Psychodynamic Therapy
insight oriented psychotherapy
located in downtown birmingham, michigan + virtual sessions across michigan
I specialize in psychodynamic psychotherapy — an approach that helps you understand the emotional patterns formed early in life that continue to influence your relationships, self-worth, and decision-making today.
We won’t just manage symptoms.
We’ll examine the underlying emotional logic driving them.
Therapy with me is thoughtful, direct, and grounded. This work is for people who are ready to go beneath the surface and create lasting change.
I work with adults in Birmingham and surrounding communities including Bloomfield Hills, Royal Oak, and Troy. I also provide virtual sessions across the State of Michigan.
Depth over quick fixes.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is centered on understanding the underlying emotional structures that shape your current experience.
Rather than focusing only on symptom reduction, we examine:
Repeating themes in your life
Internal conflicts
Early attachment experiences
The ways you relate to others — and to yourself
Through consistent, reflective work, insight develops. And with insight, change becomes possible.
This process is thoughtful, collaborative, and depth-oriented. It requires curiosity and a willingness to explore what may not yet be fully conscious.
An approach that goes
beneath the surface.
Clients come to me when
You’re capable, thoughtful, and self-aware — but still feel stuck. Clients often reach out when they notice patterns in their lives that seem automatic or difficult to shift, including:
Feeling anxious or reactive in ways you can’t fully explain
Repeating emotional or behavioral cycles despite knowing better
Persistent self-doubt or low self-esteem that doesn’t match your achievements
Feeling “stuck” or unsettled despite external success
Experiencing tension, indecision, or inner conflict that interferes with daily life
If you’re ready to understand the patterns quietly shaping your thoughts, feelings, and choices, psychodynamic therapy can provide insight and lasting change.
My Therapy Specialties
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Many of the women I work with are capable and accomplished, yet privately struggle with self-doubt or a fragile sense of self.
Self-esteem concerns are rarely about confidence alone. They are often rooted in early relational experiences and internalized expectations that quietly shape how you see yourself.
In our work, we explore the deeper origins of perfectionism, self-criticism, and over-functioning. Rather than offering surface-level reassurance, we focus on developing a more stable, cohesive sense of identity — one that is not dependent on performance or external validation.
This is depth-oriented work that strengthens self-trust from the inside out.
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Many women I work with maintain demanding careers and full lives while privately managing persistent anxiety.
This anxiety may appear as overthinking, perfectionism, emotional intensity, or a constant sense of pressure to perform. Often, it is rooted in deeper internal expectations and early relational dynamics that shaped how safety and worth were experienced.
Rather than focusing solely on coping strategies, our work examines the emotional structures sustaining anxiety. As insight develops, the need to over-manage gradually softens.
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You may notice recurring themes in how you relate to others — over-functioning, difficulty tolerating distance, heightened sensitivity, or discomfort with vulnerability.
These patterns are rarely accidental. They are shaped by early attachment experiences and tend to operate automatically in adulthood.
Through psychodynamic exploration, we bring these relational templates into awareness. With greater understanding, new ways of relating become possible — more grounded, more intentional, and less reactive.
Meet Jessica
My path into the mental health field is both professional and personal. As a teenager, I experienced anxiety and depression — challenges that led me to psychotherapy and, ultimately, to a deeper understanding of how profoundly early emotional experiences shape our internal lives.
Therapy was not simply a set of tools. It was an opportunity to understand the underlying dynamics influencing how I felt, related, and interpreted the world. That experience continues to inform my work today, grounding it in both empathy and respect for the complexity of psychological change.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Gender Studies from Indiana University and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health from Wayne State University. My clinical training spans both adolescent and adult settings, including outpatient and inpatient care, where I developed a strong foundation in psychodynamic, cognitive, and relational treatment models.
Over time, my work has increasingly centered on insight-oriented psychotherapy with adults. I am particularly interested in how early attachment experiences, internalized expectations, and unconscious patterns shape identity, anxiety, and relational functioning.
Outside of my clinical work, I remain engaged in advocacy efforts related to mental health awareness, human rights, and animal welfare.
Learn about my services
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Your journey is unique, and so is the support you deserve. Individual therapy offers a one-on-one space for you to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Whether you’re seeking relief from emotional pain, clarity in decision-making, or personal growth, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
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Experience therapy in a private, welcoming environment designed to make you feel comfortable and supported. My office is conveniently located in Downtown Birmingham with flexible scheduling options to fit your routine.
Telehealth
Life can be busy, and sometimes making it to an office isn’t possible. With telehealth, you can access therapy from the comfort of your home—or wherever you feel most at ease. All you need is a secure internet connection and a device with a camera.
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Taking care of your mental health is an investment in yourself and your well-being. I strive to make the process as transparent and accessible as possible so you can focus on what truly matters—your growth and healing.
Session Fees
My fee is $200 per 50-minute session. Payment is due at the time of service via credit card, HSA, or FSA.
I am an out-of-network provider and do not bill insurance directly. If you have a PPO plan, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement — I provide a monthly superbill you can submit to your insurance company. I recommend calling the member services number on your insurance card and asking about your out-of-network mental health benefits before we meet.
I offer a free 15-minute consultation to see if we're a good fit. Reach out to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The first step is a free 15-minute consultation by phone or email. This is a chance for you to share what's bringing you to therapy, ask any questions you have, and get a sense of whether working together feels like a good fit. Reach out at contact@jessicashermanlpc.com or (248) 496-8908 to schedule.
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The first session is an opportunity for me to learn more about you — what's brought you to therapy, your history, and what you're hoping to understand or change. It's also a chance for you to get a sense of how I work. There's no pressure to share everything at once. We'll move at a pace that feels right for you.
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Psychodynamic therapy is depth-oriented work, and meaningful change takes time. Most clients meet weekly, at least initially. Some people work with me for several months; others continue for a year or more. We'll talk regularly about your progress and what feels right for where you are.
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My fee is $200 per 50-minute session, due at the time of service via credit card, HSA, or FSA. I am an out-of-network provider and do not bill insurance directly. If you have a PPO plan, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement — I provide a monthly superbill you can submit to your insurance company. I recommend calling the member services number on your insurance card and asking about your out-of-network mental health benefits before we meet.
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Psychodynamic therapy focuses on understanding the deeper emotional patterns, early experiences, and unconscious beliefs that shape how you feel and relate to others. Rather than primarily teaching coping skills or challenging thought patterns — as CBT does — psychodynamic work asks why those patterns developed in the first place. The goal is lasting insight and change, not just symptom management. That said, I draw on multiple approaches when useful, and our work together will be tailored to you.
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Yes. I offer virtual sessions across the state of Michigan for clients who prefer to meet remotely or whose schedule makes in-person sessions difficult. In-person sessions are available at my office in downtown Birmingham.
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Many of my clients come to therapy for the first time as adults. There's no prior experience required — only a willingness to explore. The consultation call is a low-pressure way to ask questions and get a feel for what the process is like before committing to anything.
Meaningful change begins with understanding what has quietly shaped you.
