Today we’d like to introduce you to Lakieshia Jones.
Lakieshia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always known I wanted to help people. I just didn’t know exactly how that would look when I was younger. That desire led me to study social work at Tuskegee University, and later I earned my master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University, where I learned even more about family systems and how they shape who we are. Families are unique and complex, and I knew that understanding them was key to helping people truly heal.
My passion for addiction counseling is deeply personal. I’ve seen the ripple effects of addiction in my own family and in the families I’ve supported over the years. I’ve seen how it can tear relationships apart and harm people’s health, but I’ve also witnessed the strength and courage it takes to heal and rebuild. Those experiences, combined with my education and my heart for helping others, led me to where I am today.
Throughout my career, I worked in organizations where clients were often treated like numbers instead of people. That never felt right to me. I believe that everyone deserves a space where they’re seen, valued, and supported in a way that fits their unique story. In 2020, I started planning to open my own practice focused on helping people struggling with substance use. But just as I was making plans, the pandemic hit and everything changed.
In 2021, my husband was diagnosed with cancer, and my world stopped. My focus shifted to taking care of him and our children while still working, and it was one of the hardest seasons of my life. But it also reminded me how precious time really is. When he completed treatment and we came out on the other side in 2023, I knew I couldn’t keep waiting for the “perfect time.” Life is short, and I needed to stop planning and start doing. Through it all, my husband has been my number one supporter. He’s always believed in me, encouraged me, and pushed me to keep going, and his support gave me the strength to grow as an entrepreneur.
That’s how Start Again Counseling was born. I opened my first location in Peachtree City, Georgia, with a mission to create a place where people could heal without shame, rebuild their lives, and realize that recovery is possible. In 2025, I expanded and opened a second location in Manchester, Georgia, a rural community where access to services is limited. Reaching people in places where resources are scarce is so important to me. My work focuses on supporting individuals and families impacted by substance use and addiction, including both those who are court-mandated to receive services and those who come on their own seeking help. Whether someone walks through our doors because they’re ready to make a change or because they’ve been required to, my mission is the same: to meet them where they are and help them take the next step toward healing.
Today, I’m proud to run my practice while also working full time as an undergraduate psychology professor for Purdue University Global. Teaching gives me the chance to combine my love for education, counseling, and empowering people and families to grow and heal.
One of the things I’m most proud of is watching people, whether they’re court-mandated clients or individuals seeking help on their own, come in carrying shame, pain, or hopelessness and leave believing in themselves again. My goal has always been to treat the whole person, not just the addiction, and to show them that their story isn’t over, it’s just being rewritten.
Looking ahead, my vision for Start Again Counseling goes beyond one practice. I want to expand into more rural communities across Georgia where the need is high but resources are few. I want to bring awareness, education, and hope into places that have been overlooked for too long. That means offering workshops, trainings, and programs that reduce stigma and change the way people understand addiction. It also means working with professional organizations to support and inspire the next generation of addiction counselors, creating a ripple effect of compassion and change.
At the heart of everything I do is a simple mission: to break generational cycles, increase access to treatment, and remind individuals and families that no matter where they are or what they’ve been through, they can always start again.
If there’s one message I hope people take from my story, it’s this: it’s never too late. Life will test you. Plans will change. Challenges will come. But those same experiences can become the very thing that shapes your purpose. I’m living proof that you can turn pain into passion, obstacles into opportunities, and dreams into reality when you refuse to give up on yourself and the people you’re called to serve.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Honestly, there were times I wasn’t sure if I’d even get here. One of the hardest seasons of my life came in 2021 when my husband was diagnosed with cancer. Everything stopped. My focus shifted to taking care of him, keeping life stable for our kids, and still trying to show up for work. I was exhausted, scared, and there were moments I questioned whether I had it in me to keep chasing my dream of starting a practice. But that experience also changed me. It taught me about strength, patience, and what truly matters.
Starting a business from scratch was another major challenge. I had worked in organizations where people were treated like numbers, and I knew I wanted to build something more personal and meaningful, but I had no roadmap for how to do it. There were days I felt overwhelmed trying to figure everything out on my own, from building the business structure to reaching the people who needed my help most.
Even now, it’s not always easy. Balancing the needs of court-mandated clients with those who walk through the door on their own, pushing back against the stigma around addiction, and trying to bring services to rural communities that are often overlooked , all of it has its challenges. But every struggle has shaped me into the counselor, business owner, and woman I am today. It’s made me more determined to show up for others and more grateful for every single step forward.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Start Again Counseling, LLC?
Start Again Counseling is truly my heart in action. It’s a safe and welcoming space where people can come to experience healing, growth, and start over without judgment. We work with individuals and families who are impacted by substance use and addiction, and we meet people exactly where they are in their journey. Some of our clients are court-mandated and required to complete evaluations or counseling, and others walk through our doors on their own because they’re ready to make a change. No matter how someone gets here, our mission stays the same, to walk alongside them and help them take the next step toward healing.
We provide substance use evaluations, DOT SAP services (which support employees in safety-sensitive roles like trucking or commercial transportation after a positive substance test), anger management, parenting support, and education around addiction and recovery. What makes us different is how personal and compassionate our approach is. I know firsthand how addiction affects individuals and families, and that experience shapes the way I connect with every client. We don’t just focus on the addiction itself , we focus on the whole person, their story, and the family system around them.
One thing I’m especially proud of is our growth. I opened our first location in Peachtree City in 2023, and in 2025 we expanded into Manchester, Georgia so we could reach people in rural areas where services are limited and stigma can be heavy. That’s the heart of Start Again Counseling, going where the need is and showing up for people who might otherwise feel forgotten.
We’re also passionate about breaking generational cycles and changing how people think about addiction. That’s why we offer corporate trainings and workshops for businesses, schools, and community organizations to help educate, raise awareness, and reduce stigma around addiction and mental health. I want people to know that Start Again Counseling is more than just a place to get counseling, it’s a place where second chances happen, where healing is possible, and where it’s never too late to start again.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I really believe we’re not meant to do this journey alone. Having a mentor can make all the difference, both personally and professionally. I know this firsthand because I work with a business coach who’s been such an important part of my growth. Having someone to challenge me, guide me, and hold me accountable has helped me see things from new perspectives and stay focused on my goals.
My biggest piece of advice is to find someone whose values and purpose align with yours , not just someone who’s successful, but someone who leads with heart. Don’t be afraid to reach out and introduce yourself or ask questions. Most people are more willing to help than we realize, but you have to take that first step.
For me, networking has been about building real, genuine relationships, not just collecting business cards or contacts. I show up to conferences, workshops, and professional events ready to learn and connect. I also make sure to stay engaged with online communities where people in this field share ideas and support each other.
The thing that’s worked best for me is being authentic. I don’t approach networking thinking, “What can I get out of this?” Instead, I think, “How can we help each other grow?” That mindset has led me to mentors, collaborations, and friendships that I truly value. And I’ve learned that when you stay true to who you are and keep showing up with purpose, the right people will find their way into your life , often when you least expect it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://startagaincounseling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startagaincounseling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566864260057
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakieshia-j-8192618a/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@startagaincounseling
Image Credits
Image Credits Lakieshia Jones and Devine Studio Photography
