Dr. Jessica Zinder, Ph.D.

Dr. Jessica is a Licensed Psychologist and owner of Healing Gardens LLC, in Annapolis, Maryland, and earned her
Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology (specialization in Health Psychology) from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2006. Her research explored the effects of spirituality on health. She has worked as psychotherapist at various college counseling & community mental health centers, as well as the Dept. of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and the Traumatic Brain Injury Unit at VCU Health System's Medical College of Virginia. Dr. Jessica integrates Interpersonal Process Theory with Psychodynamic and Feminist Theory creating a collaborative and supportive relationship with clients to help facilitate positive change.  She assists clients in utilizing personal strengths and resilience to heal, transform relationships, and attain wellness. Dr. Jessica is generalist trained, and has expertise in a variety of areas, including anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem issues, grief and loss, sexual and gender identity, phobias, stress management, sleep hygiene, parenting skills, relationship issues, couple's issues, career transitions, women's issues, personality disorders, and adjustment to life stressors etc.. A unique professional path was create when Dr. Jessica became a Master Gardener through the University of Maryland.  This expanded her love of nature, and understanding of its connection to wellness. For the past 18 years, Dr. Jessica has been a founder, leader, and consultant for volunteer-based community gardens. She founded and led the Arnold Youth Garden Program, integrating mindfulness meditation and native gardening. Through these experiences, Dr. Jessica has learned creative ways to integrate nature and gardening into the therapeutic process. She founded Healing Gardens LLC in 2025. Additionally, she founded and leads The Green Women of Maryland, an environmental & wellness group.

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