24 saint francis magazine | fall 2024 Vanessa Jones (BA ’03, MS ’09) will attest that mental health counseling requires a lot of heavy lifting. That weight comes not in the physical sense, but in the emotional scars and burdens that she helps people navigate day after day. Jones’ life work is not for the weak. Jones, co-owner with Jacqueline Vedder at Renewal Therapy Services, regularly assists clients as they seek to move forward from the daily struggles of life, trauma, substance misuse and sexual offenses. She has also counseled many victims of human trafficking. Her work is difficult and draining, but essential for her clients to move forward in their lives. “We believe that supporting the mental well-being of every individual contributes to a stronger, more unified community,” Jones said. I am really committed to make sure anyone who wants to have quality mental health or substance misuse treatment can receive it.” Jones grew up in Fort Wayne and studied at the University of Saint Francis in large part due to her mother, Theresa Leto, who taught occupational therapy at Saint Francis. Vanessa admired her mother’s compassion and empathy. She gained professional advice from Professor Emeritus of Psychology Dr. Rolf Daniel. “Dr. Daniel helped me figure out what I wanted to do with my education—I wanted to be a therapist,” she said. Jones earned her psychology degree in 2003 and her master’s in mental health counseling in 2009. Within a year, Jones landed a position as a therapist at Headwaters Counseling. She had nearly 14 years of service and assumed the executive director/CEO role in January. Unfortunately, due to funding issues, Headwaters Counseling closed in July. After helping Headwaters clients transition to other facilities, including Alliance Health Centers, Jones joined with Vedder to open their private practice. “It was at privilege to work at Headwaters Counseling, and I am honored to have been able to serve my community. I am AS A LONGTIME MENTAL HE ALTH THER APIST, VANESSA JONES DEALS WITH DIFFICULT ISSUES. SHE’S GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNIT Y TO HELP PEOPLE IMPROVE THEIR LIVES AND CREATE BRIGHT FUTURES. also thankful for the support of my friends and family as I start this next chapter,” she said. Jones and Vedder worked together at Headwaters and now provide mental health treatment, marriage and family therapy, substance misuse treatment and treatment for sexual offenders. Their practice is located at 3030 Lake Avenue in Fort Wayne and began operation in late July. “I’m really excited that we were able to act so quickly to meet the needs of the community and to continue to provide quality continuity of care,” she said. “My skills and Jacqueline’s skills complement each other very well, and we’re able to provide a wide variety of services.” There continues to be a shortage of therapists in the U.S., and Indiana ranks among the worst states for mental health providers per capita. In Indiana, graduates obtain an associate’s license, and then spend two years in the field before taking the official licensing exam. “People who are fully licensed—some of them stay in nonprofits, but many go into private practice,” Jones said. Jones credits her time at Saint Francis with instilling skills and cultivating the compassion she provides to her clients. “I still find myself quoting my psychology professors and I look back at all of those things that have stuck with me,” she said. “I remember what a benefit the small class sizes were, and learning from professors in the field.” Jones, who is raising her two children with husband David, continues to advocate for mental health care and understands how helping a person today can have a ripple effect into tomorrow. “Therapy starts with one thing but has broad implications on a client’s life and society’s life,” Jones said. “If a person is less depressed, they can go to work more often. If they go to work more often, they can keep their job, which means they can keep their apartment, which leads to less homelessness, a better quality of life and a stronger community.” a h e a r t f o r HELPING OTHERS Photography provided by Vanessa Jones
