Jessica (Jess) M. Petri, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist with the Anxiety and Trauma Clinic. She provides evidence-based psychotherapy for clients with concerns stemming from trauma, fear, and anxiety. Dr. Petri enjoys helping clients reclaim their lives from fear and uncertainty, by learning that they can tolerate uncomfortable thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in avoidance and compulsions.

Dr. Petri provides effective mental health treatment for the following concerns:

•  Anxiety and fear-related problems such as

  •  Social anxiety

  •  Panic attacks

  •  Specific phobias

  •  Illness anxiety

•  Traumatic stress reactions such as

  •  Posttraumatic stress disorder

  •  Avoidance of memories, situations, and unwanted emotions

  •  Nightmares

•  Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

•   Hoarding Disorder​​

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Dr. Petri’s therapeutic approach is informed by her training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and multiple exposure therapies including Prolonged Exposure (PE) for PTSD and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD and anxiety disorders.
Dr. Petri is committed to building evidence-based treatment plans guided by current scientific knowledge about what is effective for your concerns. She customizes and implements treatment together with you as a team, to ensure that it fits your individual goals and values, current circumstances, and who you are as a person. She strives to create a safe and compassionate space to feel and process emotions, as well as in-session and real-world opportunities to practice new ways of responding to thoughts and emotions that create more freedom and choices.

Dr. Petri has experience treating PTSD, anxiety, and OCD in both individual and group settings, within hospitals, clinics, and the VA Healthcare system, and with clients of diverse backgrounds. Dr. Petri completed her doctoral degree in clinical psychology at Auburn University, where she conducted research on mental health symptoms following traumatic or frightening experiences. During this time, she also completed practicum training in the assessment and treatment of PTSD at Emory University under Dr.
Barbara Rothbaum. On her internship at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center, she received advanced training in treating anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders following sexual traumas and military service. Dr. Petri completed her postdoctoral fellowship training in intensive outpatient treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders at Emory OCD & Anxiety Intensive Program under Dr. Jordan Cattie.

She is a member of the board of the International OCD Foundation and co-chair of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies special interest group focused on trauma assessment and diagnosis.
She also collaborates with Emory University and the Atlanta Behavioral Health Advocates (ABHA) to inform public policies and increase access to mental health services. Dr. Petri continues to conduct research on trauma and anxiety treatments as part of her passion for understanding and providing the most effective care.