experienced trauma, entering therapy can be particularly intimidating and overwhelming. It can feel impossible or dangerous to face the trauma and to share your story with another person. I hope to create a safe space where we can process your experiences in order to turn them into a part of your story, rather than an experience that defines you and negatively impacts so many aspects of your life.
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In addition to the therapeutic approaches listed in the 'Individual Therapy' section above, I have training and experience using cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and prolonged exposure therapy (PE), trauma-specific approaches. I have worked with a wide variety of trauma survivors ranging from individuals who experienced childhood sexual abuse to extensive work with active duty and veteran populations. We will work together to identify how trauma is impacting you and will determine your targets for therapy, which may include anxiety, nightmares, difficulty in relationships, flashbacks, or feeling constantly "on guard" among other things. From there, we will create a personalized treatment plan to help you feel secure and in control of your treatment and your life.
ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY
Research has shown that interactions with therapy animals lower blood pressure and stress hormones, ease symptoms of depression and anxiety, and can help people engage more fully in their treatment. Therapy animals, especially dogs, can sense physiological changes during anxiety or panic episodes and provide grounding through their physical presence. This tactile connection helps interrupt the escalation of PTSD symptoms and brings people back to the present moment during flashbacks or dissociative episodes.
Fish Sticks the therapy dog often joins sessions in the office to provide comfort and grounding. Though he's young, Fish is a calm and gentle presence with extensive training. He was raised and trained by Katie Weibel at Appalachian Dog Training. Katie is a U.S. Navy veteran who has dedicated more than two decades to raising and training dogs. Fish has earned his AKC Canine Good Citizen title, a certification that demonstrates his reliability, obedience, and ability to behave well in various public settings. He has also achieved his Novice Trick Dog title, further exemplifying his intelligence and trainability. When he's not working, Fish loves destroying his toys, playing fetch, and burying himself in the snow whenever possible.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Therapy can be a difficult and daunting undertaking. Exploring painful topics and working to make changes in your life can be exhausting. Though therapy is not always easy or fun, a strong relationship between therapist and client can make the process significantly better. My relationship and connection with each client is a top priority, and I emphasize creating a comfortable and safe environment. I attempt to approach therapy with nonjudgmental curiosity about your experiences. Additionally, I strive to be genuine and authentic in sessions, incorporating humor and warmth. I see therapy as a place to examine your life, to challenge problematic beliefs and habits, and to implement change in order to improve. My job is to facilitate these processes using my expertise, while providing a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental setting. We will work together to determine how we can achieve your goals.
The best way to determine what therapy will be like is to schedule an initial consultation. I offer a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation to help you decide if you would like to schedule an in-person meeting. During this consultation, I will ask you about what brings you to therapy and you can ask any questions you might have. While the phone consultation can provide information for both of us, it can sometimes take a few meetings to get to know one another. After several initial sessions, I will check in with you to discuss if you believe I am the right provider for you. If I am not, I will be more than happy to provide appropriate referrals to other trusted providers in the community. If you would like to continue to work together, I welcome ongoing feedback and open communication about ways to strengthen our relationship and improve the therapeutic process.
ABOUT ME
I am a native of Washington, DC, born and raised in the city limits. After high school, I attended Cornell University where I graduated with distinction from the Human Development program. Following my undergraduate education, I completed a two-year post-baccalaureate fellowship at the National Institute of Mental Health, studying treatments for mood and anxiety disorders under Dr. Daniel Pine, MD, chief of the Section on Development and Affective Neuroscience.
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I received my doctorate in Medical and Clinical Psychology from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD. While there, my research focused on emotion regulation in the contexts of suicide and addiction. My clinical training included four years of intensive training and practice in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) at the Wake Kendall Group and trauma-focused work at the Washington DC VA Medical Center in the Trauma Services Program. I completed my doctoral internship at the Catholic University of America's Counseling Center.
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In my free time, I love to travel, peruse home design websites, read, watch foreign TV and movies, and continue to explore DC and the surrounding areas.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW MUCH DOES THERAPY COST?
The fee for a 50-minute session is $250. Payment is due at the time of service and may be paid by cash, check, or credit card. I typically meet with clients once a week.
DO YOU ACCEPT INSURANCE?
I am an "out-of-network" provider. Being out-of-network allows me to minimize the amount of confidential information I am required to disclose to your insurance company and helps me to protect your privacy. Most insurance companies will cover a large part of the cost of my services. I can provide you with monthly documentation of services provided for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement. I strongly recommend contacting your insurance company prior to beginning therapy to investigate their coverage of out-of-network services.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CONTACT YOU?
The best way to schedule an initial phone consultation is to use the form below or to email me at jessmacintyrephd@gmail.com. It is challenging for me to answer or return phone calls for much of the day, so email is the fastest and most effective way to reach me.
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Please be aware that there may be risks to privacy and limits to the confidentiality of e-mail and other communications transmitted electronically. E-mail is not a confidential form of communication, nor is it an appropriate medium for urgent or emergency messages. In case of emergency, please call your local emergency response services.
WHERE DO YOU SEE CLIENTS?
My office is located in Dupont Circle ​in Washington, D.C. and all in-person sessions are held there. The address and map are below.
I am also able to offer teletherapy in 41 other states including: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
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DO I HAVE TO WORK WITH THE THERAPY DOG?
No. Every client I see in my office has the opportunity to work with Fish Sticks but it is not required and may not be appropriate in some circumstances (e.g. allergies, fear of dogs, respiratory concerns, etc.). Although Fish is in my office most days, he can stay in his place throughout sessions with clients who prefer not to interact with him. In most sessions, Fish provides an enthusiastic greeting and then naps quietly.​
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CONTACT ME
My office space is located on Dupont Circle at 1350 Connecticut Ave NW. It is on top of the southern exit of the Dupont Circle Metro station (Red line). There are also several conveniently located parking garages in the area if you plan to drive.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or to set up an initial consultation. You can also reach me at jessmacintyrephd@gmail.com.