Dr. Jessica Jones
Offering private couples therapy intensives in Arlington, Virginia
Virginia Psychologist: # 0810005512
Personally Speaking
I’ve dedicated my career to helping people give value and importance to their own lived experience. Our past shapes how we see ourselves, others, and the world. And when two people bring their histories, hopes, and hurts into a relationship, it creates something entirely unique. That uniqueness can be beautiful—but it can also become difficult over time.
In the early stages, you may have bonded over shared interests and experiences. But later, differences begin to emerge. When conflict arises, you may even question whether you’re with the right person. It’s not unusual to feel exhausted, uncertain, or stuck. I understand how disorienting that can be.
Some therapists shy away from couples who seem deeply incompatible. I don’t. I celebrate the challenge and beauty of working with two genuine, differentiated people who want to build something together. I see incompatibility not as a red flag, but often as an invitation toward growth.
When we better understand our own emotional landscape—when we cultivate curiosity toward ourselves and our partner—we become more capable of communicating what we need and receiving the love that’s offered to us. I enjoy working with people who are curious. Curiosity softens defenses, creates space for understanding, and supports the growth mindset couples need to thrive.
Your story matters. Your pain matters. And so does your capacity for change.
In my early career, I worked in Job Corps and community counseling, supporting adults, children, and families. I’ve provided postpartum support, worked with children carrying psychiatric diagnoses, and served as a special education English teacher and testing coordinator in a psychiatric setting for teens. What those experiences taught me is this: it’s not always the intervention that makes the difference—it’s the connection.
People want to be seen. They want to be heard. They want to feel safe enough to explore what hurts.
Working in community health showed me the enormous strength people carry within them. When we create space for honest connection, change can be massive.
I grew up in a small town in upstate New York. It was the kind of place where people had known each other since kindergarten—except my family had moved there when I was four. I had supportive teachers and long-lasting friendships. Still, as a person of color in a mostly white community, I felt the lack of racial diversity. That shaped me. It gave me sensitivity to difference and the desire to create space where all people can feel deeply seen.
I’m often described as calm and thoughtful. I choose my words with care. I listen intuitively—not just with my ears, but with my full presence. Clients often tell me they feel truly heard. There’s no greater gift we can offer one another.
As a mother, I bring that same attention to presence and connection into my home life. Whether it’s a family walk, apple picking in the fall, or messy sidewalk chalk drawings, I believe in giving kids rich sensory experiences—and a whole lot of affection and patience. These are the building blocks of secure, emotionally healthy adults.
Chocolate is my daily joy—hot cocoa, baked goods, or just straight-up chocolate bars. Brunch is my love language. I’m known for my waffles with berry compote and homemade quiche. I love creating warm, cozy meals that nourish the people I care about.
Dr. Jones offers couples a rare and powerful synthesis: the depth and nuance of psychoanalytic insight, paired with the structure and clarity of science-based approaches. She brings a calm, thoughtful presence that makes her especially well-suited to clients who are reflective, introverted, or slower to open up. Her work adds something truly special to our practice. -Dr. K
I’m often described as calm and thoughtful. I choose my words with care. I listen intuitively—not just with my ears, but with my full presence. Clients often tell me they feel truly heard. There’s no greater gift we can offer one another.
As a mother, I bring that same attention to presence and connection into my home life. Whether it’s a family walk, apple picking in the fall, or messy sidewalk chalk drawings, I believe in giving kids rich sensory experiences—and a whole lot of affection and patience. These are the building blocks of secure, emotionally healthy adults.
Chocolate is my daily joy—hot cocoa, baked goods, or just straight-up chocolate bars. Brunch is my love language. I’m known for my waffles with berry compote and homemade quiche. I love creating warm, cozy meals that nourish the people I care about.
Yoga became a deeper part of my life through my work in maternal mental health. It grounds me, connects me to my body, and gives me space to release tension I may be holding—something I believe everyone needs, especially after becoming a parent. Breathing with intention has been one of the most healing gifts I’ve received, and I pass that on to my clients whenever I can.
I also love reading, writing, and podcasts—especially those that explore human behavior. My curiosity is never-ending, and I bring that energy into the therapy room. This work isn’t just what I do. It’s also what I love.
I only recently learned to ride a bike—in my 30s. There’s a strange humility in learning something that others assume you already know. It reminded me that growth is always possible, no matter when or how we begin.
My office in Arlington is spacious and calming, with blue walls, a large window, and sunlight filtering through the trees. There’s a baby changing table because I believe therapy should be family-friendly and welcoming to parents. I chose this space carefully—for comfort, for privacy, and to feel like a home away from home. It has separate entrances and exits, and it’s easily accessible by metro, with a neighborhood feel that connects you to both city and stillness.
Professionally, I’m a member of the American Psychological Association. I’ve trained at the Washington School of Psychiatry and the Washington Center for Psychoanalysis. I value lifelong learning and thoughtful mentorship, and I bring those values into every client relationship.
I’ve pursued advanced training in several approaches that inform the way I work with couples. I’ve advanced training in the Gottman Method and the Developmental Model. I’m also listed as a provider in the Discernment Counseling directory, which allows me to support couples who are unsure about staying together and need space to explore that honestly.
I invite you to join me in Arlington, Virginia for your private couples therapy retreat. If you’re ready to invest in your relationship, I’ll meet you where you are—with clarity, curiosity, and respect.
