Counseling Client Testimonials:

I just wanted to let you know how well I’m doing. I’m very much at peace… Ideas are flowing, I feel creative and gone is the feeling of dread. . . You are a gift in my life. . . a warm, pragmatic partner in my journey to live a good and fulfilling life. Thank you, Jonelle.

High-tech executive, mid-forties, female

When I first met Jonelle, I was in bad shape. I was experiencing severe depression and anxiety to the extent that I was barely functioning. I had previously been to several other therapists for one or two sessions and had begun to doubt that there was help (or hope) for me. Someone I am close to and truly trust recommended Jonelle…and I think that was why I was willing to give it a shot. I am so thankful that I was willing to give one more therapist a try. My experience with Jonelle has been so healing. Her compassion is tangible, balanced with her ability to call a spade a spade. It is difficult to describe how comforting it was to know that I was safe to reveal the parts of myself so embedded with fear, shame, pain, and hopelessness. My weekly time with Jonelle became a haven of emotional safety from which I could have the courage to examine my life. Therapy (if we are being real with ourselves) can be difficult work. I am so glad that Jonelle was by my side to help me navigate the most challenging parts.

Helping Professional, mid-thirties, female

We just wanted to say thank you so much for being such a great counselor. [My husband] and I have both been to other counselors in the past but didn’t feel like they really helped that much – we appreciate what a good listener you are. You really “get” us – each of our little idiosyncrasies.

Teachers, early forties

Jonelle, I can’t thank you enough for helping [my husband] and me understand that we couldn’t put off getting [our adolescent daughter] into [drug] treatment. We have been in the program for three months now, and she is doing so well. Her grades are improving, and her motivation to do something with her life is back. (She understands that if she wants to be an environmentalist, she actually has to pass a science class!) If you hadn’t used your “tough love” on [my husband] and me, we would still be saying, "It's just pot" and we wouldn’t understand that we were part of the problem and needed to change. The hard part was admitting how my husband's use of marijuana had affected our daughter, even though he always tried to hide it. When her treatment is finished, we hope to come back to see you so we can keep working to make our family stronger and keep [our daughter] going in the right direction.

Parents of three, mid-forties

Jonelle is a real person. She cares about me. I saw three counselors before, and Jonelle is the first one I like. She helps me talk to my parents. My best friend wishes she could see Jonelle because her counselor doesn’t look at her and just takes notes the whole time.

Fourteen year-old high school student, female

I am writing from [large city in a different state] to tell you that I finally fulfilled my dream to move here. I’m living in a tiny apartment and paying way too much, but it’s truly what I want. Without you to help me deal with my fears, I’d still be in the same place, doing the same thing, and longing for something different. I feel free from the past hurts that held me back and have learned to say "no" to people who want to use or abuse me. I know that the second half of my life will be much happier and full than the first half. Thanks for helping me set myself free!

Artist and former homemaker, mid-fifties, female.

Jonelle, thank you from my heart for your counsel, your compassion, your humor, and for your deep, loving heart. Especially, thank you for seeing and valuing me for who I am. Your faith in me has helped me see who I really am and what I really can do. You have restored my hope and my internal compass. The dials were spinning out of control. Now I don't fear the fear anymore. I face it and deal with it!

Entrepeneur and grandmother, late fifties

I told my wife I was against counseling. I thought we could solve our own problems without a therapist. [My wife] said we had been trying for years and things were worse. The minute I met Jonelle, I liked her. It was like talking to a friend. After the first meeting, I looked forward to it, but I didn’t tell my wife until after we’d been going a few times. Jonelle doesn’t take sides with my wife just because they are both women. She understands the guy’s point of view. We are doing so much better with the tools Jonelle taught us. She calls her office the B.S.-free Zone and that’s what it is. She says we can come back anytime if we need a tune-up.

Line worker, mid-forties, male

Our marriage is so much stronger than when we first came to see you. I was really thinking divorce would eventually happen. Now, I don’t see that will ever happen. We work through things now, and we are much stronger as a couple. We communicate a lot more, and a lot more openly and effectively. We talk about why we do things rather than just criticizing. We’re both more receptive to listening. We’re hanging in there with conflict until we reach a real resolution. I’m recognizing when I need to admit I’m wrong. We’re both saying "sorry" sooner. We don’t stay "pissed". We talk about it. The love, trust and respect in our relationship are a lot stronger. We now have a real marriage.

Accounting administrator, wife and mother, age 30

Jonelle, thanks so much for the help you’ve given me. Coming from a life of abuse, neglect and disappointment, I always felt like I was fighting an uphill battle just to feel normal. For year and years, I felt full of hang-ups and I felt like an outsider, different than everyone else. Then one day after telling you about my hang-ups and saying I don’t know why I have them, you replied, “Those aren’t hang-ups, they’re called morals.” From then on, I began to see and accept my true self. You have the heart to truly see inside me and help repair the damage. You have let me see myself through your eyes – which is incredibly encouraging. You have helped my hope to sprout and bloom. You’ve helped me water my dreams. You were destined to be a counselor, Jonelle. You’re the only counselor I ever recommend, and I have, to many!

Artist, writer, wife and mother, mid forties

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Jonelle Richards, LCSW
503-639-2390
info@portlandlifecounseling.com

Portland Life Counseling
7100 SW Hampton Street
Suite 128
Portland, OR 97223