My Story & Approach
Gwendolyn J. Jones is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA) and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist Associate (LCAS-A) based in North Carolina. As the founder and lead clinician of Healing Forward Wellness Center, PLLC, she brings together years of advanced clinical training, grief expertise, and a deeply personal understanding of what it means to heal forward.
Gwendolyn specializes in individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and group therapy — with a particular focus on grief and loss, trauma-informed care, identity and confidence, life transitions, and emotional wellness.
She holds post-graduate certificates in both Biblical Studies and Military/Civilian Trauma Studies — equipping her to serve a wide range of clients with cultural humility and clinical depth.
She is one of a select number of clinicians trained and certified through the Grief Recovery Method (GRM) and holds advanced certification as a Grief Recovery Specialist through the Grief Recovery Institute. She is also a Transactional Analysis (TA)-trained clinician and a certified JPAQ practitioner through the Southeast Institute (SEI) under the supervision of Dr. Vann Joines.
A SYMBIS-certified practitioner, Gwendolyn — together with her husband Alfonzo — uses this evidence-based pre-marital and couples assessment to help individuals and couples build healthier, more purposeful connections.
With over a decade of experience facilitating international grief recovery groups, she has helped hundreds of clients move from surviving to thriving. Beyond the therapy room, Gwendolyn is a published author and the host of With Love, Gwen — a podcast that inspires and empowers people globally.
Gwendolyn's approach is warm, direct, and empowering. She uses a blend of evidence-based modalities — including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Transactional Analysis, the Grief Recovery Method, and faith-informed counseling — to meet each client exactly where they are.
She believes that healing is possible for everyone. Her goal is not just to reduce symptoms, but to help clients build the kind of life they actually want to live — with purpose, peace, and authentic connection.
Credentials & Training:
Gwendolyn & Alfonzo
Together, Gwendolyn and Alfonzo bring an MA in Human Services Counseling with a concentration in Marriage and Family, SYMBIS certification, Prepare/Enrich certification, Dynamic Marriage certification, an MS in Clinical Counseling, Addictions and Rehabilitation Studies, and an Associate License in Clinical Mental Health.
As a married couple in but together, they offer a rare combination of clinical depth, lived experience, and trauma-informed wisdom for couples and families seeking healthier connections.
Meet Maxx
Therapy can be heavy, but it doesn't always have to be hard. Meet Maxx — my adorable emotional support animal and co-therapist (who naturally dresses in a tuxedo). Animals bring a special kind of healing, lowering anxiety and bringing immediate comfort to our sessions.
Our Wellness Partners
Healing is holistic. We partner with exceptional leaders and organizations that support mind, body, spirit, and purpose.
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