We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Stone recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.
Yes, there was a defining moment in my career that significantly shaped its direction. It began with a simple desire to connect with my children and evolved into a realization that would transform my professional focus.
At the time, my children were playing the online game RuneScape. Wanting to understand their interests and join their world, I created an account and began playing. While I initially struggled to navigate the game, I discovered a safe area where players gathered feathers, bones, and meat for their quests. I set up a small business within the game, collecting and selling these items to other players, and soon became known as “the chicken lady.” This role, while seemingly small, allowed me to connect with my children in a meaningful way – they saw my effort to engage with their world, and it strengthened our bond.
This experience opened my eyes to the power of entering someone else’s world, not only to understand them better but also to connect in ways that are deeply meaningful. I realized that the same principle could be applied to my work as a psychologist and play therapist. Just as I had stepped into my children’s world to learn and connect, I began to see the importance of using digital tools in therapy to meet clients where they are -to speak their language, accept their culture, and welcome their interests.
That simple yet profound experience laid the foundation for my eventual focus on integrating technology into therapy. It was a pivotal moment that inspired me to explore how digital tools could appropriately and ethically enhance therapeutic relationships and outcomes. What began as a playful effort to connect with my children ultimately reshaped my approach to therapy, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, connection, and meeting people in their world.
Jessica, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hello, I am Dr. Jessica Stone, a psychologist, executive coach, author, and advocate for innovation at the intersection of psychology, technology, and human connection. My journey into this field has been anything but conventional, but it’s this unconventional path that has shaped the breadth and depth of my work today.
Therapy Work
I began my career as a clinical psychologist with a focus on child and family therapies, particularly play therapy. Over the years, I’ve specialized in the appropriate and ethical integration of technology into therapeutic practices, most notably through the development of Digital Play Therapy(TM). This includes co-creating the Virtual Sandtray®©, a digital adaptation of a traditional therapeutic tool designed to make this traditional intervention more accessible and relevant in our modern world.
In my therapeutic work, I focus on helping clients navigate challenges by speaking their language. This might mean incorporating digital tools, games, or creative mediums to foster connection and self-expression. I also work with neurodivergent individuals and those managing anxiety, depression, or trauma, drawing on decades of experience to provide compassionate, personalized care. My goal in therapy is to help clients better understand themselves, process their experiences, and build the skills they need to thrive.
Executive Coaching
In addition to therapy, I provide executive coaching services tailored to high-functioning professionals, leaders, and teams. My coaching work often addresses what I call the “sticky zone” – that nuanced space where coaching and psychology intersect. I support neurodivergent leaders and their teams, helping them leverage their unique strengths and navigate challenges with clarity and confidence. I also guide ambitious professionals who want to uncover and remove the barriers that hold them back, whether those barriers are related to executive function, leadership dynamics, or personal growth.
What sets my coaching apart is its integrative approach. I incorporate principles of psychology, neuropsychology, and leadership development to create a customized experience for each client. Coaching with me is not just about achieving professional goals -it’s about addressing the whole person, their emotional and cognitive patterns, and the ways these influence their leadership, decision-making, and relationships. I also serve as a resource for other coaches, providing consultations to help them feel confident in referring complex cases or managing the boundaries between coaching and therapy.
Innovation and Leadership in Technology
Beyond therapy and coaching, I’ve served as the Chief Psychology Officer (CPO) for tech companies, where I’ve informed all aspects of product development with a focus on creating tools that prioritize user well-being, accessibility, and meaningful engagement. My expertise allows me to consult with companies seeking to integrate psychological insights into their products and services, ensuring they are effective, ethical, and aligned with human-centered and accessible design principles.
As a speaker and presenter, I regularly provide keynotes and workshops at conferences, sharing my expertise on topics like the intersection of psychology and technology, neurodivergence, and the future of mental health tools. My presentations are designed to inspire, inform, and equip audiences with practical strategies to navigate this rapidly evolving space.
What Sets Me Apart
What connects all facets of my work – therapy, coaching, and consulting – is a commitment to innovation, personalization, and meeting people where they are. I’ve been a pioneer in integrating technology into psychology, authoring, editing, and contributing to 44 books and articles to date, many of which focus on the responsible use of digital tools in mental health and play therapy. Whether I’m helping a client process trauma through a digital medium, guiding a leader to better manage a neurodiverse team, or consulting on a groundbreaking tech product, my approach is always rooted in curiosity, creativity, and compassion.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I am most proud of my ability to adapt and grow to meet the needs of my clients and the field at large. From co-creating tools like the Virtual Sandtray to mentoring other professionals and collaborating with tech companies on meaningful innovations, my work has always been about creating bridges – between tradition and innovation, between challenges and solutions, and between people and their fullest potential.
What I Want You to Know
If anyone is considering working with me, here’s what I hope they will take away: I’m here to help you move forward in ways that honor your unique experiences and goals. Whether you’re seeking therapy, coaching, or consulting, my focus is on embracing the whole person – your strengths, your struggles, and your aspirations – to create transformational change.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Some of this feels repetitive, but it may be helpful to have it in each place. What has helped me build my reputation within my market is a combination of authenticity, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. At the core, I believe it’s my willingness to explore unconventional paths and embrace new ideas while staying grounded in strong ethical principles and evidence-based practices.
First, I’ve always been intentional about staying ahead of the curve, particularly in integrating technology into psychology. My work on Digital Play Therapy(TM), co-creating the Virtual Sandtray®©, founding the MHVR (Mental Health Virtual Reality) – International Coalition, and writing extensively on the responsible use of digital tools in mental health and play therapy has positioned me as a thought leader in this niche. By focusing on the intersection of psychology and technology, I’ve been able to offer solutions that are both cutting-edge and practical.
Second, my ability to connect with people on a deeply human level has been instrumental. Whether it’s a client in therapy, an executive seeking coaching, or a company looking to develop psychologically informed products, I approach each relationship with curiosity, respect, and a genuine desire to help. My work prioritizes meeting people where they are and speaking their language, which builds trust and fosters meaningful change.
Third, my extensive contributions to the field, including authoring, editing, or contributing to 44 books and articles, have established my credibility. I’ve also been intentional about sharing my expertise through keynote presentations, workshops, supervision, and consultation. These efforts have allowed me to reach broader audiences and demonstrate my commitment to advancing both knowledge and practice in psychology and executive coaching.
Finally, what sets me apart is my unique positioning in the “sticky zone” where psychology and coaching overlap, as well as a specialty in neurodivergence. By helping clients navigate complex challenges that fall between traditional coaching and therapy, I’ve carved out a niche that resonates with individuals and organizations looking for depth, expertise, and actionable solutions.
I believe my reputation has been built on the foundation of pioneering work, a strengths-based approach to human connection, and a dedication to solving problems creatively and effectively. By staying authentic to my values and continually adapting to meet the needs of my clients and the market, I’ve been able to establish myself as a trusted leader in my field.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Other than training and knowledge, the most critical factor for succeeding in this field is cultivating an openness to learning and an intentional focus on truly hearing, seeing, accepting, and understanding those you are working with. This work – whether in therapy, coaching, or consulting – is fundamentally relational. Success comes not just from what you know, but from how you connect.
Being open to learning means acknowledging that you’ll never “arrive” at complete understanding. Each client, leader, or team brings a unique story, perspective, and set of needs. By remaining curious and humble, you create space for growth – for yourself and for those you work with. This openness allows you to adapt and tailor your approach to each individual or situation, making your work not just effective but transformative.
Hearing and seeing those you work with is about presence and attention. It’s about actively listening to what is said – and what isn’t – and observing the subtleties of behavior, communication, and emotion. This attentiveness helps uncover the deeper needs and strengths that may not always be obvious on the surface.
Acceptance and understanding go hand in hand. To truly help someone, you have to meet them where they are, without judgment. This doesn’t mean you agree with or condone every action or belief but rather that you respect their experiences and perspectives as valid. Acceptance builds trust, which is the foundation of meaningful work.
Ultimately, what sets great professionals apart in this field is not just their expertise but their ability to create spaces where clients feel seen, heard, and valued. It’s in these spaces that people can grow, explore, and discover solutions to their challenges. For me, this mindset is not just helpful, it is essential.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jessicastonephd.com/; https://stonecoaching.works/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-stone-phd/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/stone-executive-coaching/?viewAsMember=true
Image Credits
Book: Routledge, Sweatshirt: Digital Play Therapy(TM), Tray: Virtual Sandtray®©, Headshot: Tanya Pearce