We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stephanie Jones. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stephanie below.

Alright, Stephanie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

If I had to choose one of the kindest things anyone has ever done for me, it would be believing in me. I have been blessed with the most loving family that champion me on my journey. However, the person who has supported me the most along the way is my mom. Since I can remember, my mom has been there to demonstrate unconditional positive regard at its finest. When I experienced innumerable obstacles on my path to prosperity and could have taken them as signs to turn around, she’d encourage me to stay – and stayed there with me. She has always known that I wanted to become a mental health therapist, but when I told her I was ready to take the leap from medical social work to pursue my dream career full-time, I was met with acceptance and support like any other time. My mom is a lighthouse who selflessly encourages people to be the greatest version of themselves they can be.

Stephanie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and moved to Saint Louis, Missouri to attend college at Maryville University of Saint Louis. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to pursue a career within the helping professions, and as an emotion-focused person, being a mental health therapist felt like a perfect fit profession to pursue. I graduated with my BA in Psychology and Sociology and continued on to pursue my MSW at Saint Louis University. As a social worker, most of my career was spent in several medical hospitals in Saint Louis and surrounding areas. I also spent some time working in the school setting with children and adolescents. In both settings, I was met with opportunities to provide social work services to meet the social needs of individuals and their families, which included crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and other resources for mental health support. The knowledge and skills that I gained from those experiences helped me become a psychotherapist and now, the owner of Heart Space Therapy and Wellness.

I founded Heart Space Therapy and Wellness to serve as a therapeutic place for intentional heart healing. I offer individual therapy and work with an array of issues, but my main clinical interests are anxiety, women’s health issues, complex and chronic health conditions, and grief and loss. I believe establishing positive relationships lights a path toward healing that is right for each and every client I work with. I am committed to being in this with my clients, to help them feel seen, heard, and understood. I am here to help clients feel comfortable as they share the thoughts that they’ve been afraid to say aloud. I am here to help people find a new way forward.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Being on social media and networking have, by far, been the most effective strategies for growing my clientele. Naturally, I am a person who is more comfortable with being inconspicuous. However, I am so proud of who I am and who I am becoming. As I evolve, I am learning the importance of truly walking in my purpose, which means daring to share it authentically and out loud.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

One thing that has helped me the most with succeeding in this field is being genuine, comforting, and relatable. The reality that therapists actually care about their clients, and deeply, is of such great importance to me. It is such an honor to foster a non-judgmental and supportive space for other people so they can better understand themselves and what they want or need.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heartspacetherapyandwellness.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartspacetherapyandwellness