Licensed to practice in 3 states and accepts 34 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Suicidal Ideation and 7 more.
Essence Jones
(she/her)
Hi there! My name is Essence Jones, and I support individuals of all ages in navigating life’s many stressors—from the challenges of higher education to the often-overlooked adjustment period after graduation and beyond. I am a licensed professional counselor and art therapist who is inspired by art and creativity. I work with people who may be struggling to balance their schedules, relationships, family dynamics, and other responsibilities while trying to stay grounded in who they are. If you're feeling stuck, off-track, or uncertain about your next steps, I’m here to help you work through this chapter and reconnect with yourself along the way. If you are a parent looking for an accessible way to get your student started in therapy, please reach out! I also support clients who are coping with the difficulties of seeing loved ones experience cognitive decline.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, I’ll begin by introducing myself and sharing a bit about how I approach therapy. I’ll also take a moment to recognize the effort it took for you to book this appointment—starting therapy is a meaningful step, and it’s important to reflect on what brought you here. We’ll spend time talking through some parts of your psychosocial history, such as past experiences, current challenges, and support systems. From there, we’ll begin identifying your goals so we can shape a plan that feels supportive, intentional, and tailored to your needs. My goal is to create a space that feels safe, collaborative, and grounded in curiosity.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My greatest strengths as a provider are honesty, curiosity, and a willingness to take healthy risks in the therapeutic process. I aim to be direct yet compassionate, helping clients explore what’s true for them—even when it’s uncomfortable. I bring curiosity into our work together, asking thoughtful questions that invite reflection and deeper insight. I also support clients in stepping outside their comfort zones when needed, encouraging growth through experimentation, creativity, and action.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work best with adults navigating anxiety, depression, and feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. Many of my clients are thoughtful, self-aware, and ready for change, but find themselves overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of how to move forward. They may struggle with overthinking, emotional burnout, or a sense of being “stuck” despite wanting something different for their lives. Through art therapy, clients are able to explore their inner experiences in a way that goes beyond words. Creative expression offers a gentle and accessible way to process emotions, gain insight, and reconnect with parts of themselves that may feel distant or unclear. You don’t need to be artistic—this process is about expression, not perfection. I support clients in building emotional resilience, increasing self-awareness, and developing new ways of responding to stress and life transitions. Together, we create space for clarity, movement, and meaningful change—helping clients reconnect with a sense of purpose, direction, and possibility.
Specialties
Top specialties
Anxiety
Depression
Suicidal Ideation
Other specialties
Coping Skills
Family Conflict
Life Transitions
Racism
School Issues
Self Esteem
Women's Issues
I identify as
Black / African American
Woman
Serves ages
Adults (18 to 64)
Elders (65 and above)
Teenagers (13 to 17)
Licensed in
Idaho
Illinois
Texas
Accepts
Aetna
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Arlo
AvMed
Cash - $126 per session
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
GTEB
Golden Rule
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Surest (formerly Bind)
Tufts Health/Cigna
UMR - Advocate Aurora Health
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
As an art therapist who integrates DBT, I use creative expression to help clients practice core DBT skills like mindfulness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance. Art-making allows clients to externalize emotions and observe them nonjudgmentally, which aligns well with DBT principles. I incorporate art prompts to explore thought patterns, identify values, and strengthen coping strategies. This combination makes the work both engaging and deeply reflective, helping clients build practical skills for daily life.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
As an art therapist who incorporates CBT, I help clients identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts through both discussion and creative expression. Art-making offers a visual way to externalize and reframe negative thinking patterns, making cognitive shifts more accessible and engaging. Combining CBT with art allows clients to process experiences on both cognitive and emotional levels, supporting lasting change.
4 ratings with written reviews
June 8, 2026
Essence sees, hears and validates the process of joy, hurt, anger and sadness through transitions in my interpersonal relationships. While at the same time, she helps me move forward ; feeling empowered and motivated in this journey called life. Thank you Essence!
Verified client, age 35-44
January 13, 2026
During our first sessions Essence has shown to be a reflective listener. She allows time for my me to fully explain things, didn't rush, and provided solutions, areas to focus on, and asked great questions to allow me to reflect over the time till our next session. Excited for the journey ahead, and really hoping to gain skills to improve my interpersonal relationships, as well as learning to emotionally regulate during moments of disagreement.
Verified client, age 35-44
December 13, 2025
Essence is wonderful! She's a great listener and is always finding deeper meanings in your words that will aid in finding solutions (that you didn't even consider). Super smart, and overall a pleasant person to talk to, even if it wasn't a therapy session.