Her Story
About Monique
Monique Jones is a seasoned behavioral health and healthcare operations leader with nearly 30 years of experience across the mental health continuum. She began her career in special education during high school, which sparked a lifelong commitment to supporting individuals with complex emotional, developmental, and behavioral needs. Over the course of her career, she has worked across residential treatment facilities, psychiatric inpatient units, community-based case management, criminal justice settings, and geriatric care, building a comprehensive understanding of behavioral health systems and the diverse populations they serve.
She currently serves as an EAP Worklife Assistant Manager at Aetna, a CVS Health company, where she supervises a team of 25 professionals supporting Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services nationwide. In this role, she oversees counseling placements, financial assistance programs, and workplace support services for corporate clients across the country. She provides leadership in workforce development, operational performance, and service delivery optimization, ensuring high-quality outcomes for members navigating behavioral health concerns, financial stressors, and complex life challenges.
Monique is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Phoenix to further expand her clinical expertise and support her transition into private practice. She plans to open a telehealth counseling practice specializing in depression, schizoaffective disorder, and caregiver support. Her professional mission is centered on increasing access to compassionate, evidence-based mental health care while continuing to strengthen systems of care and promote better outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Monique
01What do you attribute your success to?
Monique attributes her success in the mental health field to a foundation of compassion, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to serving individuals during some of life’s most challenging moments. Beginning her career working with students with special needs, she developed a lifelong calling that evolved across residential treatment facilities, psychiatric hospitals, community case management, criminal justice settings, and employee assistance programs. She credits her growth to empathy, resilience, and a strong belief in treating every individual with dignity and respect, focusing on person-centered care that recognizes people beyond their diagnoses. In her current role as an Assistant Manager within CVS/Aetna’s Employee Assistance Program, she continues to apply these values while leading a team, overseeing counseling placements and financial assistance programs, and supporting organizations nationwide. She also attributes her success to continuous learning and mentorship, as she pursues her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and prepares to transition into private telehealth practice specializing in depression, schizoaffective disorder, and caregiver support, guided by her philosophy of meeting people where they are and helping them achieve stability, healing, and hope.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the most valuable lessons Monique has embraced is that every challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger rather than a reason to give up. Throughout her career, she has learned that rejection is never a final answer—it is simply motivation to continue learning, improving, and pursuing the next opportunity. That mindset has given her the resilience to navigate an ever-changing profession while remaining focused on her long-term purpose of serving others.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the mental health and healthcare industry is to seek out hands-on experience early through volunteering, internships, or entry-level roles, as these opportunities help build practical skills, confidence, and a strong foundation for long-term growth. It is essential to maintain professionalism at all times by setting clear boundaries, practicing respectful and effective communication, and developing emotional awareness, particularly in high-stress or client-facing environments. Equally important is the value of building a strong professional network and seeking mentorship, as guidance from experienced leaders can provide insight, support, and direction throughout your career journey. Staying curious and committed to lifelong learning will also position you for success in a field that is constantly evolving, ensuring you remain informed on best practices, emerging research, and innovative approaches to care.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Monique believes one of the greatest challenges facing women in behavioral health is navigating leadership opportunities while balancing the emotional demands of the profession and addressing ongoing funding limitations within mental health services. She also recognizes that women and minorities continue to face barriers in executive leadership despite the growing need for diverse perspectives. At the same time, she sees tremendous opportunities emerging through behavioral health, employee assistance programs, telehealth, and integrated care models. She believes women who combine resilience, continuous education, and compassionate leadership will play an essential role in shaping the future of mental health while expanding access to quality care for underserved communities.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Monique's life is guided by compassion, empathy, advocacy, integrity, and service. Coming from a family deeply committed to helping others, she believes meaningful change begins by treating every person with respect, regardless of their circumstances. Her work is driven by the belief that everyone deserves to be heard, supported, and given opportunities to improve their quality of life. Recognizing the emotional demands of mental health care, Monique intentionally prioritizes self-care through therapy, exercise, journaling, travel, and spending quality time with loved ones. She is intentional about maintaining healthy boundaries between work and home, understanding that caring for herself enables her to continue caring for others. Her calm, compassionate nature and commitment to lifelong growth make her both a trusted leader and a dedicated advocate for those she serves.
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