BIGFeels NYC​
SEL Coaching
Empowering children to rise with resilience, connect with confidence, and turn big feelings into meaningful growth—for brighter futures and stronger communities.
Our Mission
Jesse Wilkinson, M.A.
BIGFeels NYC Founder & Coach,
Developmental Psychology Educator,
Social-Emotional Learning Innovator
Our Founder
Jesse brings over 15 years of dedication to the mental health field, with a rich background in clinical work, teaching, research, and program evaluation.
She completed her graduate studies in the Clinical Psychology doctoral program at Stony Brook University, specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), where she conducted academic research focused on promoting healthy family environments.
Jesse's work is rooted in evidence-based practice and guided by warmth, curiosity, and a deep belief that every child can learn the skills to thrive.
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Jesse lives in Manhattan with her partner and two rescue cats. She loves a Cape Cod off-season hike or skiing adventure in Michigan, where she is originally from. She makes a mean vegetarian chili, has an unrivaled thrift shop eye, and plays a fierce Scrabble game.
Prior to her doctoral studies, Jesse earned a B.S. in Cognitive Science from the University of Michigan and conducted research at Harvard Medical School on the connection between chronic illness and mental health. Her career has since centered on the intersection of mental health and social justice, where she has led nonprofit initiatives supporting vulnerable communities across New York City.
As a clinician, she has conducted cognitive assessments for neurodevelopmental conditions like Autism and ADHD, and holds a certificate in Teaching Mindfulness to Children. She also shares her knowledge as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at a small nursing college in NYC.
A note from Jesse
on our motivation...
The mission of BIGFeels NYC is deeply personal to me. Early in my clinical career, I faced the sudden and unexpected loss of my older sister, who was also my best friend. To heal in the aftermath of this devastation, I found myself revisiting and strengthening the very emotion regulation skills I now teach. During this time, I gained a wholehearted understanding of how crucial social-emotional skills are for maintaining resilience and living a fulfilling life—even in the face of life’s greatest obstacles. Today, it’s my personal and professional mission to help others build these essential skills.​​
My fervor for this work grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, as I witnessed young children grappling with social isolation and remote learning. This reinforced my conviction that children urgently need accessible, effective tools and support to navigate life’s toughest moments. I believe the responsibility to teach these skills cannot fall on the shoulders of school teachers or families alone, as it often does. My hope is that no child goes without the opportunity to develop essential social-emotional skills, and BIGFeels NYC exists to fill this critical need.
