Today we’d like to introduce you to Devante Jones
Devante , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It all started in Louisiana. As a young child, I grew up in St. Maurice, Louisiana, and at the age of 12, I moved to Clarence, Louisiana. I would like to say that I have always been a small town boy with big dreams. I never knew what I wanted to do going through high school. All I knew at that time is that I was smart and I was loved by people that truly supported me. It felt like enough. I must add that I have always had a very ambitious mindset. By the time I turned 17 years of age, I was very nervous about what my future would look like as an adult. Like I said, small town boy with big dreams right? In Natchitoches, Louisiana the nearest city to Clarence, it was a struggle for me to get a job. No one would hire me. So I ended up joining the Army. I gave the Army 8 years of my life, honorably discharging at the age of 25. While being in the military, I also maintained a job at a correctional facility in Winnfield, Louisiana. However, as I continued to learn from traveling and encountering eye opening experiences of being in the military, I knew that I wanted better. So at the age of 23, still while being in the military, I enrolled in school and secretly moved to Texas. The only people that knew I moved were my parents and siblings. I quit my job, packed my car, gave all of my things in my apartment away, and left. All I had was $600 to stand on. LIFE HIT ME! The things that you see on movies actually happened to me. I ended up being homeless for awhile when I first arrived to Houston, but I kept going. I would go to the library to do my school work online. I would go to truck stops to take baths. I would park in the furthest parking spot in Walmart’s parking lot to sleep, with my car on all night to circulate air within my uncomfortable living space. I kept water bottles and $2.00 bag of popcorn from Dollar General to eat. It did not stop me from putting my wrinkled clothes on dressing for interview after interview. However, it was an internal battle for me on whether I should just go back home to Louisiana and just start over. I just did not have it in me to do. I did not want to feel like a disappointment to myself. I continued to hide the fact that I was homeless while living in Texas. My family thought that I was living in an apartment because I had did a walk through at an apartment, recorded it, and sent it to them. I even took pictures of the model apartment at the apartment complex and made family think that it was mine. I laugh now because I cannot believe I did that. I fully embrace that chapter of embarrassment and hesitance in my life now. I honestly just did not want anyone worried about me. The goal was to elevate, become better in Texas, and bring my family with me. I always had the vision of allowing my family to live a stress-free and wealthy life. Fast forward, it all changed. Yes, I continued to encounter hurdles here and there. Yes, I faced some challenges. Yes, I faced some losses. But now it all has made sense as to why I experienced the things that I did. This has created so much resiliency, humbleness, and perseverance within myself. This did lead to me becoming one of the biggest serial entrepreneurs and I remain so appreciative with saying that. I became an author in 2018, writing a best-seller on Amazon, “Hidden Footsteps.” This is what kind of opened the door to the entrepreneur world for me. I never saw it coming. But again, I was so grateful for that win. It made me realize that everything that I had been touching, God continued to bless, so my mind started to think, “LETS ELEVATE!” I started by candle business, Hazy Days Candle Collection in 2022. I then started Path of Progression Credit Recovery in 2022. They both have been a very big contribution to giving back to the community and more elevation in life. This continued to drive me to stay out of that survival instinct that I had experienced. By that time I obtained my Bachelors in Criminal Justice in 2017. I then obtained my first Masters in Clinical Mental Health in Counseling in 2021. I then obtained my second Masters in Social Work in 2024. I continue to gain so much experience with the partnerships and previous employers that has been apart of my journey in the state of Texas ; correctional facilities, churches, veteran entities, non-profit organizations, law firms, households, parolees, the foster system, rehabilitation centers, shelters, and so many more vital entities in the state of Texas. With things that I have learned from personal, educational, and professional experience is what led to me starting my third business, my counseling agency, Path of Progression Mental and Behavioral Services. This is my ultimate love! I love being able to assist vulnerable and at-risk populations with their mental health. This resonates with me in so many ways because I personally know how one’s mental health can be compromised. So being able to be a safe space, an open heart, listening ear, and having non-judgmental approach is always priority. Mental health can make or break someone. I try my absolute hardest to keep everyone’s mental health in a good space. If this means sitting in seminars, workshops, or mentorships to get more training about a specific trauma, I will do it. I do not care what it takes, I will always lead with fulfilling the betterment of any and everyone’s mental health.
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?
It has not been the smoothest road at all. I did face homelessness, bad relationships, negative peers, and feeling defeated. But I did not let that stop me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am an:
Affiliate Sex Offender Treatment Provider
Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Master Social Worker
Anger Management Facilitator
Domestic Violence Facilitator
Parenting Facilitator
Author
I do specialize in working with foster youth, veterans, children, teenagers, LGBTQIA+, substance users, probationers, sex offenders, sex and human trafficked victims, domestic violence victims, autistic population, men, and women. I do specialize in providing counseling services to couples and marriages as well. I also do host mental health and suicide prevention workshops. I have been gradually growing into committing to more speaking engagements to continue raising awareness about the importance of prioritizing mental health and healthy boundaries.
One of the highlights about what sets me apart from others is that I am a male therapist that has a trauma-informed approach. I am always accommodating to the needs of every client. I am a licensed therapist in the states of Louisiana and Texas, pouring back into my roots. Whatever I do not know, I am always willing to learn. Even if a client is not compatible with me, I always assist the client with being referred to where they may be a better fit. Another highlight about myself is that I also love volunteering to feed the homeless and pass gifts out to foster youth throughout the year.
I am most proud that I am able to be in the mental health field and witnessing the reward of clients not giving up. Seeing them make it to apart of their life, where at one point they did not think that they could. This also makes me the most proud.
To everyone reading this, therapy does not have to be expensive. I get that sometimes that it is not free. However, take notice that in some cases it can be. Do not ever hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions about a service that you need, whether it be anger management classes, substance abuse assessment, or anything pertaining to your relationship with your spouse or your mental health.
You can view more of our services that are offered at www.pathofrpogressionmbs.org or contact me at (346)-758-3495 ext. 101.
You can follow me TikTok at Devantespeaks
You can follow me on Instagram at Devante.The.Therapist
What matters most to you? Why?
Outside of valuing mental health; my parents, siblings, and friends matter so much to me. They have always supported me in my wild decisions that has led me to being successful. I honestly cannot thank them enough. I have been able to successfully move my family here. I am so grateful. I literally thank God everyday. I really needed them throughout my journey. I love them so much. Special thanks to my mother, father, and little sister, I really love and appreciate them so much. The unconditional love has always been something that I was been given without question.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pathofprogressionmbs.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devante.the.therapist/profilecard/?igsh=cjJqNGRxZW1xNGtq
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devante.i.jones?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devante-jones-449130a8
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@devantespeaks?_t=8rYwr52RLaw&_r=1
