Leslie Jones
Leslie Jones
(she/her)
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your thoughts and emotions or grappling with uncertainty about how to manage them? It’s entirely understandable to notice patterns in your thoughts and behaviors that no longer serve you. If you’re ready to embark on a journey of meaningful change, I’m here to walk alongside you and offer my support at every step. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS), and a Registered Electroneurodiagnostic Technician, I bring a wealth of experience from diverse clinical settings, including crisis response, detox facilities, and both individual and group therapy. My approach is compassionate and integrative, drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT). Together, we will work to understand how your thoughts and emotions influence your actions. With CBT, we can gently identify and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns that may be holding you back. MI will provide a space for you to explore and address any ambivalence about change, helping you uncover your motivation for growth. Through SFT, we will focus on your unique strengths and practical solutions that resonate with your goals. In our work together, we will explore both current challenges and past experiences to gain insight into how they shape your life today. I am deeply committed to supporting the holistic healing of your mind, body, and spirit, tailoring my approach to honor your unique journey. You don’t have to navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, or everyday stress alone. Wherever you find yourself on this path—whether you’re seeking help for the first time or returning for deeper work—you are taking a brave and vital step.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session is a chance for us to connect and begin building a strong foundation for our work together. Unlike future sessions, this initial meeting will be more exploratory—we’ll take time to review your intake information, discuss your unique experiences, and clarify any areas that may need deeper understanding. I’ll ask thoughtful questions to better assess how I can best support your mental health needs. This session is not only about gathering information—it’s also about making sure we’re a good fit. At the end of our time together, I’ll check in with you to see how you’re feeling about moving forward and whether this space feels right for you. Your comfort, trust, and sense of safety are my top priorities as we begin this journey together.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I wholeheartedly believe in seeing the person beyond the diagnosis. While a diagnosis can offer valuable insight into how your mind and body respond to life’s challenges and relationships, it is only one part of your story—not the definition of who you are. My commitment is to truly understand you—the whole, complex, and beautiful person beyond the label. I want to learn about your journey: Who were you before your symptoms emerged? What natural strengths and gifts make you unique? What activities light you up and bring you a deep sense of joy and purpose? Now, imagine for a moment that I could wave a magic wand and give you the life you’ve always dreamed of—what would that look like? What goals would you pursue? What would your days be filled with? These dreams matter. They’re a vital part of your healing and growth, and I’m here to help you explore, rediscover, and move toward them—one meaningful step at a time.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work with individuals who are ready to face life’s challenges head-on and take meaningful steps toward lasting change. When clients take ownership of their journey, transformation doesn’t just feel possible—it becomes inevitable. Progress flourishes when there’s a commitment to personal growth, and those with a forward-thinking mindset recognize that the power to improve their lives lies within. Choosing to invest in yourself is the foundation for lasting change and the gateway to a brighter, more fulfilling future.
About Leslie Jones
I identify as
Specialties
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have created a CBT 12-week program that I use to help clients with trauma, OCD, negative and intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and addiction symptoms. My 12-week program is set up using the following outline: Week 1- Identify cognitive distortions and attend weekly sessions for the first 4 weeks. Week 2- Practice labeling thought processes to have a foundational understanding of each distortion using a CBT thought log, recording the situation, automatic thoughts, and identifying cognitive distortions. Week 3- Educate the client and teach skills to challenge cognitive distortion. For example, emotional reasoning would require the client to focus solely on the facts, without allowing emotional influence. The client would continue to use the CBT thought log and add a column to record what challenge they would apply without actually applying it. Week 4- The client will review the thought log and cognitive distortions with the therapist. The therapist will reflect on each identified cognitive distortion and ask the client to reflect on three specific time frames (30 days, adolescence, and earliest memory) to help determine when the thought process was learned. The client will then begin to apply the skills learned to challenge their thought processes. They will use the CBT thought log to add a column that reflects which skill they applied, ensuring that proper skills are used in addressing cognitive distortions. The session will then transition to a biweekly format, if appropriate. Week 5 - The client will reflect on the progress made thus far and identify areas of concern to discuss and explore new skills as needed. The client will perform a body scan exercise during the session to learn how to identify stress and the body's response to emotional situations. They will be required to add a column to the CBT thought log to start connecting mind, body, and spirit for a holistic approach. Week 6- The client will reflect on the past two weeks regarding body responses. The therapist will guide the client in identifying body cues that relate to cognitive distortions, helping them understand how their mind-body-spirit connection is unique to them. The client will continue to practice all newly learned CBT skills to continue working on challenging thought processes while understanding how their body guides and alerts them. Week 7 - The client will reflect on the previous two weeks and continue to explore the connection between mind, body, and spirit related to their cognitive distortions. Week 8- The therapist will educate the client on home, work, relationship, and friendship boundaries to identify areas the client needs to address. Once the areas of boundaries are identified, the therapist will assign the client with homework to work on what changes they would like to apply to help stabilize their life. Week 9- The client will reflect on identified boundaries and the desired changes. The therapist will help the client set boundaries to achieve desired outcomes. Week 10- The client will reflect on changes made in the past two weeks regarding desired boundaries, and reflect on CBT skills applied. Week 11- The client and the therapist will reflect on the past two weeks regarding CBT skills applied and evaluate their progression based on a scaling rate. The client will share their strengths learned through the process, and share what additional areas they desire to address. Week 12- The client and the therapist will evaluate and discuss where the client continues to need progression and set up a new treatment plan for the next steps moving forward.
Christian Counseling
I have worked in faith-based, individual, and group settings, including churches, community settings, and private practices. I use this treatment method with persons struggling with addiction, trauma, low self-esteem and confidence, depression, and anxiety. I integrate evidence-based therapeutic approaches—such as Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—with biblical principles to support spiritual and emotional growth. 1. Motivational Interviewing (MI): Cultivating a Heart of Willingness MI is a collaborative, client-centered approach that helps individuals explore their ambivalence and find internal motivation to change. In Christian counseling, MI aligns with the biblical idea of free will and God’s invitation to transformation (Romans 12:2).2. Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT): Focusing on God-Given Strengths and Possibilities 2. SFT emphasizes building on strengths and envisioning a desired future rather than dwelling on problems. It fits well within a biblical framework of hope, purpose, and restoration (Jeremiah 29:11).3. 3. 3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT teaches people to identify and reframe distorted thoughts that contribute to emotional suffering. This approach is grounded in the scriptural truth of renewing the mind and taking every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Motivational Interviewing
I worked in a SAIOP program, providing group therapy sessions three days a week and individual sessions on a weekly basis. I specialize in applying Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help individuals navigate ambivalence and move toward meaningful, sustainable change. Whether in one-on-one sessions or group settings, I create a supportive, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their values, identify internal conflicts, and clarify their goals. My expertise in MI enables me to guide individuals as they navigate decisions related to substance use recovery, career transitions, or other significant life changes. By helping clients identify their motivations for change rather than imposing external solutions, I empower them to take ownership of their growth and move forward with confidence. Using evidence-based MI strategies—such as open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and strategic summarizing—I help individuals resolve ambivalence and strengthen their commitment to change. My clinical approach is both compassionate and goal-oriented, consistently supporting clients in discovering the inner motivation necessary for transformation.
Strength-Based
I integrate Strengths-Based Therapy (SBT) into my practice to help individuals recognize, reclaim, and build upon their inherent resilience and capacity for growth. Rather than focusing on pathology or deficits, I work collaboratively with clients to identify their personal strengths, lived experiences, values, and past successes—using these as the foundation for healing and progress. In both individual and group settings, I use SBT to help clients shift their perspective from “What’s wrong with me?” to “What strengths have helped me survive—and how can I use those now?” This approach is empowering, affirming, and especially effective for clients who have experienced trauma, addiction, systemic oppression, or chronic life challenges, and may struggle to see their own worth or potential. Ideal Clients for Strengths-Based Therapy in My Practice: Individuals in recovery from substance use who are learning to redefine themselves beyond addiction Clients facing major life transitions, such as divorce, career change, or reentry into the community People with a history of trauma, low self-esteem, or shame, who need help reconnecting with their inner strength and resilience Clients who feel defined by their diagnoses or life circumstances and need a restorative, affirming space to rebuild identity and purpose Through a strengths-based lens, I help clients draw from their past victories—no matter how small—and develop actionable steps that align with their goals, values, and faith. When paired with Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, this approach promotes lasting change rooted in dignity, hope, and possibility.