The Work Behind The Words

Dr. Gia (Giavana Jones) is an applied social psychologist, author, speaker, and mental health practitioner whose work explores the intersection of psychology, faith, emotional health, and human thriving.
Through writing, teaching, leadership, and counseling, she is known for helping individuals and communities navigate growth, healing, identity, and purpose with both scientific insight and spiritual depth.
Born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas, Dr. Gia’s work spans philanthropy, ministry, clinical practice, and public thought leadership, all centered around one core belief: transformation is possible when people are supported holistically.
Dr Gia serves as a Program Director at a private philanthropic organization based in The Bahamas, where she oversees multiple portfolios of grantmaking advancing global understanding of how religions contribute to positive human outcomes, including economic development, peacebuilding, health and wellness, and character formation. Her work includes strategic oversight of complex grant portfolios supporting research, learning, and impact across diverse religious and cultural contexts.
Dr. Gia serves as Program Director at a private philanthropic organization based in The Bahamas, where she oversees international grantmaking portfolios focused on the role of religion in advancing positive human outcomes including peacebuilding, economic development, health and wellness, and character formation.
She is also co founder of Stories of Hope, an initiative supporting youth resilience, mental health, and community transformation through consulting, program development, and systems based approaches to long term impact.
Her work consistently bridges research, practice, and lived experience helping organizations and individuals move toward sustainable growth and meaningful change.
Trained as a psychologist and mental health counselor, Dr. Gia holds two master’s degrees and an earned PhD in Applied Social Psychology from the University of Windsor in Canada, where her research focused on hope and resilience among Bahamian youth.
Alongside her broader platform work, she maintains a part time therapy practice that integrates evidence based mental health support with faith informed care.
A committed leader within Legacy Church Global, Dr. Gia recently concluded her service as Pastor of Health, helping pioneer conversations around emotional wellness, spiritual formation, and relational health within faith communities.
She continues to teach, mentor, and support leaders pursuing lives marked by wholeness, wisdom, and intentional growth.
Dr. Gia is the author of The Strong One: Redefining Strength and Finding Freedom in Your True Identity and is currently preparing a revised and expanded edition.
Her forthcoming book, Return to Rest, continues her exploration of identity, healing, leadership, and restoration through the lens of psychology and theology.
Through her writing and teaching platform, including The Well Within, she creates space for thoughtful conversations that challenge, encourage, and move people toward deeper living.
Dr. Gia lives in Nassau, Bahamas with her husband, Dayton, and their two children, Daelyn Grace and Davyn Giovanni.