While I appreciate how hard it is to assess the competency of a therapist, I have decided not to use testimonials from clients unless they are unsolicited for the following reasons:
- Asking clients to write testimonials to enhance my credibility could put them in an uncomfortable position. I believe that my clients should always feel that their therapy is about them, not me.
- Confidentiality is crucial for psychotherapy to be effective. I would feel uncomfortable asking a client to share anything that could jeopardize their trust, even unintentionally.
- The following statement appears In the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct Issued by the American Psychological Association: “Psychologists do not solicit testimonials from current therapy clients/patients or other persons who because of their particular circumstances are vulnerable to undue influence.”
Although I do not ask my clients or former clients to write testimonials on my behalf, I have included the following testimonials from other therapists who know my work, either because we have trained together or consulted with one another.
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I have known Jaylynne for 30 years, since we met at a professional training group at the Gestalt Institute of Denver in the late 1970s. Since then we have co-taught courses together through Naropa University and the Boulder Psychotherapy Institute, and we have engaged in peer consultation with one another on difficult cases as needed.
Jaylynne is an excellent teacher and an insightful, cooperative and stimulating co-teacher. She is also warm, sensitive, empathic, creative and insightful. People find her work extremely heartfelt. She is very knowledgeable about her field and is continually interested in learning new approaches.
There is no one I would recommend more enthusiastically than Jaylynne Chase-Jacobsen as a teacher, colleague and therapist.
— Betty Cannon, PhD
Author, Sartre and Psychoanalysis
President, Boulder Psychotherapy Institute
Adjunct Professor, Naropa University
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I have known Jaylynne since 1991 and have shared a close relationship with her since then — both as friends and colleagues. Jaylynne possesses tremendous warmth and empathy and is one of the most genuine individuals I have ever met. She brings these qualities to all aspects of her life, which certainly includes her work with her clients. Over the years, Jaylynne has continued to add to her exceptionally strong psychodynamic theory-base by receiving extensive training in Imago Relational Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Gestalt and EMDR. These days, Jaylynne balances her time between conducting frequent professional trainings and working directly with her clients in a clinical setting. Her combination of compassion, integrity, ethics and energy make her a highly skilled therapist. Whether she is working with individuals, groups or couples, Jaylynne brings an emotional honesty to the relationship which is transforming to those who know her.
— Julie Patterson, LCSW
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While most psychotherapists subscribe to one specific theoretical orientation (the “one size fits all” approach), Jaylynne has developed expertise and obtained certification in several approaches. She brings her breadth of knowledge, wisdom and collaborative style to creating and guiding the psychotherapy that is likely to be most effective for a particular client or couple. Clients invariably find her warm, present and highly related.
— Ellen Greenhouse, PhD
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As an advanced practice nurse/mental health professional who has practiced in the community for many years, I have come to know many therapists over those years. I first got to know Jaylynne Chase-Jacobsen as a colleague early in my career in Colorado. Even at that time (which was early in Jaylynne’s career as well), Jaylynne struck me as a person/therapist with incredible empathy. She had a unique ability to connect with the individuals she worked with, regardless of their background or the problems they were struggling with. Jaylynne’s ability to connect has remained remarkable. Over the years Jaylynne has continued to seek out information and training on therapeutic practices that have been demonstrated to have positive results; she is not content to rely only on what’s worked in the past, rather she is always seeking information that might improve her practice.
Jaylynne is a professional whom I continue to refer friends and colleagues to – she is among the best.
— Jo Anne Doherty, MS, RN, CNS
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I have known Jaylynne for a number of years as a colleague and as a friend. Over the years we have come to know each other’s work intimately through intensive trainings, consultation groups, and professional organizations.
Jaylynne is a seasoned psychotherapist, one who continues to push the boundaries of learning in a variety of fields. She is wise, sensitive and sophisticated in her work and she uses her many special approaches with care and expertise, always keeping the needs of her clients in mind.
Above all, Jaylynne is a bright and warm clinician and a fine human being, to boot. I respect and admire Jaylynne and I recommend her highly.
— Marilla Senterfit, M.A., L.P.C., C.A.C. III
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Jaylynne is one of those rare psychotherapists who personally embodies the truth she shares with clients. Jaylynne’s life experience and lived wisdom are foundational to her abundant compassion and her ability to perceive deeply nuanced meanings about life and growth. Her commitment to her own personal development provides a genuine and authentic resonance to the experiences of her clients.
— Sue Lawson, M.A.
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Jaylynne Chase-Jacobsen is one of the more attuned and intuitive therapists in our community. She combines her natural warmth with a keen intelligence, and gets to “the heart of the matter” with her clients in a gentle way. Jaylynne has many years of experience as a therapist. Experience and talent is a winning combination that she offers to her clients.
— Susan Hubbard, LCSW
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