In the affluent suburbs north of Atlanta, a growing number of high-achieving professionals are seeking therapy that goes beyond the limitations of insurance-covered sessions. Jessica Bassett, a licensed marriage and family therapist, has built her practice around this demand, offering specialized relationship counseling that prioritizes depth and customization over quick fixes.
The Intentional Relationship, Jessica’s private practice in Cumming, Georgia, provides a concierge approach to therapy. This model allows for longer sessions, specialized treatment methods, and the flexibility to address complex relationship dynamics.
“Relationships don’t thrive by accident — they thrive on purpose. I help people show up with clarity and intention,” says Jessica, who holds advanced training in the Gottman Method, a research-based approach to couples therapy developed by psychologists John and Julie Gottman.
The practice, which was recently voted Best of Georgia 2024 for Mental Health & Therapy Practices, serves individuals and couples throughout the metro Atlanta area. Jessica’s approach emphasizes emotional connection and communication skills, particularly for couples navigating trust issues or feeling disconnected despite outward success.
“I tell couples: conflict isn’t the problem — it’s disconnection. We work on repairing that first,” Jessica explains. This philosophy underlies her work with couples who often arrive at therapy after years of surface-level attempts to fix their relationships.
The decision to operate outside insurance networks reflects a broader trend in mental health care, where therapists are increasingly choosing private pay models to provide more comprehensive care. For Jessica’s clients, the investment in specialized couples therapy represents a priority shift toward relationship health.
Beyond individual and couples sessions, the practice offers the workshop The 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work, drawing from the Gottman Institute’s framework. Jessica has also developed original resources, including therapy workbooks and conversation guides designed to extend the therapeutic work beyond office visits.
“I’ve sat with couples on the brink of divorce, and I’ve watched them turn toward each other with hope. That’s why I do what I do,” Jessica shares, reflecting on her experience working with couples in crisis.
Client feedback underscores the impact of this intentional approach. One couple from Alpharetta shared their experience: “Jessica’s guidance was a game changer for our marriage. She didn’t just help us communicate better — she helped us understand why we kept missing each other emotionally and how to reconnect in new ways.”
The practice also serves individual adults navigating life transitions, anxiety, and questions of purpose — common concerns among high-achieving professionals who may excel in their careers while struggling in their personal relationships. Jessica’s direct communication style resonates particularly well with clients accustomed to straightforward business environments.
“It’s not about agreeing on everything. It’s about learning how to stay emotionally connected even when you don’t,” Jessica notes, describing a core principle of her therapeutic approach.
Located in Vickery Village, the practice has become a resource not only for clients but also for emerging therapists. Jessica provides clinical supervision for interns and associate licensed clinicians, extending her influence on the next generation of relationship therapists in Georgia.
As demand for specialized mental health services continues to grow, practices like The Intentional Relationship represent a shift toward more personalized, intensive therapeutic interventions. For couples and individuals willing to invest in deeper work, this model offers an alternative to the constraints of traditional insurance-based therapy, promising more tailored care and potentially more lasting results.