Valorie Jones, MSN, APRN, PMHNP
Valorie is a psychiatric nurse practitioner at Alleviant’s Fort Smith location. She holds a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Missouri and bachelor’s degrees in psychology from Evangel University and nursing from Southwest Baptist University.
She has had a lifelong interest in mental health, which began in a high school psychology class when she discovered a deep fascination with human behavior and the workings of the mind. In college, she majored in psychology, with a focus on psychobiology, where she gained a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between the brain and behavior. She pursued a career in nursing, where she worked primarily in oncology. During this time, she saw firsthand the immense challenges cancer patients face in maintaining their mental health while dealing with life-threatening and terminal illnesses.
“I witnessed how mental health disorders often compounded the burden of severe physical health conditions and recognized the critical need for compassionate and specialized mental health care in these situations,” Valorie said. “While I found oncology nursing rewarding, I wanted to contribute more directly to the mental health field. I wanted to provide focused care that addressed the emotional and psychological struggles I saw so many of my patients enduring. This led me to pursue advanced education and a career as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.”
When a patient or client has a positive outcome, Valorie says she feels “a profound sense of fulfillment and gratitude.”
“It’s incredibly rewarding to witness someone overcoming challenges, whether it’s managing a mental health condition, finding new coping strategies, or simply regaining a sense of hope and stability in their life,” she said.
Patients describe her as someone who is able to create a safe and supportive space where they feel heard and valued.
“I’ve been told that I have a calming presence, which helps them feel more at ease during challenging moments,” she said. “I am compassionate and use well-appointed humor, which is therapeutic and helps build relationships.”
Originally from Springfield, Mo., she came to Arkansas for her career. She is married to a Razorback alum. They have six adult children between them and two grandchildren.
Outside of work she loves spending time with her family and pets – a labradoodle named Willow and sheepadoodle named Frankie.
“I love being a grandma and traveling to see my grandkids,” she said. “I also enjoy hiking and love visiting national parks. I have a newfound enjoyment for off road driving in my 4X4 vehicle. I also enjoy reading and exploring museums.”