Meet Marva Jones of Tree of Life Counseling and Training Center, Inc.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marva Jones.

Hi Marva, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I own a private practice (Tree of Life Counseling and Training Center) that provides therapy for mental health, addictions, marriage and family counseling, sports performance, and major life transitions such as retirement. Since the age of 8 or earlier, I dreamt of being a therapist and helping others navigate through the challenges of life.

However, I was detoured by seeing others move into the business world and felt that should be my direction, too. As life would have it, I found myself being the person that many peers would come to whenever they were struggling with something. I eventually made the decision that it was time for me to return to college to work on my Masters in the field of counseling and I did.

I grew up in Massillon, Ohio and graduated from Massillon Washington High School. After graduating, I worked full-time and attended college at night at Kent State University, graduated with my Associate of Arts and completed my Bachelor of Arts from Malone (College) University. In my late 30s, I returned to college at Ashland Theological Seminary/Ashland University and graduated with a Master of Arts in Clinical Pastoral Counseling. After that, I completed my PhD at Dayspring Seminary in Biblical Counseling.

As a result of my education, completing a practicum, and internship I am now a Licensed Profession Clinical Counselor with Supervision Designation, a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (in September 2026, I completed the course work for my Gambling Endorsement to help people that are struggling with a gambling addiction), and I am an Ordained Minister,

My diverse background including 20 years in the business field (payroll, accounting, and real estate) 10 years as a psychology professor teaching outreach at 3 all male correctional institutions for Ashland University, 10 years as a Clinical Director, and 3 years as an NFL Agent.; allows me to connect with people with various life experiences.

In August of 2024, I published my first book; The Dance (The Power of the Father, Parenting Through Divorce and Separation, Don’t Let Your Children Become Collateral Damage.)

Honors/Designations:
Marquis Who’s Who 2024
NBA/NBPA Clinician’s Network 2021-Present
Health Awareness Network Connection, Inc. Service Award 2020
NCNW Trailblazer Award 2019
NAACP Daisy Bates Trailblazer Award 2007

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been challenges along the way. I am thankful for them now because they helped me to grow personally and professionally. At times promotions that I felt I should have been considered for, didn’t happen but that kept me focused on finishing my degrees and eventually moving into my current profession.

Also never being a traditional student. at times working full-time and taking a full load at school in order to finish. There was a period of time that I worked full-time in the finance division at a company, sold real estate, and was attending college at night carrying a full load in an accelerated program.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Tree of Life Counseling and Training Center, Inc.?
Tree of Life Counseling and Training Center, Inc. is a private practice of which I am the Founder and President. I currently have an Office Administrator and 5 therapists that work with me to provide individual therapy for mental health, addiction counseling, marriage and family, and sports performance counseling.

As a result of my book, The Dance; I have started offering monthly virtual seminars. The overarching theme is: Healing a Nation One Family at a Time.

I am most proud of our services being client-centered; we have the clinical expertise as well as being able to integrate Biblical counseling for clients who are seeking Christian Counseling.

It is important to me that The Tree of Life Counseling and Training Center to be known as a place where clients/patients find emotional safety, compassion, care, and healing without judgement.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Being in private practice, we are not as impacted with funding issues as agencies are. However, there are major changes with insurance that will go into effect in 2027 that will cause some individuals to lose their insurance coverage. That could potentially have an impact on the practice.

If I don’t know how to do anything else, I know how to pivot. I will make sure the practice continues to be a reliable resource for individuals that need therapy.

In addition, one of the biggest shifts came during COVID. I transformed my practice from in-person to telehealth over night without canceling one appointment. Currently we offer both telehealth and in-person appointments; we will continue to do that.

Pricing:

• It is insurance driven.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.treeoflifecatc.com
• Facebook: Tree of Life Counseling and Training Center
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TreeOfLifeCATC