Jo-Ann & Heart Stone
The meaning behind Heart Stone
Heart Stone is rooted in the simple practice of mindful awareness: slowing down enough to notice the details around us, finding connection in unexpected places, and recognizing the small things that hold meaning.
Many of us have stumbled upon a heart-shaped stone while walking, collected them over time, or given one to someone as a small gesture of connection and care. In this way, the heart stone becomes a metaphor for what I hope Heart Stone can offer: small moments of meaning, connection, reflection, and discovery that we can carry with us and share with others.
As Heart Stone continues to grow beyond counseling to include yoga, embodiment, wellness, and community, this idea will remain at the center: creating spaces to pause, notice, connect, learn, and share what we find along the way.
My Approach
I’m Jo-Ann Venezia Phillips, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), psychotherapist, 500-hour Certified Yoga Teacher, and Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Facilitator (TCTSY-F).
My work is grounded in a holistic understanding of human experience, recognizing the interconnectedness of mind, body, relationships, and the environments in which we live. Over more than 20 years in clinical practice, I’ve remained curious about how our experiences shape us, how those experiences live with us, and how connection can support healing, growth, and change.
My approach draws from relational, somatic, depth-oriented, and mindfulness-based practices. I’m particularly interested in embodiment, our awareness of internal experience, and the role of authentic human connection in healing. I believe meaningful work begins with curiosity, collaboration and an appreciation for each person’s unique experience.
The principles of Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga have further shaped how I approach this work, deepening my understanding of choice, agency, present-moment awareness, and the importance of honoring our own experience. Across my clinical work, yoga teaching, and community involvement, I strive to create spaces where people can explore at their own pace, develop greater self-understanding, and discover what feels supportive to them.
For me, this work is as much about how we connect as it is about what we do. I value warmth, humor, compassion, and the opportunity to learn alongside others. I see each person as the expert in their own lived experience, and I believe that meaningful change can emerge when we have the space to be curious, feel connected, and find our own way forward.