A Path With Heart Counseling

I originally wasn't going to write this review because my mother told me not to, but I needed to express what happened somewhere, so I took it to r/therapy and asked therapists for their perspective. I forgot about that post until a year later, when I noticed many of the people commenting had urged me to share my experience in a review. So here it is. I started seeing Melinda to work through issues between me and my mother, who was abusive toward me, and I couldn't see another way of communicating with her. At first, things were going well. Melinda seemed great, my mother and I were finding some common ground, and I was feeling more capable of speaking with my mother again. However, one session was extremely off-putting. I was having trouble expressing myself, likely due to brain fog, and I found it hard to communicate clearly. As I struggled to explain something that mattered to me, I noticed Melinda repeatedly making facial expressions that felt belittling, expressions that made me feel stupid, like my thoughts didn't matter. Worse, when I brought up a topic that was important to me, she kept brushing it off, saying things like, "Oh, that's the past, it's meaningless to bring it back up." That hurt. It felt dismissive and invalidating. The session was over Zoom, which already makes it harder for me to express myself, and her reactions made everything worse. When she dismissed what I was saying and continued making those expressions, I got upset and raised my voice, not because of the topic itself, but because I felt humiliated and disrespected by someone who's supposed to be a professional. She didn't like that, which I understand. I've reflected on the fact that I raised my voice and that the session ended abruptly. But I also believe a therapist, especially one with a PhD, should maintain the professionalism needed to prevent things from escalating like that. I talked to my personal therapist and some therapists on reddit about it at the time. I was able to feel confident enough to post this review. Melinda wasn't terrible. I just think maybe she was having an off-day. Unfortunately, after that, my relationship with my mother has worsened slowly.

A Path With Heart Counseling and more specifically my counselor Dora Sandoval LCSW, to whom is only one of many counselors, have been a absolute miracle in my life through an extremely rough time. Dora Sandoval, is a dedicated counselor in every way possible and has completely helped me change my entire outlook towards my situation and my life altogether. She listens to me and my issues, with undivided attention and always knows exactly what to say not only to make me feel better, but to help me understand and proceed in my life with a more positive outlook. She genuinely cares about her clients and loves to see us moving forward and getting better in every aspect of our lives. A Path With Heart should change their name to A Path With Heart and Healing because that is exactly what I have been doing since I started seeing my counselor Dora Sandoval. She is highly educated and skilled in her profession and uses the best treatments to help me find myself again and to love myself and be proud of who I am and who I have become since I started my counseling. I have been to Counseling several times in my life but never with a life changing outcome that I have gotten from her. She has changed my life for the better in every way possible and I am so grateful for her and for A Path With Heart. If you are going through a hard time in your life and looking for the right path then you should definitely try A Path With Heart Counseling. Once again, I don't know where I would be right now without them and without my amazing Counselor Dora. I am so grateful for them and would recommend them and her specifically to anyone needing guidance and counseling in their life. Thank you to A Path With Heart Counseling and more specifically and importantly, thank you to my awesome and highly skilled and caring counselor, Dora Sandoval...

Dana has provided me with such a wonderful experience through our sessions since I have been coming to A Path With Heart. He doesn’t just listen, he truly gives you solutions that work for you & your situation based on what you’re capable of. I truly feel myself becoming a better version of me after every session & I have been healing every aspect of my life along the way. Dana truly makes me feel seen & heard through every bump in the road that I may face or have faced. Healing is not linear, but Dana has absolutely made the road to healing feel safe. I have never had a therapist truly show me that they want the best for me, Dana proved to me that I am capable of anything I put my mind to & encourages me not only with verbal affirmations, but solutions. Pictured is a rose given to me after a session where we decided it was time to take action & grow- it meant so much to me to be given that rose to encourage me to make sure I was getting what I deserved in all aspects of my life. I am so grateful to have found A Path With Heart & to have the privilege to work with Dana to improve my quality of life mentally, spiritually & intentionally.

I have known Dana for quite a few years now and he has helped me through some major life transitions, both good and bad, always with a positive and encouraging attitude. He is goal oriented and realistic about life situations. He is never judgmental, he understands where you are coming from and meets you where you are. He is amazing and I honestly don't know where I would be without him.

I could not recommend Dana Paine more highly. He truly is a gifted counselor and life coach. I was skeptical at first (by nature), but Dana won me over very quickly. He doesn't pull any punches and if you're off track he'll let you know, but he's always there for you regardless of where you are. He provides an excellent support system, which is especially great if you don't already have one at home. If you let him, he'll guide you through all of the changes you want to make with your life.