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Dr. Leslie A. Jones

Clinical Professor

University of North Texas

Department of Counseling and Higher Education

(940) 565-2066

Email: LeslieDe.Jones@unt.edu

Education

  • PhD, University of North Texas, 2001
    Major: Counseling and Student Services
    Dissertation: Effectiveness of Filial/Play Therapy Training on High School Students' Empathic Behavior With Young Children
  • MEd, University of North Texas, 1995
    Major: Counseling and Student Services
  • BA, Texas A&M University, 1993
    Major: Psychology

Professional Positions

  • Lecturer, University of North Texas. University of North Texas. (2009 - 2010).
  • Adjunct, Univeristy of North Texas. Univeristy of North Texas. (2005 - 2008).
  • Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Central Florida. University of Central Florida. (2001 - 2005).

    • Academic - Post-Secondary

  • Clinical Associate Professor, University of North Texas. University of North Texas. (2015 - Present).
  • Clinical Assistant Professor, University of North Texas. University of North Texas. (2010 - 2015).

Licensures and Certifications

  • Registered Play Therapist, Assoication for Play Therapy. (2003 - Present).
  • Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, Texas LPC Board. (2000 - Present).
  • Child Centered Play Therapy - Supervisor, Center for Play Therapy. (2020 - 2028).
  • Child Parent Relationship Therapy - Supervisor, Center for Play Therapy. (2020 - 2028).
  • Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, Association for Play Therapy. (2023 - 2025).

Professional Memberships

  • American Counseling Association. (2005 - Present).
  • Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. (2005 - Present).
  • Association for Play Therapy. (2005 - Present).
  • Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. (2005 - Present).
  • Texas Association for Play Therapy. (2005 - Present).
  • Texas Counseling Association. (2005 - Present).

Teaching

Teaching Experience

    University of North Texas

  • COUN 2610 - PRIN COUNSELING I, 2 courses.
  • COUN 3620 - Principles of Counseling II, 1 course.
  • COUN 3640 - Group Process in Helping Relationships, 1 course.
  • COUN 4620 - Interpersonal Skills in Helping Relationships, 1 course.
  • COUN 4900 - Special Problems, 1 course.
  • COUN 5000 - Filial/Family Therapy, 4 courses.
  • COUN 5100 - Expressive Arts in the Counseling Process, 4 courses.
  • COUN 5290 - Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2 courses.
  • COUN 5640 - Play Based Group and Family Counseling, 10 courses.
  • COUN 5650 - Advanced Skills in Play Therapy, 5 courses.
  • COUN 5680 - Essential Skills in Counseling, 10 courses.
  • COUN 5690 - Practicum in Counseling, 11 courses.
  • COUN 5700 - Introduction to Play Therapy, 10 courses.
  • COUN 5720 - Internship in Counseling I, 5 courses.
  • COUN 5721 - Internship in Counseling II, 5 courses.
  • COUN 5760 - Appraisal in Child and Adolescent Counseling, 10 courses.
  • COUN 5800 - Studies in Education, 4 courses.
  • COUN 5900 - Special Problems, 11 courses.
  • COUN 6090 - Counselor Supervision, 5 courses.
  • COUN 6210 - Counseling Principles and Process I, 3 courses.
  • COUN 6220 - Counseling Principles and Process II : Consultation Emphasis, 6 courses.
  • COUN 6230 - Counseling Principles and Process III : Systems Emphasis, 6 courses.
  • COUN 6240 - Counseling Principles and Process III, 5 courses.
  • COUN 6250 - Counseling Principles and Process IV, 5 courses.
  • COUN 6260 - Counseling Principles and Process V, 6 courses.
  • COUN 6652 - Teaching Counselor Education, 2 courses.
  • COUN 6680 - Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Counseling, 1 course.
  • COUN 6900 - Special Problems, 39 courses.
  • COUN 6950 - Doctoral Dissertation, 28 courses.

Directed Student Learning

  • Dissertation Committee Chair, Counseling and Higher Education. (2023).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, Counseling and Higher Education. (2019).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, Counseling and Higher Education. (2017).
  • Other, (2010).
  • Dissertation Committee Chair, Counseling and Higher Education. (2019 - 2023).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, Counseling and Higher Education. (2019 - 2022).
  • Dissertation Committee Chair, "Effective Caregiver Consultation in Play Therapy: A Program Evaluation," Counseling and Higher Education. (2016 - August 2022).
  • Dissertation Committee Co-Chair, Counseling and Higher Education. (August 2019 - December 2021).
  • Dissertation Committee Co-Chair, "Assessing the Clinical Experiences and Attitudes of Play Therapists Working with Children of Parental Substance Use," Counseling and Higher Education. (2015 - December 2021).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, "Relational and Social-Cognitive Predictors of PTSD in U.S. Combat Veterans: A Path Analysis," Counseling and Higher Education. (2019 - May 2021).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, "Outdoor Child-Centered Play Therapy with Attention and Social-Emotional Competencies in Children," Counseling and Higher Education. (2017 - May 2021).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, "Factors Impacting Multicultural Teaching Competence among Counselor Educators: Ethnic/Racial Identity Development and Social Justice Orientation," Counseling and Higher Education. (2016 - May 2021).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, Counseling and Higher Education. (2015 - 2020).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, "The Experiences of Black Transracially Adoptive Parents," Counseling and Higher Education. (2015 - August 2020).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, "Development and Exploration of the Crucial Cs Self Report Instrument," Counseling and Higher Education. (2015 - August 2020).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, "Every Body Matters: College-Aged Women's Experiences of Body Positivity and Self-Acceptance," Counseling and Higher Education. (2016 - May 2020).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, Counseling and Higher Education. (2016 - May 2020).
  • Dissertation Committee Chair, "CHILD-CENTERED CANINE-ASSISTED THERAPY: AN INVESTIGATIVE LOOK AT INTEGRATING THERAPY DOGS INTO CHILD-CENTERED PLAY THERAPY," Counseling and Higher Education. (2015 - December 2019).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, "The Effectiveness of Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) for Fathers," Counseling and Higher Education. (2015 - December 2019).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, "Child Centered Play Therapy and Adverse Childhood Experiences: Effectiveness on Impulsivity and Inattention," Counseling and Higher Education. (2015 - August 2019).
  • Other, Counseling and Higher Education. (2012 - 2016).
  • Dissertation Committee Chair, Counseling and Higher Education. (2012 - 2016).
  • Other, Counseling and Higher Education. (2012 - 2016).
  • Other, (2013 - 2015).
  • Other, Counseling and Higher Education. (2011 - 2015).
  • Other, Counseling and Higher Education. (2011 - 2015).
  • Other, Counseling and Higher Education. (2011 - 2015).
  • Other, Counseling and Higher Education. (2011 - 2015).

Awards and Honors

  • Outstanding Practitioner Supervisor Award, Rho Kappa Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota. (October 2023).
  • Outstanding Lecturer Award, College of Education. (2011).

Research

Published Intellectual Contributions

    Book

  • Giordana, M., Landreth, G., Jones, L.A. (2009). A practical handbook for building the play therapy relationship. Korean Translation. Hakjisa.
  • Gioradano, M., Landreth, G., Jones, L.A. (2005). A practical handbook for building the play therapy relationship. Jason Aronson.

    • Book Chapter

  • Jones, L. (2019). Adjunct, Part-Time Faculty, and Nontenured Positions in Counselor Education. Counselor Education in the 21st Century. 129-148. Alexandria, VA, American Counseling Association.
  • Jones, L.A., Baggerly, J., Ray, D., Bratton, S. (2010). High school students as therapeutic agents with young children. John Wiley.

    • Journal Article

  • Beijan, L., Elizabeth, P., Jones, L.A., Jackson, D., Legacy, B. A consensual qualitative analysis of counselor educators’ experiences incorporating neuroscience. 247-261.
  • Lindsay, T., Leslie, J. (2019). Person-Centered Supervision: A Realistic Approach to Practice Within Counselor Education. 1 (2) Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. https://trace.tennessee.edu/tsc/
  • Lindo, N.A., Dillman Taylor, D., Meany-Walen, K., Purswell, K., Jayne, K., Gonzalez, T., Jones, L.A. (2014). Teachers as therapeutic agents: Perceptions of a school-based mental health initiative.. 42 284-296.
  • Bratton, S.C., Ceballos, P.L., Sheely, A., Meany-Walen, K., Pronchenko, Y., Jones, L.A. (2013). Child-centered play therapy compared to mentoring as a Head Start mental health intervention: Effects on children exhibiting disruptive behavior in the classroom.. International Journal of Play Therapy. 2 28-42.
  • Jones, L.A., Rubin, L. (2005). PT 101: Teaching introduction to play therapy at the graduate level. International Journal of Play Therapy.
  • Bratton, S., Ray, D., Rhine, T., Jones, L.A. (2005). The efficacy of play therapy with children: A meta-analytic review of treatment outcomes. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice.
  • Jones, L.A., Rhine, T., Bratton, S. (2002). High school students as therapeutic agents with young children experiencing school adjustment difficulties: The effectiveness of a filial therapy training model. International Journal of Play Therapy.
  • Ray, D., Bratton, S., Rhine, T., Jones, L.A. (2001). The effectiveness of play therapy: Responding to the critics. International Journal of Play Therapy.

Presentations Given

  • A Both/And Proposition: The Function of Clinical Faculty in Counselor Education Programs, (2012 - 2012).
  • The use if expressive arts in the supervision process., (2011 - 2011).
  • The Use of Expressive Arts in the Supervision Process, (2011 - 2011).
  • Expressive Arts in Play Therapy Across the Lifespan: Therapeutic Use of Symbol, Image and Metaphor., (2010 - 2010).
  • Sandtray Therapy., (2010 - 2010).
  • Filial Therapy with Fathers of Disabled Children., (2005 - 2005).
  • Play Therapy with Gifted Children., (2005 - 2005).
  • Introduction to Play Therapy, (2004 - 2004).
  • Play Therapy with Adolescents, (2004 - 2004).
  • Filial therapy with high school students, (2003 - 2003).
  • Working together: Group play and activity therapy, (2003 - 2003).
  • Filial/Family Play Therapy: A Ten Week Model, (2002 - 2002).
  • Meta-Analysis of six decades of play therapy research., (2002 - 2002).
  • Supervision at its best: Brining out the best in counselors., (2002 - 2002).
  • Thinking systemically in supervision: Working with children and families., (2002 - 2002).
  • Filial Therapy in a High School Curriculum., (2000 - 2000).
  • Research Update: A Meta-Analysis of 6 Decades of Play Therapy Research., (2000 - 2000).
  • Teaching Tools of Communication to Enhance Parent-Child Relationships, (2000 - 2000).
  • Supervision 2000: Training on the World Wide Web., (1999 - 1999).

    • Keynote/Plenary Address

  • Jones, L.A. (Author & Presenter), Texas Association for Play Therapy, Strengthening Relationships in Play Therapy Supervision Through the Use of Expressive Media., Woodlands, TX, United States of America. (2025 - 2025).

    • Lecture

  • Chandler, C.K. (Author & Presenter), Cartwright, A.D. (Author & Presenter), Jones, L.A. (Author & Presenter), 16 hours of a 40 hour instititute, state invited major speaker, Institute in Counselor Supervision, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States of America. (2018 - 2018).

    • Oral Presentation

  • Jones, L.A. (Presenter), Center for Play Therapy Contracted Training, Introduction to Child Centered Play Therapy: History and Benefits of Play, Gainseville ISD, Gainseville, ISD, United States of America. (2025 - 2025).
  • Jones, L.A. (Presenter), Ceballos, P. (Presenter), Association for Play Therapy Annual Conference, Understanding Parents Through a Cultural Lens: Considerations in CPRT, Houston, TX, United States of America. (2025 - 2025).
  • Jones, L.A. (Presenter), CCPT Certification Training, CCPT 101 Certification Training, Center for Play Therapy, live online, United States of America. (2025 - 2025).
  • Jones, L.A. (Presenter), CCPT Certification Training, Intensive Supervision, Center for Play Therapy, Denton, TX, United States of America. (2025 - 2025).
  • Jones, L.A. (Presenter), CCPT Certification Training, CCPT 101 Certification Training, Center for Play Therapy, live online, United States of America. (2025 - 2025).
  • Jones, L.A. (Presenter), CCPT Certification Training, CCPT 101 Certification Training, Center for Play Therapy, live online, United States of America. (2025 - 2025).
  • Jones, L.A. (Presenter), CPRT Certification Training, CPRT 102 Certification Training, Center for Play Therapy, Denton, TX, United States of America. (2025 - 2025).
  • Jones, L. (Presenter), CCPT 101 Training, CCPT 101: Child-Centered Play Therapy Practice and Application, Center for Play Therapy, Denton, TX, United States of America. (2024 - 2024).
  • Jones, L. (Presenter), CCPT 101 Training, CCPT 101: Child-Centered Play Therapy Practice and Application, The College of William and Mary, Online Training, United States of America. (2024 - 2024).
  • Jones, L.A. (Presenter), Intensive Supervision, Intensive Supervision, Center for Play Therapy, Denton, TX, United States of America. (2024 - 2024).
  • Jones, L.D. (Presenter), Martinez, A. (Presenter), Texas Association for Play Therapy Annual Conference, “Not for the faint of heart”: Child-centered play therapy, Texas Association for Play Therapy, Arlington, TX, United States of America. (2024 - 2024).
  • Jones, L. (Presenter), CCPT 101 Training, CCPT 101: Child-Centered Play Therapy Practice and Application, Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center, Cleburne, TX, United States of America. (2023 - 2023).
  • Jones, L. (Presenter), CCPT 102 Training, CCPT 102: Child-Centered Play Therapy Practice and Application, UNT Center for Play Therapy, Denton, TX, United States of America. (2023 - 2023).
  • Jones, L.A. (Presenter), Walker, M. (Presenter), Annual conference of the Texas Association of Play Therapy, Expressive art supervision: Facilitating play therapis’s self awareness and development, San Antonio, TX, United States of America. (2023).
  • Jones, L. (Presenter), CPRT 102 Training, CPRT 102: Advanced CPRT Practice and Application, Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida, Panama City Florida, United States of America. (2023 - 2023).
  • Jones, L. (Presenter), CPRT 101 Training, CPRT 101: Foundations in Child Parent Relationship Training, Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida, Panama City Florida, United States of America. (2023 - 2023).
  • Jones, L. (Presenter), CCPT 101 Training, CCPT 101: Child-Centered Play Therapy Practice and Application, Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida, Panama City Florida, United States of America. (2023 - 2023).
  • Jones, L. (Presenter), Contracted Training for the Center of Play Therapy, Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) Training, South Dakota State University, Sioux Falls, SD, United States of America. (2023 - 2023).
  • Jones, L.A. (Presenter), CCPT 101 Certification Training, Grand Prairie ISD, Gran Prairie, TX, United States of America. (2022).
  • Jones, L.A. (Presenter), CPRT 101 Certification Training, Grand Prairie ISD, Grand Prairie, TX, United States of America. (2022).
  • Jones, L.A. (Presenter), CPRT 102 Certification Training, Grand Prairie ISD, Grand Prairie, TX, United States of America. (2022).
  • Jones, L.A. (Presenter), Chung, R. (Presenter), Iliff, T. (Presenter), annual conference of the Texas Association of Play Therapy, Transformation through Creativity: Integrating Expressive Arts with Adolescents Through a Humanistic Lens, Austin, TX, United States of America. (2022).
  • Jones, L. (Presenter), Regine, R. (Presenter), Iliff, T. (Presenter), Texas Association for Play Therapy, Transformation through Creativity: Integrating Humanistic Expressive Arts with Adolescents, Texas Association for Play Therapy, Austin, TX, United States of America. (2022 - 2022).
  • Talley, L. (Presenter), Jones, L. (Presenter), Texas Association for Play Therapy 2019 Conference, From Axline to Fido: Integrating a therapy dog into child-centered play therapy, Texas Association for Play Therapy, Austin, TX, United States of America. (2019).
  • Talley, L. (Presenter), Jones, L. (Presenter), Texas Association for Play Therapy 2018 Conference, Digging in the sandbox: An explorative look at therapy dogs in play sessions, Austin, TX, United States of America. (2018).
  • Schulz, L.L. (Author & Presenter), Jones, L.A. (Author & Presenter), The Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC) Conference, Incorporating creativity: The expressive arts meets the clinical sequence., Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC), San Antonio, TX, United States of America. (2015 - 2015).
  • Kelly, C., Terra, W., Jones, L.A., Schulz, L.L., Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES), A both/and proposition: The function of clinical faculty in counselor education programs., Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES), Birmingham, AL, (2014 - 2014).
  • Jones, L.A. (Presenter), Lindo, N.A. (Presenter), Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Expressive arts and supervision, Savannah, GA, United States of America. (2012 - 2012).
  • Jones, L.A. (Presenter), Lindo, N.A. (Presenter), Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, The use if expressive arts in the supervision process, Nashville, TN, United States of America. (2011 - 2011).

Contracts, Grants, Sponsored Research

    Grant - Service

  • Jones, L. (Principal), "Bill Giese Memorial Grant," sponsored by Flow Healthcare Foundation, Local, $20000 Funded. (2020 - 2020).
  • Jones, L. (Principal), "Bill Giese Memorial Grant," sponsored by Flow Healthcare Foundation, Local, Funded. (2020 - 2020).
  • Jones, L.A. (Principal), "Mental Health Counseling Services and Psychoeducational Assessments for Low-Income Families and Children in Denton County," sponsored by Flow Health Care Foundation, Inc., FOND, Funded. (2020 - 2020).

Service

University Service

  • Director, Center for Play Therapy. (May 2024 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Assistant/Associate Professor Search Committee. (August 2022 - Present).
  • Co-Director, Center for Play Therapy. (May 2022 - Present).
  • Chairperson, Clinical Assistant Professor Search Committee. (August 2021 - Present).
  • Co-Chair, UNT/HSC Provost Committee. (November 2019 - Present).
  • Committee Member, President Mental Health Sub Committee. (October 2018 - Present).
  • Committee Chair, Child and Family Resource Clinic. (2017 - Present).
  • Committee Chair, Doctoral Advisement Committee. (2017 - Present).
  • Member, Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure. (2016 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Undergraduate Advisement Committee. (2011 - Present).
  • Committee Chair, Clinical Experiences Committee. (2010 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Clinical MH Counseling Program Development Committee. (2010 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Play Therapy Conferences Committee. (2010 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Department Chair Search Committee. (2016 - 2017).
  • Committee Member, Doctoral Advisory Committee. (2015 - 2017).
  • Other (Chair), Counseling and Human Development Center. (2010 - 2017).
  • Committee Chair, Clinical Assistant Professor Search Committee. (2013 - 2014).
  • Committee Member, Counseling Program Space Relocation Committee. (2012 - 2013).
  • Committee Member, Clinical Assistant Professor Search Committee. (2011 - 2012).
  • Committee Member, Undergraduate Minor Program Development Committee. (2011 - 2012).
  • Committee Member, Clinical Assistant Professor Search Committee. (2010 - 2011).
  • Committee Chair, Undergraduate Advisement Committee. (2010 - 2011).
  • Committee Chair, Undergraduate Program Minor. (2010 - 2011).

Professional Service

  • Committee Member, Association for Play Therapy Leadership Academy. (2016 - 2016).
  • Other (President), Texas Association for Play Therapy. (2013 - 2013).
  • Other (President Elect), Texas Association for Play Therapy. (2012 - 2013).
  • Other (Director at Large), Texas Association for Play Therapy. (2011 - 2012).