Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Unaka Jones-Thomas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Unaka, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I started my career in mental health in 2004 working for several different managed care facilities. I felt fulfilled with the services being provided within the facilities. However, I started to notice many of these facilities seem to focus more on quantity and not quality care. I also noticed working class clients/patients didn’t frequent these facilities and when they would, they didn’t seem to return. I started having conversations with these clients/patients and most of them stated they didn’t return because they didn’t like the environment of the facilities and didn’t feel they were receiving quality care.

I also had conversations with individuals outside of the facilities that struggled with mental illness. I was informed “there is no place for us to go, so we tend to discontinue medication and we do not take advantage of therapy.” I learned there weren’t many agencies for the working class.” The lower income population had managed care facilities and the higher-class population could afford to pay for care wherever desired; but the working class struggled to find quality care. This is why I went into the private practice sector, I wanted to provide quality care for the working class in a comfortable environment.

Unaka, 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?

I’ve always been the person many people would confide in, even as a child I remember friends talking to me about their feelings. I’ve always been a good listener and enjoyed helping people with whatever issues they may have. I remember having a conversation with God one day and making a promise to positively effect and change as many lives as he would allow. From that day forward I worked very hard on building The Recovery Room Therapy Services, PLLC.

The Recovery Room is all about life – your life, and the mending, healing, and consoling it will need as you journey through it. Your recovery and is here. Your remedy is in this safe space!

I hold a Master’s in counseling, Master’s in Business Administration with a specialization in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution. I also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. I have worked as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) since 2006, providing services in private practice, family preservation programs, early childhood programs, Mental Health and Mental Retardation (MHMR), college/school, and many other settings. With almost 20 years of experience in these arenas, my expertise stretches over a broad spectrum including but not limited to: individual therapy, group therapy, behavior modification, emotional difficulties, family concerns, and soul care. I have helped countless numbers of clients treat the following concerns:

Sexual Trauma
Domestic Violence (Victims)
Relational & Interpersonal Skills
Divorce/Blended Families
Parenting Education/Counseling
Anxiety/Phobias
Depression
Anger & Stress Management
Grief and Loss
Personal Growth
Sexuality Struggles
Academic Concerns
Behavioral Concerns in Children (ADHD, ODD, Conduct Disorder, etc.)
Abandonement

This all comes together to enable me to deliver a personalized method designed to each of my client(s) needs and demands. My goal is to assist clients in achieving the personal development that they desire. I believe in working as a team with the client(s) with setting individual goals prior to, during, and after the close of the therapy process. This way, maximum progress is met, changes take place, and recovery is set in motion.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I have a 15 y/o son with Autism that I raised as a single parent for several of his 15 years. Because of my son’s special needs, it requires constant care. On an average week, we would have 2 to 3 speech therapy appointments; 2 to 3 occupational therapy appointments, 2 to 3 ABA sessions, and other doctor appointments as needed. Along with caring for him, I had to also manage my career as a mental health professional and work towards obtaining my license as a licensed professional counselor. With the support of family and friends I was able to obtain my licensure through testing and clinical hours. My ultimate goal was to start a private practice, which always seemed so far to reach with my other obligations and priorities. One day I decided to take a leap of faith and start my practice. I worked full time as a Patient Care Coordinator in Richardson, TX; 3 times a week I would leave my full time job and drive to Arlington, TX to provide therapy services to clients at a contracting agency. I would also see clients at the contracting agency on the weekends, along with client I would see through my practice. With lots of prayer and support, I was able to leave my full time job and only seeing clients through the contracting agency and my practice. Within 6 more months I was able to leave the contracting agency and through myself into The Recovery Room full time. 7 years later, my practice is doing well and providing quality care.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Mental Health is my purpose and passion in life, so I’ve always known I wanted to serve in that industry. I also knew the industry was not lucrative, which was ok because my focus was on fulfilling my passion and purpose. Prior to starting my practice, I decided to work on obtaining a MBA; in which I was successful in accomplishing. Once I received my MBA, there were so many different avenues I could have taken that would provide more financial compensation. After a frustrating day of working in managed care, I decided I wanted to go another route and revamp my career path. I left the social service industry and entered Corporate America. The money was great but I was miserable and feeling unfulfilled. I worked in Corporate America for 6 months before deciding it wasn’t for me. I went back to the social services industry, with less pay but more rewards. I was back in my element for year but I started to miss the money and the company I worked was repeatedly asking me to come back and they were willing to change some things to make me happier. I went back to Corporate America for 1 year before realizing yet again, this was not for me and it wasn’t in line with what my passion and purpose was….Mental Health, so here I am today.

Contact Info:

• Website: myrecoveryroom.org
• Other: Office: 469.608.9667