Jane Hesser

Jane Hesser

About Specialties Fees Locations
Jane Hesser

Jane Hesser

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, LICSW

Master of Fine Arts, MFA

Not accepting new clients in Providence practice (updated November 05, 2019)

Specialties & Expertise

  • Women’s mental health
  • Peripartum depression and anxiety
  • Transitions to motherhood
  • Medical professionals' mental health
  • Artists' mental health
  • Graduate student mental health
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Insomnia
  • Infertility counseling
  • Birth trauma
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Professional statement

Jane Hesser is an expert in prenatal and postpartum depression and anxiety, including OCD as well as adjustment to motherhood. She also specializes in artists' mental health and sleep disorders, including insomnia. She enjoys working with women who are trying to conceive, adopt, or transition to motherhood as well as those who are navigating other challenges in their lives.

Jane has built her expertise in women's mental health through her extensive work in the Department of Women's Behavioral Health at Women & Infants Hospital. Her style is warm and practical, combining biological regulation such as sleep and diet, with deeper psychotherapy work. She is the regional co-coordinator for Postpartum Support International in the state of RI, teaches in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and speaks and teaches locally and nationally on the subject of perinatal mental health. Babies are always welcome in session and Jane can help connect clients with specialists in baby sleep and feeding.

Jane also enjoys seeing artists and creative professionals. She holds an MFA in Photography from The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and taught art at both RISD and Brown, bringing a deep understanding of the unique pressures and forces at play for artists.

Jane appreciates the complexity of women's lives at all stages and takes an honest, holistic approach to therapy. She has devoted her career to supporting women's emotional health, and wishes to learn and share her experience as much as possible in both her teaching and clinical practice.

Message to clients

Finding a therapist who you feel really comfortable with can be tricky. We all want to feel like the person we are opening up to really understands what we are going through, is trustworthy and helpful. Building that kind of relationship starts with what can be an anxiety provoking first visit. I understand that and always start with a warm phone call so you can hear my voice, know who you will be meeting with and what to expect. I also encourage all women seeking therapy to interview me and others in order to find a good fit, as this is so central to helpful therapy. I look forward to hearing from you and starting that process.
For new mothers: Becoming a mother is one of the most transforming experiences women have in our lives. This is equally true for all mothers- those who give birth and those who adopt our children. It is a time of real vulnerability and also a time when we discover strengths we never knew we had. Memories may return with power. Our relationships change. We gain so much and yet we lose things as well. We have so many expectations of ourselves and others expect so much of us. Our feelings are so intense. It's complicated. Therapy can be very helpful when women are feeling well. It can support a woman in being the mother she wants to be and in negotiating the shifting roles and relationships that come with new motherhood.
When women do not feel well during pregnancy, postpartum, or otherwise in the transition to motherhood, it is important to visit experienced professionals who can help to figure out what is happening and what is likely to help the most, the fastest.

Specialties

Women’s mental health - Takes into consideration ways that women's hormones, reproductive cycle changes, and life experiences as well as cultural or societal expectations may impact their emotional heath

Peripartum depression and anxiety - Navigating complex emotions and the transition to parenthood during pregnancy and the postpartum period

Transitions to motherhood - Addressing issues specific to women during the postpartum period, including postpartum depression and anxiety

Medical professionals' mental health - Support navigating work-related expectations and stress; addressing issues of burnout, hierarchical pressures, and vicarious trauma

Artists' mental health - Understanding of highly creative minds; goal setting related to the artistic and creative process; support finding meaningful balance in one’s life

Graduate student mental health - Specialized strategies for common issues of young adulthood, including school and career stressors, support around healthy relationships, existential concerns, drug or alcohol issues, eating disorders, and anxiety and/or depression

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Using exposure and response prevention to help clients confront OCD, e.g. concern with and/or fear of germs and becoming 'contaminated.' Note: postpartum OCD may not involve previously mentioned symptoms, and may involve intrusive scary thoughts

Insomnia - Addressing problems related to lack of restful sleep, including difficulty falling asleep, waking often, and restless sleep

Infertility counseling - Experience working with infertility, pregnancy loss, perinatal psychology (mental health issues while pregnant), and peripartum / postpartum depression

Birth trauma - Works with individuals and families struggling with implications of birth trauma

General expertise

Insurance

Out-of-pocket fees

  • Ongoing sessions: $150 (45min)
  • Sliding scale: $100 - $150
  • Initial session: $175 (60min)

Therapist's note

Jane is out-of-network with most other insurances. She is happy to provide you with paperwork to make it as easy as possible to use your out-of-network benefits.

Location(s)

Providence practice

534 Angell Street

Providence, RI 02906

Hours
  • Mon Closed
  • Tue 8:00am-4:00pm
  • Wed 8:00am-4:00pm
  • Thu 8:00am-4:00pm
  • Fri Closed
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Work and Education

Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Psychotherapy Supervisor in the Psychiatry Residency, 2017 - Present

Women & Infants Hospital, Women's Behavioral Health, 2011 - 2018

Center for Integrated Health, Psychological Centers, 2010

Bristol County Adult Partial Hospital Program, Community Counseling, 2009 - 2011

Languages

  • English
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