"Change is the essence of life. Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become."
Reinhold Niebuhr
Courtney Jones, MSW, LCSW-C, CCTP. (she/ hers)
The Work
Courtney Jones is a Board-Certified Supervisor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with over fifteen years of experience working with children, preteens, adults, and families. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a dual Master of Social Work in Management and Community Organization and Clinical Social Work, specializing in Mental Health. In addition, Courtney is nationally certified in Trauma-Focused CBT, holds Equine Partnered Facilitation certification, and is trained to administer Safe and Sound Protocol.
Courtney is particularly passionate about working with survivors of complex trauma and folks who are dually diagnosed to develop an understanding of the correlation between substance use and untreated trauma. In addition, she enjoys working with college and masters level students, athletes, parents of children with special needs, and professional caretakers (e.g., teachers, nurses, social workers, and therapists) as they navigate life's obstacles while facilitating learning around emotional regulation and emotional intelligence.
Courtney utilizes an integrative approach to mental health treatment to include the use of psychometrics in partnership with the following modalities: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Modalities, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Poloyvagal Theory, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Animal Assisted Therapy, and Person-Centered approaches to assist with symptom reduction and personal empowerment. In addition, her work with individuals and families is influenced by neuroplasticity and the brain-body connection.
Courtney has extensive experience with program development, project management, and supervision. Before opening a private practice, she built other programs, including PRP and outpatient mental health services. In addition, Courtney was awarded the Forsythia Award from the University of Maryland due to her work in inner-city schools. This work included developing peer mediation groups, which showed a reduction in office referrals among middle school children and a reduction in reported altercations among the targeted population.
A little bit more about me --
Groups I vibe with:
LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent populations, polyamorous or consensually non-monogamous folks, and BIPOC populations (allied).
What do you view as a key component of the therapeutic alliance/relationship?
*Transparency
*Trust
*Respect & Autonomy
*Authenticity.
*Secure Attachment.
* Humor.
How do your life philosophy and treatment philosophy overlap?
*Live a life of integrity.
*Do no harm.
What do you love most about being a mental health professional?
Therapy and self-discovery are gifts we give to ourselves. It's an honor to be part of someone's journey. This work is essential, honest, messy, and beautiful.
Current Availability:
Only accepting new patients in the Animal Assisted Psychotherapy program.
Service Platform:
Telehealth or Community Based
Education & Certifications:
*BA in Psychology from Salisbury University.
*Dual Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland in Management and Community. Organization, Clinical Social Work w/ a specialization in Mental Health.
*Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.
*Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – Nationally Certified.
*Application in Applied Neuroscience for the Treatment of Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD.
*Awakening with Equines Certification. Equine Partner Facilitator.
*Safe & Sound Protocol Facilitator.
Trainings/Readings --
- Natural Lifemanship -- Fundamentals of Natural Lifemanship. Trauma-Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (TF-EAP). (in process)
- Certified ADHD Professional (ADHD-CCSP) Intensive Training Course: Evidenced-Based Strategies for Managing ADHD Across the Lifespan. (in process)
- Attached -- Amir Levine & Rachel Heller
- What Happened to You? -- Dr. Bruce Perry
- Dissociation Made Simple -- Dr. Jamie Marich
- Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors -- Dr. Janina Fisher
- The Polyvagal Theory -- Dr. Steven Porges
- The Brave Athlete Calm The F*ck Down and Rise to the Occasion -- by Dr. Simon Marshall and Lesley Paterson
- Horse Brain Human Brain -- Dr. Janet Jones.
- It Didn't Start With You – Mark Wolynn
- Somatic Internal Family Systems – Susan McConnell
Fun Facts:
- Nicknames are my love language.
- I like to speak in memes.
- Meditation changed my life.
- Creating inside jokes with my babes is my favorite pastime.
Therapy Services:
- Trauma survivors/complex trauma.
- Individuals in recovery (12-step programming).
- Animal Assisted Psychotherapy (Equine or Canine).
- Safe and Sound Protocol.
Would refer to others for the following:
- Couples therapy
- Sex therapy
- Eating disorders