Our Space
Our Story

Family Ties Counseling Center was founded by us, Johanna and Jeremy Manalis, nearly a decade ago. We are a husband and wife team. Looking back, our first year of marriage was not all roses and sunshine, which is how our culture often likes to portray newlyweds. We fought long and hard that initial year. We were also taken by surprise because we both falsely thought that since we were couples therapists, we surely knew how to be married. We quickly learned that therapists also need therapy; unabashedly engaging in therapy became an essential tool for our family to get through these difficult times.
Over the years of growing our relationship and our family, many challenges have found their way into our lives. Challenges that could have easily broken and buried us as a couple and as a family. But they didn’t. They did the opposite: they taught us that if we take a risk to be vulnerable and lean into each other emotionally, we are stronger for it.
We created Family Ties Counseling Center because we were inspired to help other relationships and families learn to strengthen their connection through using their unique challenges as opportunities for growth and change.
So, we are saying that we have the perfect relationship and family, right? No way, that doesn’t exist. Do we still have struggles? Sometimes we do. But we are way more skillful in responding to them. We have each learned how to talk in such a way that invites the other person to listen. We know and understand our sensitive issues and do our best to treat them with care. We have learned what deeply nourishes the other and we each try to regularly give that to each other. Overall, we have discovered a rhythm of relating to each other that leaves us filled and satisfied.
Our team has grown to nearly 25 amazing human beings who are highly skilled professionals. We are proud of our strong reputation in the Portland area for improving the lives of the couples/relationships, families, and individuals we serve.
Our Values
Good Enough Parenting
Our clients aim to accept that they will never be the perfect parent but strive to be a good enough parent.
Prioritizing Connection
Our clients prize closeness and connection within their relationships, even if it sometimes seems difficult or even impossible to do.
Open to Change
Our clients know somewhere deep inside them that it is possible for them to change. This causes them to take risks and be courageous in their healing and therapeutic journey. Because of this, our clients are typically highly motivated individuals, couples, and families who sense their own potential.
Truth
Much of the perpetuation of suffering in this world comes from the suppression of truth. Many of our clients specifically seek out safety and support to experience and express reality without distortion and to tear down falsehood.
Inclusion
Couples and families by nature are diverse and thus come in many different formations. We welcome everyone because ALL couples and families deserve to thrive.
Willing to get Help
This willingness is essential for the successful attainment of our client’s goals. They pay money and spend their precious time because they recognize that they can’t do it alone.
Striving for Love & Respect
Our clients value cultivating as much love and respect in the close relationships of their lives, even if they may be challenged to sometimes achieve it.
Our Vision
We envision a world where people enjoy greater emotional intimacy in their close relationships, where the perspective of family is broadened, and where marginalized populations are empowered through gaining more equity.
Our Mission
We are a collaborative group practice that provides compassionate, affirming, and anti-oppressive care to serve and include all definitions of family. We believe in the strength of healing through relationships.
Our Leadership Team
Jeremy Manalis
Owner/Executive Director
Pronouns: He/Him
Diane McLendon
MCFT Internship Program Director
Pronouns: She/Her
Laurie Dotten
Clinical Director
Pronouns: She/Her
Caitlin Wilpone-Jordan
Director of Doctoral Training Program
Pronouns: She/Her
Our Admin Team


Renee Limon
Intake Specialist
Pronouns: She/Her


Nyra Gaston
Admin Specialist
Pronouns: She/Them


Laneate Vang
Intake Scheduler
Pronouns: She/Her



Kimmy Joyner
Office Manager
Pronouns: She/They