LCSW-C, 7 years of experience
New to Grow
Hi, I’m Jessi Gholami, a licensed clinical social worker in Maryland, Michigan, and Washington, DC. I earned my Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan and hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of supporting children, teens, and adults as they navigate challenges such as ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, parenting stress, and major life transitions. I like to keep therapy structured enough to give you direction, but flexible enough to meet you where you are. I pull from approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, organizational skill-building, and Internal Family Systems—but I won’t just hand you a textbook strategy. I want us to figure out what actually works for you. Our sessions aren’t just about talking; they’re about finding tools you can use in real life so you feel more confident outside of our time together. Being a parent can be both rewarding and overwhelming. As a certified PCIT therapist, I provide live-coaching positive parenting strategies to caregivers in order to boost their child’s self-esteem, attention span, parent-child attachment, prosocial behaviors, and listening and compliance. This treatment also decreases negative attention-seeking behaviors, tantrums, & aggression. At the heart of my work is a simple belief: every person has inherent worth and dignity. Life doesn’t come with a manual, families are messy, and everyone has struggles. I don’t believe therapy should come with judgment, rigid rules, or strings attached. Instead, I aim to create a space where you feel safe, understood, and equipped to grow. Patterns from the past often show up in our present—whether in relationships, families, or work. I believe healing is possible when we recognize our inner strengths, challenge unhelpful patterns, and practice skills. Outside of my work, I love hiking, swimming, baking, and walking my dog, Teddy.
Our first session will be a chance for me to get to know you—your story, your goals, and what brought you here. I’ll ask questions to understand what’s working in your life and what feels stuck. You can also ask me questions to see if my approach feels like the right fit for you. We’ll start building a plan together, and by the end of the session you’ll have a sense of what our work will look like moving forward. My goal is for you to leave feeling heard, understood, and hopeful about the path ahead.
I come to each session prepared and with a clear structure, tailored to you, so you’ll always know what to expect from day one. I’m authentic and direct—I ask questions, prompt reflection, and guide our conversations so we get to the heart of what matters. I hold accountability in a compassionate way, helping you apply the skills we work on while also addressing any barriers that come up. I explain why certain behaviors happen and why the tools we use can make a difference, bringing in psychoeducation and evidence-based approaches that help change unhealthy patterns and encourage growth. And if you ever come to a session without anything specific to talk about, I’ll bring topics based on our past conversations so our time together is always productive and meaningful.
I work with children, teens, adults, and families—and I know that every person and every story is unique. Many of the people I see are navigating anxiety, depression, Autism, or ADHD. Others come in feeling weighed down by stress, caught in a big life transition, or unsure of how to set healthy boundaries. I also love working with parents who want to feel more confident and connected with their kids, and with anyone who’s ready to explore the patterns from their past that keep showing up in their present. If you recognize yourself in any of this, you’re not alone. My job is to sit with you, really listen to your story, and help connect the dots between where you’ve been and where you want to go. Together, we’ll figure out what’s getting in the way and find tools that work.
In our work together, I often use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This approach helps you notice and accept difficult thoughts and feelings without letting them take over your life. We’ll practice skills that make space for emotions while focusing on your values—the things that matter most to you—so you can take meaningful steps toward the life you want. ACT is about building flexibility, resilience, and a sense of purpose, even when challenges show up.
I also draw from a strength-based approach, which means we focus on what’s already working well for you and build on your existing skills and resources. Instead of only looking at problems, we highlight your resilience, values, and past successes. This helps you feel more confident and capable as we work together to create positive change.
For clients who have experienced trauma, I sometimes use Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). This approach helps you understand how trauma can affect thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, while giving you tools to feel safer, manage emotions, and cope with triggers. Together, we’ll work at a pace that feels comfortable, focusing on building skills and strength as you process and heal from difficult experiences.
I often draw from an attachment-based approach, which focuses on how our early relationships shape the way we connect with others today. In therapy, we explore how past experiences may influence your current patterns, emotions, and relationships. By creating a safe and supportive space, we can strengthen your ability to build secure, healthy connections with yourself and with others.
For families, I often use Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). This approach is designed to strengthen the parent-child relationship while also improving children’s behavior. In PCIT, I coach parents in real time as they practice new skills with their child. The goal is to reduce stress at home, build confidence in parenting, and help children feel more secure, cooperative, and connected.