Dr. LaFonya Jones-Hines

Licensed Professional Counselor, PsyD, LPC-S, MAC

My desire to become a therapist developed later in my life, specifically my senior year in undergraduate school. While I majored in psychology my intentions were to enroll in law school. However, my plans changed after God stirred me in a different direction. I knew I enjoyed my psychology classes in undergraduate school but I did not realize that therapy was going to be my destiny. While enrolled in my Master’s program I had a job working with children allowing me to utilize my skills in therapy. By this point I was enjoying therapy more and attending law school was continuing to fade away. By the time I completed my Master’s degree I was working with children, and families. It felt like I found what I was meant to do. In addition to therapy, I also became a psychometrist where I was doing assessments. This additional skill seemed to seal my career of becoming a therapist. I believed the field of psychology was rewarding in many capacities. I was not only able to help people on a journey of changing their lives, learning more about themselves and guiding them to the best version of themselves. I was also able to help them understand the symptoms they were experiencing by explaining it through diagnostic assessments. 

I then decided to pursue my doctorate degree. During this time, I received more experience working with children, individuals, families and couples. By this time, I had experience working with several diagnoses from depression, anxiety, trauma, sex offenders, and posttraumatic stress disorder and a few personality disorders. By the time I graduated with my doctorate degree I could also add diagnostic assessments to my skills. 

After graduating with my doctorate degree, I was hired as a therapist at a rehabilitation facility. I never thought working with the substance abuse population would be one I would enjoy. I have seen the destruction addiction can cause and I never wanted to be part of this world.  I found that I enjoyed working with this population and I continued developing my knowledge to improve my skills to continue my work. I then received my certification as a master addiction counselor. 

I then started working with family members of addicts. I believed I had crafted my skills even more. After working with family members of addicts I felt like this population needed guidance because of their fear and confusion. Therefore, I wrote a curriculum called “Addiction Hurts Everyone”  to help this population become more knowledgeable about the world of addiction but also to help guide them through their experience of hurt, anger, trust and forgiveness.  

At this point I decided it was time to transition to private practice with my friend and peer from school. She and I agreed it was time and we began our journey.. We have now been in private practice four years. We are now venturing out to podcasting called “RePsychled”. This is a new experience, but we are ready to once again transition together.