Janel Ruehl (she/her)

My Background and Approach

I am a Level I Certified Restoration Therapist and have studied with Dr. T. Hargrave, the founder of the Restoration Therapy Model. I hold a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Oregon State University- Cascades, and a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Oregon. Prior to transitioning into the Mental Health field, I worked for five years in education, and more than a decade in the non-profit and local government sectors.

Why I Became a Therapist

I'm a human too! After years of struggling to understand my own anxiety and depression, I began to develop healthy coping skills through my relationships with skilled counselors and therapists. This impacted every aspect of my life, including my career in community development. Although I enjoyed working toward positive change at the community level, I realized I can make an even bigger impact by working with individuals and couples one-on-one. Now, I love to combine my belief in the power of community with my work as a counselor, helping my clients find healing connections all around them. In addition to counseling, I also continue to support a variety of non-profit organizations through grant writing, organizational development, and facilitation services. In my free time, I volunteer with several organizations focused on food security, LGBTQ+ community building, and animal welfare. I also enjoy gardening, cooking, hiking, and skiing and find deep peacefulness in nature.