Creativity. Collaboration. Community.
Creativity. Collaboration. Community.
Essence Jackson-Jones, LCPC, CDP, ATR, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Texas, Illinois, and Idaho, a Certified Dementia Practitioner, and a Registered Art Therapist with over seven years of experience supporting adults navigating anxiety, depression, memory changes, and life transitions.
Her work centers on creating a space where individuals and caregivers feel supported, understood, and connected. She specializes in working with those experiencing early cognitive changes, as well as caregivers seeking meaningful ways to engage with their loved ones while also tending to their own emotional well-being.
At Aura Art Space, Essence blends art therapy with brain-informed practices to support emotional expression, engagement, and overall well-being. Her approach is gentle, collaborative, and tailored to each person’s needs—honoring their current level of independence and lived experience.
No artistic experience is needed—just a willingness to explore, express, and connect.
Education
Essence earned her Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), one of the nation’s leading programs in art therapy education. Consistently ranked among the top 20 art therapy graduate programs in the U.S., SAIC’s curriculum integrates rigorous clinical training with creative practice, emphasizing the therapeutic power of art in mental health and wellness.
Through her studies, Essence developed a deep commitment to combining evidence-based counseling with the expressive potential of art-making—an approach that continues to guide her work with individuals, families, and caregivers seeking connection, healing, and growth.
Essence is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas (#87854), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois (#180.014133), and Idaho (#7381709). She is also a Registered Art Therapist (ATR) with the Art Therapy Credentialing Board (#20-342) and a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP).
Her clinical background integrates creative arts therapy, counseling, and brain health education to support individuals and caregivers navigating memory changes, life transitions, and emotional well-being.
