Lisa Jones

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

Hi! I'm Lisa Jones, LPC-MHSP-S. I'm the founder of Jones Family Counseling Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, where I've owned my private practice for over nine years. I specialize in trauma, EMDR, couples work, grief, and women's midlife mental health. I'm also the founder of Everyday Budgeting, LLC and its program, Everyday Budgeting for Everyday People, which helps families and individuals take control of their finances. On top of that, I'm an author and consultant who helps other clinicians start their own practices. I grew up in a small rural community in central Indiana, and today my family and I live in a rural community just outside Knoxville.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

I love the peace and quiet of the countryside. It's beautiful to look out at the East Tennessee hills, and after a full day of holding space for others, coming home to that quiet helps me reset. I also love the sense of community here. Neighbors and church family really show up for one another.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

I have three businesses, and they all come from the same heart: helping people feel less overwhelmed and more in control of their lives.

Jones Family Counseling Center is my private practice in Knoxville. I opened it over nine years ago and grew it from a solo practice into a group practice. We offer in-person and telehealth counseling, with a focus on trauma, EMDR, couples, grief, and women's midlife mental health.

Everyday Budgeting, LLC grew out of my book, Everyday Budgeting for Everyday People. In my work, I kept seeing how much financial stress weighs on people, and how many don't know where to start. I created simple, step-by-step budgeting tools, workbooks, and classes for individuals, churches, and community groups.

Jones Consulting Solutions helps other therapists start and grow their own private practices through consulting, training, and my book, Employee to Business Owner.

Whether it's emotional health, financial health, or business health, my goal is the same: to give people practical tools and the confidence to take the next step.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

Start before you feel ready, and start small. You don't need a big budget or a perfect plan. Do as much as you can yourself at first, because learning each part of your business makes you a stronger owner. Keep your expenses low, listen closely to what your customers actually need, and be willing to change course. I grew my counseling practice to about 13 staff, then restructured it when that model no longer worked, and I've since built two more businesses from what I learned. Growth isn't always a straight line, and that's okay. Most of all, be patient with yourself. Building something meaningful takes time.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

A counselor I mentored recently shared publicly that working with me was "an indescribable blessing." Seeing her grow into a clinical supervisor is truly an honor. In my counseling work, I've also walked with people through their darkest moments, and some have told me they're still here today because of the work we did together. That is deeply humbling, and it's the greatest honor of my career.

Where do you see your company in the future?

I'm excited about what's ahead. With Everyday Budgeting, I'm growing a line of workbooks, courses, and coaching, and I hope to bring financial literacy programs to churches, schools, and workplaces. Through Jones Consulting Solutions, I'll keep helping therapists build their own practices. And at Jones Family Counseling Center, I'll keep doing the work I love. My goal is to help people feel less overwhelmed and more confident in their emotional health, their finances, and their businesses.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that counseling is only for people in crisis. In reality, therapy is for anyone who wants to heal or grow. Budgeting is the same way. People think it means restriction, but it actually brings freedom. Asking for help isn't weakness. It's strength.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

One of my biggest struggles was staffing and cash flow. When I grew my practice to about 13 staff, I learned that more people doesn't always mean more profit. Payroll and the cost of running a group practice put a real strain on cash flow. Eventually I restructured to a simpler model that works better for me. It was a hard lesson, but it taught me to build businesses that are sustainable, not just big.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

I have three: Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Paula Abdul. Michael Jordan was my favorite athlete.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

A big shout-out to my daughter, Shannon. She's my biggest cheerleader, and I'm so proud of the woman she's become. Watching her grow in her own career and education inspires me every day. Thank you for always believing in me!

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

Readers can learn more about Jones Family Counseling Center at jonesfamilycounseling.com or by calling 865-392-5225. We offer in-person counseling in Knoxville and telehealth across Tennessee. You can also find my budgeting books and resources at everydaybudgetingforeverydaypeople.com.