Dr. Jessica Hilbert, Psy.D.

Psychologist

Understanding the different aspects of yourself — and what they need

IFS Relational Couples
Dr. Jessica Hilbert, Psy.D. — Therapist at Therapy Group of DC
Trained At
Malachite Institute for Behavioral Health seal
Malachite Institute for Behavioral Health
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology seal
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Sarah Lawrence College seal
Sarah Lawrence College


Specialties
Anxiety & StressDepressionGrief & LossTraumaLife TransitionsRelationships
Self-EsteemDiversity & Cultural Identity
Works With
AdultsIndividualsCouples
Approach
IFSRelationalIntegrative
Availability
Accepting New Clients In-Person & Telehealth

About Dr. Hilbert

If you’re carrying something heavy — grief, anxiety, a relationship that feels stuck, or a version of yourself you’ve outgrown — I want you to know that you don’t have to sort through it alone. My work is built on one core belief: that real change starts when you feel genuinely safe enough to be honest about what’s going on inside.

Most of the people I work with aren’t looking for someone to hand them a checklist. They want to be heard. They want someone who’s curious about their story — not just their symptoms — and who’s willing to sit with them through the hard parts without rushing toward a fix. That’s the kind of therapist I am.

“I believe you already have what you need to heal. My job is to help you access it — and trust it.”

Jessica Hilbert, Psy.D., Therapist DC

My Approach

I draw heavily on Internal Family Systems (IFS), which is a way of understanding the different parts of yourself — the anxious part, the critical part, the part that shuts down — not as problems to eliminate, but as parts of you that are trying to protect you in the best way they know how. When we get curious about those parts instead of fighting them, things start to shift.
I also bring a relational lens to our work, which means I pay close attention to what’s happening between us in the room. The way you show up in therapy often mirrors patterns in your life, and noticing that together can be incredibly powerful.

Interested in working with Dr. Hilbert?

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For couples, I focus on helping you actually hear each other — not just trade complaints. Whether you’re navigating conflict, a life transition, or a growing distance you can’t explain, I’ll help you slow down enough to understand what’s really happening underneath the surface.
I also have extensive training in psychological assessment — neuropsychological, personality, and intellectual testing — which gives me a deeper understanding of how people’s minds work. That background shapes how I listen, even in sessions where formal testing isn’t part of the picture.
If you’re someone who wants a therapist who will be warm, curious, and direct — who won’t just nod along but also won’t push you faster than you’re ready to go — I’d love to talk with you about working together.

Educational Background

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Psychology Malachite Institute for Behavioral Health
Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Pre-Doctoral Internship in Professional Psychology The Chicago School Community Consortium
B.A. in Psychology & Dance Sarah Lawrence College

Common Questions


I’ll start by asking what brought you here — not just the surface-level version, but what’s really been weighing on you. There’s no pressure to have it all figured out. A lot of people come in and say, “I don’t even know where to start,” and that’s completely fine. My goal in that first session is to understand your world a little better and to make sure you leave feeling like this could actually help. I’ll share a bit about how I work, and we’ll figure out together whether we’re a good fit.


IFS is based on the idea that your mind is made up of different parts — and that each one has a role. You might have a part that’s anxious, a part that’s a perfectionist, a part that numbs out. Instead of trying to silence those parts, we get curious about them. Why are they there? What are they protecting you from? Once those parts feel understood, they tend to relax — and the version of you that’s calm, clear, and compassionate gets more room to lead. It sounds unusual at first, but most people find it clicks pretty quickly once we start.


I help couples slow down enough to actually hear what’s underneath the arguments. A lot of the time, fights about chores or schedules are really about feeling unseen, unappreciated, or disconnected. I’ll help you each understand your own patterns — and your partner’s — so you can start responding to each other instead of just reacting. Sessions are collaborative, and I’ll be direct when I notice something important happening between you.


Yes — I see clients both in-person at our Dupont Circle office and via secure telehealth. Many of my clients use a mix of both depending on their schedule. Telehealth works well for individual sessions, and I’m happy to discuss what format makes the most sense for you when we connect.



Ready — or still deciding?

Either way, we’ll make it easy. Get started with Dr. Hilbert directly, or tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll help you find the right fit. Takes a few minutes — no commitment.



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