"You have helped save my life! I am actually feeling JOY today! Thank you, ---J.F."

"Thank you for your interest in my services. I look forward to being of service."   

--- Dr. Richards

Taking the first step may take a lot of soul-searching and courage. Releasing the belief that you must handle this by yourself may require humility. Admitting that you tried everything you could but nothing worked requires the strength to ask for help. Calming your fears about the unknown...therapy and what the resulting new life will look like...requires a fierceness to create the life you want.

It may also mean accepting that you are not a special case, irreparably broken, or that your issue is not so difficult that no one can help you. Choosing a therapist and letting go of the search for the perfect therapist, since there's no such person, may reduce and truncate your suffering. Discarding all your preconceived negative notions about what it says about you if you seek therapy requires hope and faith.

Simply, making a healing, human connection with your therapist who is committed to putting your best interest first can make all the difference. Once you have embraced these qualities, you may be ready to step through the open door to healing, growth, and new possibilities.

Scheduling a FREE phone consultation appointment with your therapist is the first step towards a healthier, more enjoyable life. Psychotherapy may greatly improve your emotional well-being and relationships.

After you take that first step, your therapist will work in lock-step with you on your journey. Your therapist will guide you step-by-step as you make the adjustments you want to make in your life.
 

Change requires know-how. Fortunately, your therapist is easy to talk to and yet a highly trained expert in change. She will lead you in a series of healing conversations and activities.

Opening up your soul to a stranger requires a great deal of trust. Rest assured that whatever you share from your heart will be treated with the utmost respect, care, and confidentiality unless otherwise required by law. By sharing, you and your therapist can work together to explore insights and solutions for your situation. Our practice provides a comfortable, emotionally safe, and private setting for you to share your feelings.

Complete the questionnaire to schedule an appointment for a FREE phone consultation. Then learn more about how we can help you discover your joy for life.

You don't have to do this alone. Allow your therapist to come alongside you on your journey to healing. 

Connect with your therapist who will listen deeply, withhold judgment, express warmth, and be genuinely empathetic. Your secrets are safe with your therapist (with a few legal exceptions for safety reasons).

You will receive a thorough assessment. Goals will be set so you can see a clear path to your desired outcome. Your therapist will develop an effective treatment plan so that you may take the direct route to accomplishing your goals.

Your therapist will provide cutting-edge, evidence-based, and trauma-informed interventions. You will be encouraged to learn how to cope, navigate challenging relationships, unravel the past's impact on your present, and evaluate long-held ideas that may no longer serve you. You will be coached to practice your new-found skills, perspectives, behaviors, and interactions.

Schedule an appointment for a 15-minute FREE phone consultation. Just complete the questionnaire. Then check your email (or SPAM folder) for a message. Use the link in the message to schedule your 15-minute FREE phone consultation. Then begin the journey to discover your joy for life!

• Depression/Grief              * Transition to:
• Mood Swings                            Marriage
• Anger/Overreaction                   Parenthood
• Anxiety/Panic                           Empty Nest
• Pessimism/Negativity        * Intrusive In-laws
• Overwhelm                      * Extended Family Conflict
• Sleeplessness                   * Job Stress/Roles Strain
• Excessive Sleep                * Adverse Childhood Events
• Emotional Eating               * Unfair Division of Labor
• Social Isolation                 * Domestic Violence
• Feeling Helpless                * Isolation
• Feeling Hopeless               * Relocation/Move
• Feeling Worthless              * Illness
• Trauma Symptoms            * Financial Strain 
• Lack of Purpose                * Dying and Death

• Single Life                           * Addiction  
• Premarital Counseling           * Affair               
• Communication                    * Divorce
• Sexual Issues                      * Fall from Grace
• Couple Conflicts                   * Toxic Workplace
• Addiction                             * Domestic Violence
• Adult Children of Alcoholics   * First Responders 
• Absent/Toxic Parents            * Stressful Jobs
• Challenging Teens                * Military Life
• Extended Family                  * Military Family Reunification                       * PTSD
• Trauma Survivor                  * Illness
• Unforgiveness                     * Death
• Cut off                              
• Spirituality/Faith

Dr. Michelle J. Richards is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist-Supervisior (LMFT-S). She is the founder and Executive Director of the Joyful Life Institute, Inc. In addition, she has three decades of experience supporting others with their everyday problems in living, crises, traumas, PTSD, workplace, and family issues. 
 

Print, radio, and TV media have sought her expertise. Most notably, she was a guest expert on the internationally syndicated television show, The Oprah Winfrey Show. She is the author of the eguidebook and ejournal, "Fighting Fairly." 

Her primary clinical approaches are Family Systems Therapies, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychoeducation, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and Pastoral Counseling.

Dr. Richards is a TX state-licensed therapist serving the entire state of Texas. She offers individual, couple, family, group, and intensive therapy to help you overcome life's challenges. 

 What People are Saying about Dr. Richards

© 2006-2025 Joyful Life Institute, Inc.

All Rights Reserved.