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Simply put, feel better.
Compassionate and expert care for insomnia, anxiety & pregnancy and postpartum concerns
I am a clinical psychologist who specializes in both cognitive behavioral therapy (including CBT-I for insomnia) and maternal mental health. I treat adults of all ages with insomnia and anxiety disorders, as well as pregnancy- and postpartum-related concerns, including postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and OCD. I am licensed in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Vermont.
Hi! I'm Dr. Ilana Jackson, a clinical psychologist in Baltimore.
SPECIALTIES
Anxiety
Feeling anxious sometimes is completely normal, but it can become a problem if it's out of proportion or if it's getting in the way of you living the life you want to live. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a proven, effective treatment for anxiety.
Through CBT, you will gain a good understanding of how your anxiety affects you and create a set of personalized strategies that you can use with confidence. These strategies generally include examining and reshaping your anxious thoughts, along with behavioral tools such as reducing avoidance and gradually facing fears.
Insomnia
Getting regular, good-quality sleep is vital for your physical and mental health. If you have chronic problems falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) can help.
CBT-I is a short-term, effective treatment and is the first-line treatment recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. It combines behavioral strategies (such as stimulus control and sleep restriction) with cognitive therapy.
Maternal
Mental Health
Pregnancy and the first year postpartum can be incredibly challenging times. You may be navigating major physical, emotional, and identity changes while adjusting to new responsibilities and expectations. It's completely normal to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or not always happy during this period.
Having someone to listen, validate your experiences, and understand the social and cultural forces you're facing can help you feel less alone and make all the difference in how you navigate this time. Therapy is a judgment-free space to process emotions, adjust to your changing identity, and develop coping strategies so that you feel better sooner.
MY TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY
Effective & Evidence-based
My treatment approach is grounded in evidence-based therapies that have strong research support. I primarily use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which has been well-documented to be effective for anxiety, postpartum depression, among many other mental health concerns. CBT focuses on identifying and changing patterns of thinking, emotions, and behaviors that interfere with your life or cause distress. We'll also work on building stronger coping skills and gaining insight into how past experiences shape how you think about and interact with the world.
Solution-focused & Pragmatic
The therapy I provide is goal-oriented and solution-focused. My aim is that you'll develop a set of tools to keep with you long after therapy ends.
Collaborative & Personalized
I will work collaboratively with you and am committed to being your partner throughout therapy. You know yourself best and are the expert on your own experience. I tailor treatment to your specific needs and am always willing to adapt my approach when needed. I also strive to practice with cultural humility and open-mindedness.
Compassionate
At the heart of my work is compassion and a genuine commitment to your health and well-being. Many clients share that they feel better after our very first session, often simply from being able to voice what's been weighing on them.
About Me
I received my doctorate in clinical psychology from Roosevelt University in Chicago and completed my last years of clinical training at a public hospital in New York City and at Chase Brexton Health Care in Baltimore, a community health center that provides specialty care to the LGBTQ community.
I obtained advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) at the University of Pennsylvania.
I am also passionate about maternal mental health, spanning from early pregnancy to one year after giving birth, and I completed the Professional Maternal Mental Health Certificate training from Postpartum Support International.
I volunteer with the Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps, the state's volunteer disaster response organization, and Sharebaby, a Baltimore organization that provides essential infant and child supplies to those in need.
I teach college and graduate courses at the University of Maryland Global Campus and previously at Roosevelt University and Notre Dame of Maryland University. I am a member of the Maryland Psychological Association.
More personally, I live in Baltimore with my husband, two kids, and dog. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, woodworking and spending time with friends.
What To Know Before We Meet
Starting Therapy
I offer telehealth therapy over a secure video platform, so you can easily fit therapy into your life.
At our first meeting, we'll discuss what's prompting you to seek therapy, explore relevant background information, and what you're hoping to gain from therapy. From there, I'll share my initial thoughts, and together we'll create a personalized plan that aligns with your goals.
I offer appointments on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 am to 3 pm, and we'll typically meet weekly or every other week, depending on your needs.
Using Your Health Insurance & My Fees
I am an in-network provider with Johns Hopkins EHP and USFHP insurance plans and Lyra Health EAP. If you have a Johns Hopkins insurance plan, you will likely be responsible for paying a copay, as determined by your insurance plan. Lyra Health typically covers therapy fees in full, with no cost to you.
If you have health coverage through any other insurance company (such as CareFirst), you may be able to use out-of-network benefits. I’m happy to handle out-of-network insurance claims on your behalf so that you can get reimbursed for therapy fees, making therapy a little more convenient and affordable. My current self-pay and out-of-network rate is $180 per session.
Payment is due at each session, whether that's your copay/deductible or the full session fee for self-pay or out-of-network benefits.
