Meet Jessica Bolden, MA, LPC-S, CST

Whenever someone asks me why I became a therapist, I often joke that when reading “Dear Abby” growing up, I had always been more fascinated with people’s questions and problems than with Abby’s responses. The ever-changing field of human psychology and the mind never ceases to amaze me, and I love the idea that people can learn and grow toward their best selves. 

Though I embarked on a career in counseling with a general interest in psychology, it became clear to me over the years that I had a particular knack for intimacy and relationships. While working at an inpatient hospital in the nineties, I was able to help a couple in crisis find their way toward a solution, which was very rewarding for me. I realized then that oftentimes, healing the self happens within the context of a healthy relationship: communication and conflict-resolution skills are vital for our success both as individuals and as beings who are wired for connection.

This newfound understanding of and appreciation for relationships led me to complete multiple training sessions at The Gottman Institute (a renowned couples counseling approach) and later become a certified sex therapist through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). And because so many mental health and relationship issues can be viewed through the lens of trauma, I have also received training in the highly effective method of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). 

Specializing In Relationships, Sex, And Unhealed Trauma

Growing up, we’re taught all kinds of things about how to be successful in life, but no one teaches us about sex and relationships. Most of us are raised with unhealthy or incomplete role models of what effective, empathetic communication looks like, and many of us lack meaningful problem-solving skills when it comes to addressing issues together. I am passionate about helping my clients foster growth and improvement in all of their relationships—especially those with their partner and themselves. 

A foundational belief of my counseling practice is that everyone has the ability to heal and grow from past wounds, allowing for more loving and fulfilling connections. Much of my understanding of relationships draws from The Gottman Method, developed by John and Julie Gottman. They emphasize the importance of friendship, empathy, and a sense of shared understanding among couples. Using the Gottman Method, I help the couples I work with to remove barriers and develop heightened intimacy, affection, and mutual respect.

Speaking of intimacy, sex is an essential aspect of all healthy relationships! As an AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist, I help both individuals and couples overcome the hurdles keeping them from maintaining a satisfying sex life. Together, in the safe and nonjudgmental space of therapy, my clients and I explore misconceptions, relationship history, and past traumas to identify core challenges and develop healthy, affirming sexual practices. Because this work is deeply personal and often related to unresolved trauma, I use the gentle approach of EMDR to help my clients regulate their nervous system, neutralize distress, and dispel negative self-beliefs. 

I am also a wife and mother of a blended family, which gives me a personal perspective on many of the issues my clients face in their own relationships. I understand the value of healthy, secured attachments because I’ve witnessed their healing qualities in my own life. And as much as I enjoy passing down my training, knowledge, and experience to my clients, I deeply value what I can learn from them, allowing my practice to be an ever-evolving one.

An Honest, Empathetic, And Joyful Approach To Therapy

Clients often comment on my bold yet nonjudgmental personality—I’m sharp, perceptive, funny, and a little bit blunt sometimes. There are few things a client could say that would shock or offend me, and it’s very important in my practice that everyone feels accepted and comfortable under my care. 

Not to mention, making the decision to come to therapy can be a hard one! I do everything I can to champion my clients’ vulnerability and tailor the therapeutic process to meet their specific emotional, psychological, and relational needs. 

Fostering Connection In And Outside Of My Work

Many years were spent raising kids, working, and volunteering in my community, so I’ve really enjoyed slowing down recently and developing a new pace of life. Trading in childrearing tasks for empty-nester activities, my husband and I now spend lots of time traveling, seeing live sports and music, and going to the lake on the weekends. 

When I’m not working, I love to exercise or get lost in a good book. And while I love having the companionship of our pets, nothing beats having my kids home for a visit! My relationships are so incredibly precious to me—a fact that translates beyond my personal life and into my therapeutic practice. 

True Healing Happens In Securely Attached Relationships

Jessica Bolden, MA, LPC-S, CST is a professional counselor serving clients in the state of Texas. Through the lens of trauma and relationships, Jessica treats individuals and couples from diverse backgrounds. She is trained in couples counseling through The Gottman Institute, EMDR through the Parnell Institute, and is one of few AASECT-Certified Sex Therapists in the Fort Worth area. 

To find out more, email Jessica or call 817-887-8157 for a free, 15-minute consultation.