Miarah Jones
Hi! I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) based in the Bay Area of California. I earned my MSW from Simmons University in Boston, MA, and have been practicing for the past seven years. My approach is compassionate, client-centered, and rooted in evidence-based practices, including CBT, play therapy, and trauma-informed care.
My approach is compassionate, client-centered, and rooted in evidence-based practices, including CBT, play therapy, and trauma-informed care.
I strive to create a safe and supportive space where clients can explore their emotions, develop coping skills, and build resilience for long-term well-being.
First session
In the first session, clients can expect a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment where we begin building a foundation for our work together. I take time to get to know each client, exploring their concerns, goals, and what led them to seek therapy. For children and adolescents, I engage them in age-appropriate discussions or activities to help them feel comfortable. We will review important aspects such as confidentiality, therapy structure, and what to expect moving forward. I ask questions to better understand the client’s history, strengths, and challenges while ensuring they feel heard and validated. This session is also an opportunity for clients (and parents, if applicable) to ask questions and share any preferences or concerns about the therapy process. My goal is for clients to leave the first session feeling safe, understood, and hopeful about their journey ahead.
Strengths
My greatest strengths as a provider lie in my ability to create a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel safe to express themselves. I have a strong ability to connect with clients, helping them feel comfortable and engaged in the therapeutic process. My strengths-based perspective allows me to empower clients by highlighting their resilience and capabilities, fostering confidence and growth. Additionally, my deep understanding of trauma and mental health challenges enables me to provide compassionate, insightful guidance while equipping clients with practical tools for lasting change.
Ideal clients
I am best positioned to serve children, adolescents, and young adults who are navigating challenges related to anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. My expertise in CBT, play therapy, and trauma-informed care allows me to support clients in developing emotional regulation skills, building resilience, and fostering self-awareness. I work well with individuals who may struggle with self-esteem, peer relationships, family dynamics, and coping with stress. I create a warm, supportive environment where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts and emotions at their own pace. Whether working with young children through play or helping teens and young adults reframe unhelpful thought patterns, I tailor my approach to meet each client’s unique needs. My goal is to empower clients with the tools and confidence to navigate their world with greater ease and self-assurance.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I am certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for depression and anxiety through the Beck Institute. In my practice, I use CBT to help individuals systematically identify and evaluate unhelpful thought patterns, implement evidence-based strategies to reframe cognition and modify behaviors, and develop sustainable coping mechanisms to support long-term progress. Through structured exercises and collaborative goal-setting, I guide clients in building resilience and achieving meaningful change.
Play Therapy
I use play therapy as a powerful tool to help children and adults express their thoughts and emotions in a way that feels natural and safe for them. Through play, children can process their experiences, develop problem-solving skills, and build emotional resilience. I create a warm, supportive environment where they can explore their feelings using toys, art, storytelling, and imaginative play.
Trauma-Informed Care
I am trained in trauma-informed care, and I prioritize creating a safe, supportive environment where individuals feel heard, validated, and empowered in their healing journey. In my practice, I use a trauma-informed lens to ensure that therapy is not re-traumatizing but instead fosters resilience and self-awareness. This involves recognizing the signs of trauma, helping clients regulate their nervous system, and using techniques that promote safety and trust. I integrate evidence-based approaches like CBT, mindfulness, and grounding techniques to help clients process their experiences at a pace that feels comfortable for them. My goal is to create a space where clients can heal at their own pace, with compassion and understanding.
Psychodynamic
I integrate psychodynamic principles into my practice by exploring how past experiences, unconscious patterns, and early relationships shape my clients' thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By gaining insight into these underlying influences, clients can better understand recurring challenges and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.I help clients identify and process deep-seated emotions, defense mechanisms, and unresolved conflicts that may be impacting their present lives. While I incorporate structured, goal-oriented approaches like CBT, I also create space for deeper reflection and self-exploration. By balancing insight-oriented work with practical strategies, I support clients in achieving meaningful, lasting change.
Strength-Based
I integrate a strengths-based approach in my practice by helping clients identify and build upon their existing strengths, resilience, and capabilities. Rather than focusing solely on challenges, I emphasize what is already working and how those strengths can be leveraged to promote growth and healing.
Location
Virtual sessions