Jessika Holmes
Life can feel overwhelming, especially during major transitions or when anxiety, depression, trauma, imposter syndrome, or low self-esteem start to take hold. If you’re an adult woman (18+) feeling stuck or weighed down, you don’t have to navigate it alone. I’m here to support you in creating meaningful change, breaking patterns that no longer serve you, and building greater self-compassion.
Having navigated my own life challenges, I bring a grounded and relatable presence that helps women feel comfortable opening up and sharing their experiences.
Together, we’ll explore what’s contributing to your stress, develop tools to manage anxiety, and work toward a sense of balance that aligns with your values and goals. My approach is rooted in meeting you where you are and helping you move forward with clarity, confidence, and renewed strength.
First session
Your first session—often called an intake session—is a welcoming space where we begin building our connection. I understand that starting therapy can feel like a big step, so my goal is to make the process feel as comfortable, supportive, and grounded as possible. During this session, you’ll have the opportunity to share what brought you to therapy and what you’re hoping to gain from our work together. We’ll gently explore areas such as relationships, career, family, and important life experiences—not to label or judge, but to better understand your unique story. We’ll also talk about any previous therapy experiences and coping strategies you’ve tried, while beginning to clarify your goals for treatment. This time is focused on building trust and creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where you feel heard and supported. It’s also an opportunity for us to determine whether we’re a good fit for working together. Feeling nervous is completely normal, and you’re always welcome to share any questions or concerns along the way. By the end of the session, we’ll have a clearer understanding of your needs and begin developing a collaborative plan moving forward—at a pace that feels right for you.
Strengths
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is the authenticity and empathy I bring to each session. I strive to create a space where clients feel genuinely seen, heard, and understood—a safe, supportive environment where vulnerability is met with compassion rather than judgment. Having navigated my own life challenges, I bring a grounded and relatable presence that helps clients feel comfortable opening up and sharing their experiences. I take an individualized approach to therapy, drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems, mindfulness-based practices, Interpersonal Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy to meet each client’s unique needs. My goal is to help clients recognize and shift unhelpful thought patterns, develop greater self-compassion, and reconnect with their inner strengths so they can move forward with clarity and confidence. Above all, I believe in the power of a collaborative and trusting therapeutic relationship. I balance validation with gentle guidance, supporting clients as they navigate current challenges while also working toward long-term growth. By fostering self-awareness and alignment with personal values and goals, I aim to create a therapeutic experience that is not only effective, but deeply meaningful.
Ideal clients
I work best with adult women who are navigating life transitions, relationship challenges, emotional overwhelm, or simply feeling disconnected from themselves. Many of the women I work with are accustomed to being the person everyone else relies on, often putting their own needs aside while struggling with anxiety, burnout, self-doubt, or the pressure to keep everything together. My ideal client is someone who wants to better understand herself, recognize patterns that may no longer serve her, and develop a healthier relationship with both herself and others. She may be navigating the aftermath of a difficult relationship, struggling to establish boundaries, questioning her sense of identity, or recognizing that the ways she's learned to cope are no longer supporting her emotional well-being. I especially enjoy working with women who are thoughtful, introspective, and open to exploring not just what they're experiencing, but why. You don't have to have everything figured out or even know where to begin. Sometimes, simply recognizing that something needs to change is enough. My approach focuses on helping women strengthen their emotional awareness, develop greater self-trust, recognize their own needs, and make intentional choices that align with their values. Whether you're navigating a breakup, career transition, anxiety, depression, burnout, or a season of personal growth, my goal is to provide a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where you can reconnect with yourself. Ultimately, I want the women I work with to feel more confident in who they are, more comfortable honoring their own needs, and more empowered to create a life that feels authentic, balanced, and fulfilling.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In our work together, I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into my practice to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and how these patterns influence their overall well-being. I believe that the way we interpret our experiences can significantly impact how we feel about ourselves, navigate relationships, and respond to life's challenges. Together, we explore recurring thought patterns, underlying beliefs, and behaviors that may contribute to anxiety, depression, self-doubt, perfectionism, or emotional overwhelm. Rather than simply encouraging clients to "think positively," I help them develop the ability to question automatic assumptions, consider alternative perspectives, and recognize when their thoughts may not accurately reflect the circumstances they're experiencing. My goal is to help clients develop greater self-awareness, emotional flexibility, and confidence in their ability to navigate difficult situations. I emphasize that CBT isn't about dismissing emotions or forcing ourselves to see everything in a positive light, but rather learning to approach our experiences with greater balance, curiosity, and self-compassion. I often integrate CBT with IFS, mindfulness, interpersonal, and solution-focused approaches to support meaningful, sustainable change both inside and outside of therapy.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
In our work together, I incorporate Mindfulness-Based Therapy into my practice to help clients develop a greater awareness of their thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and responses to everyday experiences. I believe that when we learn to slow down and become more present with ourselves, we create opportunities to respond to life's challenges with greater intention rather than automatically reacting from a place of stress, fear, or emotional overwhelm. Together, we explore how emotions show up in both the mind and body, identify patterns that contribute to anxiety, rumination, and emotional distress, and practice strategies that support nervous system regulation and emotional balance. Depending on each client's needs, this may include grounding techniques, intentional breathing, body awareness, self-compassion, and learning to observe thoughts without immediately accepting them as facts. My goal is not to help clients eliminate uncomfortable emotions or maintain a constant state of calm, but rather to strengthen their ability to navigate difficult experiences with greater awareness, flexibility, and compassion toward themselves. I often integrate mindfulness with CBT, IFS, interpersonal, and solution-focused approaches to help clients develop practical skills that support their emotional well-being both inside and outside of therapy.
Interpersonal
In our work together,I incorporate Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) into my practice to help clients better understand how their relationships, communication patterns, and interactions with others influence their emotional well-being. Our relationships can be a meaningful source of connection and support, but they can also contribute to stress, anxiety, self-doubt, and emotional exhaustion, particularly when we struggle to identify or communicate our own needs. Together, we explore recurring relationship patterns, attachment experiences, interpersonal boundaries, and the ways clients navigate conflict, expectations, and life transitions. I help clients develop greater awareness of how they show up in relationships, recognize when they may be prioritizing others at the expense of their own well-being, and strengthen their ability to communicate their feelings and needs with confidence and compassion. My goal is to help clients build healthier, more balanced relationships while maintaining a strong sense of self. I believe meaningful interpersonal growth isn't about changing or controlling others, but rather understanding ourselves, recognizing what is within our control, and making intentional choices that support our emotional well-being. I often integrate interpersonal approaches with CBT, IFS, mindfulness, and other therapeutic techniques to support both personal growth and healthier connections with others.
Solution-Focused Brief Treatment
In our work together, I incorporate Solution-Focused Therapy into my practice to help clients recognize their existing strengths, identify what is within their control, and take meaningful steps toward the changes they want to see in their lives. While understanding past experiences and challenges can be valuable, I also believe it's important to explore what's working, what clients want to be different, and how they can build upon the resources and abilities they already possess. Together, we focus on identifying realistic goals, exploring possibilities, and developing practical strategies that align with each client's individual needs and values. I encourage clients to recognize their progress, even in small moments, and approach challenges with greater confidence, flexibility, and self-compassion. My goal is to help clients feel empowered in their ability to create positive change without becoming overwhelmed by everything they feel needs to be resolved at once. I often integrate Solution-Focused Therapy with CBT, mindfulness, IFS, and other approaches to support both deeper self-understanding and practical, sustainable progress.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
In our work together, I incorporate Internal Family Systems (IFS) into my practice to help clients better understand the different parts of themselves that influence their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. IFS is based on the understanding that we all have different parts of ourselves, some that work to protect us, others that carry emotional wounds, and some that develop patterns of coping that may no longer serve us. Rather than viewing these parts as something that needs to be fixed or eliminated, I help clients approach them with curiosity, compassion, and understanding. Together, we explore how certain patterns may have developed in response to past experiences, what those parts are trying to communicate or protect, and how clients can begin responding to themselves in healthier, more intentional ways. My goal is to help clients develop greater self-awareness, reduce internal conflict, strengthen emotional regulation, and build a more compassionate relationship with themselves. I often integrate IFS with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and other therapeutic approaches to create an individualized experience that supports meaningful, lasting change.
Location
Virtual sessions
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- OhioLicense I.1901987-SUPV