Today we’d like to introduce you to Ja’Wonna Barnes.
Hi Ja’Wonna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Life experiences and challenges have played a significant role in leading me to where I am today, but one experience in particular planted the seed for the work I now do.
At the age of nine, I unexpectedly lost my mother. After her passing, I moved in with my aunt and her two sons and transitioned to a new school. Adjusting to a new home, school, and environment while navigating such a significant loss was difficult, but along the way, I met some incredible people, including my school counselor. This was my first experience with counseling and one that would leave a lasting impact on me.
My aunt has always been a hard worker and was intentional about showing up for us in every way she could. However, there was one occasion when she was unable to attend a Muffins for Mom event at my school. My school counselor stepped in and attended with me in place of my mother and aunt. It may have seemed like a small gesture, but to nine-year-old me, it meant everything. That experience showed me the power of simply showing up for someone during a time when they need it most. It was then that I knew I wanted to one day support people in my community and be a source of encouragement and representation, someone who could remind others that their circumstances do not determine what they are capable of becoming.
Although the mental health field first sparked my interest in elementary school, when I entered college, I initially chose a different path. But life has a way of bringing us back to the things we are called to do. Through my own life experiences, challenges, growth, and journey through motherhood, I eventually found my way back to that childhood desire.
Today, I have the privilege of doing the work that was planted in my heart all those years ago, supporting others as a regional counselor for a charter school, tutoring future therapists, and serving as a therapist and helping people recognize their strength, heal from difficult experiences, and understand that they are capable of overcoming the obstacles they encounter. What began with a school counselor simply choosing to show up for me ultimately helped shape my purpose: to show up for others.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It most certainly has not been a smooth road. I’ve experienced grief, personal trials, heartache, exhaustion, and moments when the weight of everything I was carrying felt overwhelming. There were seasons when balancing motherhood, my career, education, and personal growth required more of me than I thought I had to give.
However, through every challenge, my faith, my children, and my sense of purpose have remained my foundation. They have given me the strength and perseverance to continue moving forward, even when the road was difficult. I’ve learned that challenges do not have to stop you; sometimes, they shape you, strengthen you, and prepare you for the very purpose you are working toward.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Lean Into Healing Counseling & Wellness, PLLC?
I am the founder and owner of Lean Into Healing Counseling & Wellness, PLLC, a practice created from both professional experience and a deeply personal commitment to helping others navigate life’s challenges. As a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, under the supervision of Judy White-Jackson, MA, LPC-S, I support teens, adults, and families experiencing trauma, life transitions, anxiety, depression, school and social concerns, self-esteem challenges, stress, and offer faith-based support as well for those who desire it.
One of the things that sets my practice apart is my ability to bring professional knowledge together with the perspective gained through lived experiences. I understand that healing is not always linear, and I strive to create a space where clients feel seen, heard, supported, and empowered without judgment. My goal is not simply to help people cope with what they have experienced, but to help them recognize their strengths and intentionally move toward the life they want to create.
I am especially proud of the meaning behind the name Lean Into Healing Counseling & Wellness, PLLC. While the practice is not directly named after my mother, the name is, in many ways, a nod to her and to my Houston roots. Some of my fondest memories of my mother are of us listening and rapping along to Houston artists together. The name takes the familiar idea of “lean” and gives it a positive, intentional meaning. Rather than leaning into maladaptive behaviors or unhealthy ways of coping when life becomes difficult, I encourage my clients to lean into healing, growth, faith, and healthier versions of themselves.
More than anything, I want people to know that there is genuine passion behind this brand. Lean Into Healing Counseling & Wellness, PLLC was created to be a place where teens, adults, and families can receive compassionate and individualized support through the different seasons of life. I currently offer both virtual and in-person counseling sessions, with evening availability during the week and select Saturday appointments to make therapy more accessible for busy individuals and families.
For me, Lean Into Healing Counseling & Wellness, PLLC is more than the name of my practice, it represents a choice: whatever life brings, we can choose to lean into healing.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Aw, I have so many! If I could share a few, I would say some of my favorite childhood memories include simply spending time with my family, I’m truly grateful for my village! Taking trips whenever we had the opportunity, and meeting friends who would ultimately become lifelong connections. I also have such fond memories of sitting in front of the TV watching BET, patiently waiting for my favorite music videos to come on. Those simple moments…family, friendship, music, laughter, and just enjoying life are some of the memories I cherish most.
Pricing:
- * Individual Therapy: $110 per session for private-pay clients
- * Couples Therapy: $135 per session for private-pay clients
- * Sliding Scale: Reduced-fee options may be available for eligible private-pay clients based on availability.
- * Insurance: I accept most major insurance plans. Coverage and benefits may vary, so clients are encouraged to verify their specific benefits before beginning services.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://leanintohealingcounseling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leanintohealingcounseling?igsh=MXZoMHpzeG1scWYzNg%3D%3D&igsi=MXZoMHpzeG1scWYzNg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19LgrwhcT5/?mibextid=wwXIfr
