Hi, I'm Melissa Jones!

M.Ed, LPC & Certified Synergetic Play Therapist

Hi, I’m Melissa—parent, former special education teacher and foster mom, autism specialist, and now the owner and lead therapist behind Guiding Arrows Counseling. You’re probably reading this page because you’re hoping to find the right support for you and your family. I’ve lived the hopes and fears you’re going through, I’ve wrestled with the behaviors that keep parents up at night, and I’ve celebrated the milestones on the other side. My real-world experience fuels everything I do: when your family walks through my door, you get every ounce of my curiosity, expertise, and heart.

I believe behavior makes sense every time. By taking a deep dive into why a child acts the way they do, we uncover unmet needs and discover the path to meeting them. I’ll show you how to translate those baffling moments into a clear plan that supports your child while looking after your own well-being.

My therapeutic toolkit:

AutPlay® Therapy blends play, parent coaching, and regulation strategies to nurture social-emotional growth in neurodivergent kids.

Synergetic Play Therapy™ uses play, attachment, interpersonal neurobiology, and nervous-system science to help children (and adults!) process dysregulation and build resilience.

LENS Neurofeedback gently “nudges” the nervous system, encouraging better self-regulation, focus, and emotional balance- even for infants as young as six months.

I work with children ages 3+, teens, and parents. My specialty areas are:

- Parenting Skills
- Behavioral Concerns
- Emotional Dysregulation

- autism
- Anxiety
- Adoption
- trauma

Whether we’re learning to honor the uniqueness of autism (all levels), PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), ADHD, learning disabilities, dysregulation disorders, or those just-plain-perplexing behaviors, my mission is the same: help every human be seen for their strengths, not their deficits.

Parents, you might prefer to be anywhere but therapy. I get that!

Just know we can get through this together. You are just as important as your kid in the therapy process. I spend a good amount of time supporting parents and caregivers in developing effective parenting skills, guidance on strategies, and encouragement to help navigate the challenges of raising children. Let's reduce stress and pave the way for positive change together.

Speaking & Advocacy

I speak internationally on neurodiversity and neurofeedback to support the growing neurodivergent movement—a mission that allows me to reach kids and families far beyond the ones I serve in my practice.

If you’re looking for a partner who digs deep, champions your child, and equips you for the journey, I’d love to connect.

For workshops, speaking engagements, or interviews:

Email Me

FAQs

  • Let's schedule a free 15 minute consultation so we can learn more about each other. Just fill in the information on our website.

  • "Therapy is a way for kids to talk about their feelings and thoughts through play. Instead of using just words, you get to use toys, games, and art to show what's going on inside your heart and mind. The play therapist is like a friend who helps you express yourself and understand your emotions better. It's a special time just for you to play and learn how to work through hard things."

  • Honestly, not much. The terms "therapy" and "counseling" are often used interchangeably, and their meanings can overlap. Therapy is a broader term that encompasses various forms of treatment for mental, emotional, or behavioral issues, while counseling implies a more focused, problem-solving approach to specific issues or challenges. Professionals providing therapy may include psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists (like here at GAC), and licensed clinical social workers. Counselors often hold titles such as licensed professional counselors (also here at GAC), marriage and family therapists, school counselors, or career counselors.

  • We are a private pay practice. The short to explanation as to "Why?" is because insurance companies require a diagnosis when sometimes one is not medically necessary, billing insurance limits confidentiality, insurance controls how many sessions you are allotted, AND they determine what modalities of treatment are covered which may not be suitable for your needs. With private pay, we can create a customized treatment plan specifically catered to you and your needs. We are happy to provide a superbill for you to file with your insurance company, although there is no guarantee of coverage.

  • If you are seeking services for your child, the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) will join the child during the first session. This is our time to get to know each other, go over confidentiality and informed consent, how therapy is conducted, discuss the reason for services, and create treatment goals.

  • We are in Aledo, directly off the access road between 1187 and Ranch House Road on the corner of Bankhead and Nu Energy. We are the large office space in the Bearcat Storage parking lot. We can't wait for you to enjoy our space as much as we do!

    130 Nu Energy Drive
    Aledo, TX 76008

  • If you are unable to attend a session, you may cancel at least 24 hours beforehand with no charge. Cancellations within 24 hours of the appointment are charged the full session rate.