I’m Caroline Jones, a therapist at The Banyan Tree Center in Athens, Georgia. I offer both individual and couples therapy, and I see clients in person and via telehealth.

I’ve always been fascinated by the complexity of people and the stories they carry. My background is in systemic therapy, which means I look at people within the context of their relationships and lived experiences, and how this shapes their relationship with themselves, others, and the world. For me, therapy is both deeply relational and creative. I love helping people find new ways of seeing themselves and their situations. There is always something new to discover, and no two people or stories are ever the same.

My style is warm, honest, and collaborative. I ask a lot of questions, I think out loud, and I find that when there’s room for humor alongside the harder conversations, people tend to open up more. When I show up as myself, clients usually feel more free to do the same.

“My curiosity is my driving factor in this work.”

Background and Credentials

• Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), Associate Licensure in process
• MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, Valdosta State University
• BS in Psychology, Valdosta State University
• Experience working with individuals, couples, and families across a wide range of concerns

How I Work

• In person · The Banyan Tree Center, Athens GA
• Telehealth available
• Ages 12 to 60

Approaches: Narrative therapy · Relational therapy · Solution-focused therapy · Collaborative therapy · Emotionally-focused therapy · Intergenerational therapy

What I Specialize In

Couples Therapy for Breach of Trust in Athens, GA

Who I work with: One or both partners have experienced something that broke the trust between them, whether that’s infidelity, feeling consistently pushed aside, a broken promise, or feeling like the relationship hasn’t been respected. One partner may feel deeply hurt and want to reconnect and understand why it happened. The other may feel remorseful and sorry, or may pull away and get defensive when questions come up. Both are usually exhausted.

What we do together: Early on I help both partners slow down and really look at the impact of what happened, rather than staying stuck in blame or defensiveness. We work on rebuilding trust through honest communication, taking responsibility, and getting clearer on needs and boundaries. As therapy moves forward we look at the deeper patterns underneath what happened, which often involves old wounds, anxiety, or difficulty trusting themselves and each other. My role is to help each partner show up in the relationship in a more grounded and intentional way.

Couples Communication Therapy in Athens, GA

Who I work with: Many couples come in feeling unheard, misunderstood, disconnected, or just worn out from having the same arguments over and over. They may clash about finances, parenting, trust, intimacy, or future goals, but underneath those fights is usually a deeper need to feel valued, respected, and close. Often partners start seeing each other as the problem instead of seeing the cycle they’ve both gotten stuck in.

What we do together: I start by helping us all understand the patterns and cycles that are shaping the relationship. Rather than just focusing on what the arguments are about, we look at what each partner is feeling underneath and how they’ve learned to protect themselves. I help create conversations where both people can be honest and open instead of getting defensive or shutting down. The goal isn’t for partners to agree on everything. It’s for each person to feel heard, understood, and more connected.

LGBTQ+ Therapy and Identity in Athens, GA

Who I work with: Clients often come in feeling isolated, misunderstood, or unsure where they belong. Some are dealing with fears around coming out, navigating family relationships, or finding a community that actually fits who they are. Others are working to understand themselves while managing outside pressure, rejection, or worry about how they’ll be seen by people around them.

What we do together: My goal is to create a space where you can explore your identity without pressure to have it all figured out. We might work through family dynamics, build self-acceptance, navigate relationships, or build confidence in living more honestly as yourself. I want to help you understand yourself more fully while also helping you deal with the people and relationships around you that affect your life.

Burnout and Self-Advocacy in Athens, GA

Who I work with: Many of these clients feel worn out from always putting other people’s needs ahead of their own. They struggle with setting limits, guilt, people-pleasing, or feeling lost after spending so much energy on work, relationships, or family. Some aren’t sure what they even enjoy anymore or realize they almost never make decisions based on their own needs and values.

What we do together: We start by looking at the beliefs, fears, and habits that are driving the burnout and making it hard to speak up for themselves. From there we work on setting limits, reconnecting with what actually matters to them, and getting more comfortable with the awkwardness that comes with change and saying no. I encourage clients to try these things between sessions and bring back what happened so we can talk through what worked, what felt hard, and how to keep building a life that feels more like theirs.

A Few Things I Want You to Know

Before your first session: My main focus in the first session is to get to know you, and for you to get to know me too. I’m here to listen and work with whatever you bring, whether that’s in the first session or the eighth. You don’t need to have everything figured out. We just start from wherever you are.

Something I wish more people knew: One of the strongest predictors of successful therapy is the relationship you have with your therapist. That’s why I focus on building real connection and trust with my clients rather than just treating symptoms or checking boxes.

Who I do my best work with: Clients who want to understand themselves and improve their relationships. Your commitment to this process shows up in every session, and when we’re both working toward your goals, you get so much more out of it.

One more thing: You’re always allowed to disagree with me, push back on something I said, or just not answer a question. The pace of therapy matters a lot to me. I want to stay right by your side, not get ahead of you or leave you behind.