A woman with long, wavy reddish-brown hair, wearing an olive green shirt, smiling and standing against a plain light-colored wall.

About Dr. Jessica Grove

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Grove is a clinical psychologist with training and expertise in health and medical psychology. She received her doctorate in psychology from Regent University and went on to complete an APA accredited fellowship at VCU Health System in clinical health psychology. Through her work she has helped patients with a wide variety of health concerns, including chronic pain, sleep disorders, epilepsy, perinatal anxiety and depression, obesity, solid organ transplant, and cancer.

We’re here to help.

If you’re facing a new or chronic health condition, it’s common to feel overwhelmed, down, or alone. VAHMP is passionate about helping people learn to live meaningful lives and improve how they manage their condition. By addressing the emotional and behavioral elements of your health, you can not only increase your functioning with your diagnosis but also feel more confident and hopeful along the way!

But what exactly is health psychology?

Your health is about more than just your biology! Emotions, behaviors, and social environment play a big role in physical health. For example:

  • You have high levels of stress, anxiety, or depression due to pain that has not improved with multiple treatments, surgeries, or medication

  • Living with your autoimmune disorder makes you feel like you have to skip out on get-togethers or hobbies to manage your symptoms

  • When you’re stressed, your pain starts flaring up or your IBS gets worse

  • You’re working to lower your A1C, but when you’re around friends and family, you can’t help but eat things that work against that goal

  • Your high blood pressure, headaches, or pain is caused or made worse by stressful events going on in your life

Treatment that only focuses on your biology is missing a big piece of the puzzle. A health psychologist uses psychological principles to improve your functioning with a chronic condition, address underlying causes of symptoms, or help you cope better. It works alongside other healthcare professionals to improve outcomes and put you back in the driver’s seat of your health.