Our Story

Real Life Counseling was founded in 2010 by Joe Klemz and Justin Farrell with a clear and compassionate vision: to create a space where clinicians could build empowered, sustainable careers while helping meet the growing mental health needs of Clark County, WA. From the start, RLC set out to offer the freedom and flexibility of private practice, supported by strong administrative systems that allow clinicians to focus on what matters most—caring for their clients.

Joe began with a small group of dedicated providers and a desire to bring private-practice quality care to the broader community, complementing the work of local mental health clinics while filling in critical gaps in accessibility and approach. What started as a handful of clinicians in Clark County has now grown into a network of over 100 skilled providers serving individuals and families throughout Washington state—with multiple locations and a strong virtual presence.

As the organization grew, the ownership team expanded to include Dr. Melinda Johnson, Jason Norris, and Chris Webberley, each bringing key leadership to support RLC’s continued development.

Under Melinda’s guidance, our nationally connected internship program has skillfully trained and retained dozens of new clinicians, many of whom now serve as valued members of our team, also running their own private practice. Jason’s leadership has strengthened our commitment to clinical competency and supervision, helping shape a culture of thoughtful, high-quality care. Chris has driven administrative growth, expanding our systems, infrastructure, and support teams to meet the evolving needs of both providers and clients.

Together, the ownership team shares a unified commitment: to maintain a high standard of care, invest in both clinical and operational excellence, and build a culture that prioritizes client retention, professional development, and whole-person support—for every member of our community.

Just as our providers are committed to delivering competent, compassionate clinical care, we are equally dedicated to offering excellent administrative support. Over the years, we’ve built a strong and capable administrative team, led by Danira Diaz, Kim Watkins, Jackie Stout, Stephen Epstein, Lindsay Bamford, Lance Everling, and Jen Copelan, who each oversee and manage key departments that keep our organization running smoothly. At RLC, we make a significant investment in developing the skills and leadership potential of our support team—intentionally creating pathways for growth, mentorship, and advancement. Their expertise, innovation, and heart-centered leadership are foundational to our work, and we’re proud to say our business thrives because of the partnership between clinical care and administrative excellence.

What’s cool about RLC is that it functions more like a community than just an organization. It brings together individuals united by a shared purpose and a common set of values, while also celebrating the diverse passions, strengths, philosophies, and approaches each person brings.

Even when those differences might seem incongruent, the commitment to a shared purpose and agreed-upon values of interaction allows us to find harmony—and ultimately produce better, more impactful services for our community.