Results not guaranteed. The following reviews are true and from real former clients. Names changed for confidentiality.
REVIEWS are in...
“We asked the internet who was the best marriage counselor. It gave us Shannon Batts. She has changed our way of thinking about each other and how to talk to each other without making the spouse feel like they are being attacked. Menopause just about ruined my marriage. With Shannon helping us to realize what we were doing, she opened my eyes to a new way of thinking, and how destructive I was in fight or flight. Total transformation in our marriage is what Shannon has done for us. Shannon has helped us get rid of old family ways of lack of praise, not expressing thankfulness, or love, and using strong language in our marriage. Shannon gave us tools of thought to go home and practice with, to learn how to be with each other without all the negative." ~ J. 
"Originally, I attended one of Shannon’s women’s workshops to try to get a handle on my anger issues, which were taking much of the joy out of my longtime marriage. I found the workshop so helpful in showing me the ways to stay positive during conflict, to stay with the issue and to “start soft” when detailing my complaints to my partner. Later, when the same issues cropped up again and my husband said he would go into therapy with me, I called Shannon for couple’s counseling. The more intensive therapy really helped, and having my partner there with me so we could get to the issues and work with them together, with Shannon’s guidance, was invaluable. I discovered that “flooding” was a real problem for me, that I was allowing my fight-or-flight reactions compel me to escalate in an argument. I was letting my fight-or-flight response run my life, causing pain and trouble in my marriage. Shannon provided various tools for me to get a handle on my out-of-control adrenaline responses and in our therapy sessions she worked with my husband and me to resolve and heal our conflicts. I recommend Shannon Batts to any couple trying to better navigate the difficulties and challenges of building and maintaining a loving, healthy, mutually supportive life-
partnership." ~ C. 
"Shannon's Aftermath class was a great way for my partner and I to see the Gottman tools in action. We saw the pitfalls we make in our own reconciliation attempts, and walked away with material to work on for our next "regrettable incident." Highly relevant, informative, and...despite being a workshop on disagreements - non confrontational and supportive!" ~ "Blake"
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“Shannon Batts has the passion for helping couples develop healthier, happier relationships. She is true to the best evidence that exists regarding couples therapy. She is down to earth, warm and very funny.” ~Nikki Johnson, MA, Founder of Daystar Education, Inc, providing training in the addictions counselor field. 
"I wanted to let you know you were the first person to open my eyes to the possibility of living my life as the real me. At the time it only seemed like an impossible dream with so many barriers. Today I’m at work as (my newly transitioning gender). I know there will always be drama in my life because of my decision to come out but would rather deal with the negative external influences than the internal ones that tortured my mind and soul my whole life. Thanks." ~ "Abby"
“I was in a very unhealthy relationship and was at wits end on what I could do to improve it. I asked my fiance’ to participate with me in counseling which he refused to do. I decided to go to counseling by myself. Shannon Batts was extremely professional, kind, helpful, understanding and patient with me. With Shannon’s expertise, I came to the realization that I was engaged to a narcissist and that no matter what I attempted to do or did in the relationship, it would never be a happy one. At the time I was going through this, my heart felt like it was being ripped out of my chest. I cannot express in words how grateful I am that I found Shannon because if it were not for her, I would be married to that narcissist today. I learned many things about myself which I use every day and am so grateful! Thank you, Shannon!" ~ "Swan" 
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“The best of the best!
As a therapist myself I wholeheartedly and professionally recommend Shannon Batts for personal or marriage counseling. She has many personality qualities and skills that make her effective and enjoyable, including the art to counseling that cannot be taught, that comes in a counselor's "bedside manner." Shannon has a very warm, nurturing, caring demeanor. She was very honest but never shamed or guilted. Though infidelity was a topic of counseling we never felt judged or rejected even when homework was not completed or honesty wasn't given. Shannon is truly a strengths based therapist as she sees the positive in others and helps to bring that out. She is also "real," engaged in the process, alert, not one of those therapists who just smiles and nods. She shares in emotions with you and doesn't get offended if cursing occurs. In addition to her artistry she is highly educated and very skilled in the Gottman model. Shannon truly follows the model in that she helps couples to form a foundation of positivity for each other on which they build from. Couples don't "duke it out" with big issues when they have no foundation as this will only tear them apart. Many therapists have a hard time directing clients to stay in this model, Shannon does not. She has the assertiveness to keep couples on track. Shannon has an extreme dedication to the couple and willingness to help at any level needed. When my husband and I were heading in the right direction we didn't need a great deal of support and Shannon honored that. However, when we were off course and going downhill, she was happy to see us more often, provide phone coaching sessions, and exchange emails and text messages as needed. This was priceless as it kept us on track when we were derailed and heading for disaster. It is VERY hard if not impossible to find an outpatient therapist willing to provide this level of support. She also provided dozens of resources for us to access: books, audiobooks, support groups, medical providers, weekend retreats, and more. I have no reservation in recommending Shannon for any client. I send my friends, my fellow therapists, and any couple I cannot see in my own practice to her." ~ "Sita" 
"I wasn't sure how to adequately capture our work with Shannon immediately after we graduated-but it's been about a year now, and there's been a lasting positive impact from our time with her.
I often describe our experience as one of having a great communications coach. We were stuck in unhelpful patterns of petty disagreements and fights and didn't know how to resolve them or move past them. While we still run into conflicts, we now have tools to get through them. We better understand how important it is to keep up the positives in our relationship on a day-to-day basis to maintain a solid foundation: less scorekeeping of what the other isn't doing, and more appreciation for what she is doing. We recently welcomed our second child, and even with less sleep we're managing this big transition wonderfully. We have a joint vision for our future as a family that we're working towards together. I'm so grateful we were able to get to this place, after originally feeling like we were on the path to a split." - "Eliana" |
“Shannon Batts is a creative counselor who cares deeply about the work of healing. Her intention is to create an environment of well-being for all. She's an expert in helping couples to find how they can better connect; she is gifted at helping individuals reconnect with their own inner lives and best selves. She is unafraid to go with her clients into their deepest places, and walk with them out into the light of life, love, and wellness." ~Rev. Sandie Richards, while Minister of Church in Ocean Park, First United Methodist, Santa Monica, CA.
(Note from Shannon: Sandie witnessed a number of my projects including an interactive presentation I delivered for her church, my performance autobiography show, and consultations for communication issues within the church community.
"Shannon was warm, compassionate, and an excellent listener and guide during our sessions. She always provided a wealth of insight and wisdom. We had other therapists in the area but none were as helpful, dedicated, intelligent, and genuinely kind as Shannon Batts. What I like the most is that I could reach out to her any day or time for advice or concerns by text and emails with no extra charge.
Shannon helped me to love myself and taught me that I am responsible for my own feelings, thoughts and actions. I also learned that a healthy relationship is one in which both partners are actively supportive and encouraging for each other. I feel very blessed that I ended up here and love the counselor I chose." ~ "Emy"
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Relationship Gardening is here for your happy marriage to be-let's make it so!
Let's get you the tools that we have gleaned from the masters of happy relationships so you can shift your communication at home for: *processing conflict (instead of your knock down fight, or your cold shoulder non-fight fight. You can learn this in one session, starting with a individulaized fight or flight flood plan, with take home guides to follow on your own).
DISTANCE SESSIONS electronically by online video or text chat means you can be anywhere in the world you have an internet connection and get the support you need. Licensed Professional Counseling (C2379) via distance sessions is for OR residents. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT34477) is for CA residents Life Coaching is available for all others who are not in need of licensed professional help, but still want a boost to the next level of your quality of life. Let me know what you are looking for and we can figure out if this is available for you at Relationship Gardening. IN PERSON Portland, Oregon, no matter what state you are from, is where you can meet me one on one, or in a group setting by appointment. (In person switched to video session as of 2020) |
