Hi, I'm Melissa Jones!

M.Ed, LPC-Associate 
(Supervised by Robyn Reyna, LPC-S, RPT-S)

I could tell you all about me, my family, my farm, my former life as a teacher, and my years as a foster parent, but YOU are who's really important here! Think of me as your personal behavioral translator. After all, all behavior is simply a form of communication, and when broken down, tends to make sense. I want to help you and your child make sense of thoughts, actions, anxieties, and behaviors. I'm here to help you and your child regain control and ease the emotional burdens.

Through play therapy, sand tray therapy, sensory integration, and other non-traditional techniques, I aim to engage clients in developmentally appropriate ways. Therapy really can be fun, even for teens! 

I work with children ages 4+, teens, and parents. My specialty areas are:

- Trauma
- Anxiety
- Adoption
- Autism

- Parenting Skills
- Behavioral Concerns
- Emotional Dysregulation

Parents, you might prefer to be anywhere but therapy. I get that!

Just know we can get through this together. You are just as important as your kid in the therapy process. I spend a good amount of time supporting parents and caregivers in developing effective parenting skills, guidance on strategies, and encouragement to help navigate the challenges of raising children. Let's reduce stress and pave the way for positive change together.

FAQs

  • Let's schedule a free 15 minute consultation so we can learn more about each other. Just fill in the information on our website.

  • "Therapy is a way for kids to talk about their feelings and thoughts through play. Instead of using just words, you get to use toys, games, and art to show what's going on inside your heart and mind. The play therapist is like a friend who helps you express yourself and understand your emotions better. It's a special time just for you to play and learn how to work through hard things."

  • Honestly, not much. The terms "therapy" and "counseling" are often used interchangeably, and their meanings can overlap. Therapy is a broader term that encompasses various forms of treatment for mental, emotional, or behavioral issues, while counseling implies a more focused, problem-solving approach to specific issues or challenges. Professionals providing therapy may include psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists (like here at GAC), and licensed clinical social workers. Counselors often hold titles such as licensed professional counselors (also here at GAC), marriage and family therapists, school counselors, or career counselors.

  • We are a private pay practice. The short to explanation as to "Why?" is because insurance companies require a diagnosis when sometimes one is not medically necessary, billing insurance limits confidentiality, insurance controls how many sessions you are allotted, AND they determine what modalities of treatment are covered which may not be suitable for your needs. With private pay, we can create a customized treatment plan specifically catered to you and your needs. We are happy to provide a superbill for you to file with your insurance company, although there is no guarantee of coverage.

  • If you are seeking services for your child, the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) will join the child during the first session. This is our time to get to know each other, go over confidentiality and informed consent, how therapy is conducted, discuss the reason for services, and create treatment goals.

  • We are in Aledo, directly off the access road between 1187 and Ranch House Road on the corner of Bankhead and Nu Energy. We are the large office space in the Bearcat Storage parking lot. We can't wait for you to enjoy our space as much as we do!

    130 Nu Energy Drive
    Aledo, TX 76008

  • If you are unable to attend a session, you may cancel at least 24 hours beforehand with no charge. Cancellations within 24 hours of the appointment are charged the full session rate.