Extremely kind and caring staff, they made the environment super comfortable and a safe space to be…read moreyourself!

I started treatment at A Step Forward this past May. I felt…read morean immediate comfort being there, from the welcoming by Diana in the front office, to my primary therapist Caprice Haverty MD. Since working with Caprice, she has enlightened my struggling life, and treats me with care and concern, but moreso, has been recently helping acquire special services with Kaiser Permanente by speaking to certain doctor's on my behalf about needing a 'medically necessary' medication, all the while, while she has been on vacation! And! with her help I was approved to receive the services needed through Kaiser! This is the quality of services you receive from A Step Forward/Caprice Haverty. They care about your well-being and success in life! I look forward to continue working with Caprice and her staff, indefinitely.

Had the absolute worst experience with this office. Tried to make an appointment over 2 weeks ago…read moreby calling during normal business hours. His assistant didn't answer. Got a call back from her and she told me she had to look into how to get me scheduled in, but that she would call back soon. She didn't call me back. I called to follow up with her and she said that she was going to look into it that day and that I should receive a call from her in the next 1-2 days to get scheduled. Over a week later and NO CALL back. I called them back again and it has been a few days and she has still not returned my calls. I had been waiting to book an appointment with them and they wasted my time for over 2 WEEKS. I wanted to see Dr. Aldava because of the great yelp reviews he received, but the lack of professionalism and poor service by his assistant has completely turned me off from this place. I can't speak to how Dr. Aldava is as a clinician, but his assistant is horribly incompetent. Dr. Aldava, if you care about getting new patients and not WASTING THEIR TIME I suggest you get a new assistant immediately. If you don't care then keep doing what you're doing. I wouldn't recommend this office to anyone.

I started seeing Dr Aldava when I was getting stressed out with all the care-giving I was doing for…read moremy mom, in addition to all the everyday stuff we all have to do. He really had some good insights and ways of coping with my stress that I still use. I relied on him for a lot of support through my mom's death and he's been a huge help dealing with my feelings and thoughts. I recommend him unreservedly.

I could not overstate the impact Caree has had on me and my family. While counseling support/advice…read moreis highly personal, I can attest that Caree's philosophy and approach is straightforward, simple in nature and therefore easy to apply. Listening to excellent advice is great, but actually implementing change is transformative. Caree provides easy to understand tools, that apply to real life and can be used anytime and anywhere. Her approach is underwritten by a sincere desire to listen, and allow the individual to fully express themselves before opining on what is to be done. No psychological-speak, Caree makes you comfortable because she is relatable and kind in her approach. Her office is warm and inviting - a place you're always happy to go back to. I highly recommend Caree to anyone and everyone.

Working with Caree Brown has already been a truly hopeful and meaningful experience for me and my…read moretwo adult children. We've participated in both family sessions and individual sessions, and one thing we all agree on is that she gives us hope. Her approach and techniques have been very useful so far, and even in this early stage, we can already see a light at the end of the tunnel. After meeting with her, we feel encouraged, supported, and optimistic about the healing work ahead. Caree is an excellent therapist from what I can tell, and I genuinely feel that we are in good hands. I'm grateful for her guidance and truly look forward to the growth, healing, and progress we will continue to make together. Highly recommend.

Whitney is all of the things I needed in a therapist but never experienced. I wasn't so sure after…read moreour first session if I'd be returning for a second as she offered something I wasn't ready to accept- someone who accepted me as me and created a loving, safe place for me to just be me. We joke about it all these years later, but coming back for those follow up sessions would be exactly what I needed and truthfully, what I was lacking in my life. Whitney embodies compassion, care, empathy, and love and provides the safety of allowing me to show up as I am on any given day ready to help me unpack whatever I bring her. I came to her at a point in my life when I had shattered as a person. She has been by my side through some incredibly challenging times and there isn't anyone else that I would want in my corner when life happens. Whitney is an incredible therapist. If you are looking for someone who will see you as you are, accept you as you are, and who will walk by your side as you navigate the triumphs and challenges life throws at you, she is the one you need. I think she's pretty amazing and am thankful for her every day.

A few years ago, I found myself at dark point in my life. After a whirlwind of an 8 years in which…read moreI lost some of the most important people in my life, in addition to the pandemic and the ramifications of it, I knew it was time to seek help. I tried one avenue, but it just didn't work. So I went on a search for a different therapist. And that search went on day after day, hour after hour. I spoke to some, but nothing ever felt like it was the right fit. Until one day, when I was feeling defeated, I stumbled upon Whitney. I took a look at her website and read her reviews and felt hopeful for the first time in days. From the moment I first spoke to Whitney, I knew she was the one to help me. Two years later, and I can say with absolute certainty that choosing Whitney to be my therapist was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Whitney is compassionate, thoughtful, and incredibly knowledgeable. She knows how to create a warm, comfortable and supportive environment where you feel safe to tell her all your thoughts and feelings. She's patient and kind, and never gives up on finding ways to help you. She has been such a positive light in my life, and has helped me overcome so much. While I'm still a work in progress, it's all thanks to Whitney that I have made it this far. And that is why I recommend and will always recommend Whitney. If you're looking for someone to help you get back onto the path to happiness, you've found her.

I want to say that Matt is one of the best therapists I've ever had. I've been working with Matt…read morefor about eight months now and he has helped me understand and learn more about myself than I ever had before, and that has helped me improve every aspect of my life, from work, family, friends, and even my spiritual faith. Matt has a great ability to ensure you are heard and understood while giving you the tools to truly reach your goals. And his approach is extremely goal oriented: he has regular check-ins to make sure you are moving towards the goals you have set for yourself. I highly recommend Matt!

My husband and I saw Matt for 5 months, and we were very pleased with our progress and grateful for…read morehis approach. He's structured, which holds everyone accountable and gives tangible things to work on. He frequently asks for feedback and really acts upon it. We're ending because our relationship is in a good place right now, in very large part to Matt!

Gerri was instrumental in my success with a recent medical procedure. I suffer from extreme anxiety…read moreand fear with most medical situations and I sought out Gerri's help with overcoming these fears prior to my unexpected surgery. While I didn't have time to get as many sessions as I probably needed (the surgery was scheduled the following week), my session with Gerri was so relaxing and comforting. She was warm, welcoming, and completely understanding of my fears, which many other people in the past have given me a hard time about or dismissed, including a medical doctor. With the help of her therapy and the tools she provided, I was able to channel my anxiety and overcome the fear to make it through the procedure with less upset and less distress. Truthfully, I was skeptical at first, but pursued hypnotherapy after being encouraged to try it by my physician and my husband; I am so glad I did!! I truly thank you for all of your help, Gerri!!

I saw Gerry about 9 years ago since I had a series of great experience seeing a famous…read morehypnotherapist in Chicago who resolved my sleep disorder, which I've heard is not easy to resolve. He told me that I was a great patient for hypnotherapy.. having a serious issue resolved in the most part in one session. I continued to see him and needed to listen to his recordings while I fell asleep. I am a total believe in hypnotherapy so I looked for someone in the east bay and Gerry was one of several practitioners I tried. Unfortunately, her session did nothing for any of the issues I came in for. I'm glad that others I belng helped by Gerry.. goes to show that people will be helped by different hypnotherapists. She could have also improved on her techniques : )

If what you need is a therapist who will ghost you after talking on the phone and setting up a…read morevirtual meeting for a few days later, well Terry is for you. If what you're actually looking for is a therapist who will follow-up with what they say and treat you with a little grace and respect, I suggest you look elsewhere.

I would see Terry during periods when I felt most anxious. Terry's calm, centered and thoughtful…read moreresponses, were just what I needed. I highly recommend her. Jerry K.

Terry Linscott, licensed family and marriage counselor, is just the right type of knowledgeable and…read morecaring individual that you can trust to guide you through the most difficult times. She is warm and engaging. Her style of counseling works well with all types of personalities. Appointments are easy to make and she is very responsive to telephone messages. Working out a payment schedule or dealing with your insurance is not a problem. The center is conveniently located off a main boulevard and public transportation. The facility is clean and quiet. It's a very comfortable atmosphere.

I just ended my couples appointments with Terry Linscott after two months. I did this because I…read morerarely felt heard by her and often felt like she was disregarding my feelings. Most of the sessions ended with me feeling really upset and frustrated and my husband feeling unsure of what to do next. I should say he liked it more than I did. I also never felt like she gave us any tools or structure that would help us with our issues. Most sessions just rambled about til the hour was over and then we would do the same next week. There was rarely anything to take away from it all. In addition, to me it felt very lopsided - we spent a lot of time focusing on making sure my husband felt heard and when I finally expressed to her that I wasn't feeling heard she didn't even stop to process or consider it. She did say "Fine I'll listen now" but after a month of feeling that way, just to get such a curt response with no reflection or explanation sealed the deal for me. We both ultimately felt that we gained very little from the experience. We will be looking for a new therapist.

I've been seeing Jessica for several years, and she has changed the way I understand therapy. It…read morewasn't until I met with Jessica that I truly let a therapist in. I used to hold back, saying only what felt safe. But with Jessica, that changed, and for the first time, I could just be honest and completely open. She listens in a way that makes you feel seen, not just heard. The tools she's given me aren't the kind you forget the moment you leave the room, they actually stick with you. If you're looking for a therapist who will actually meet you where you are and help you become someone stronger, more whole, more yourself, it's her. Jessica is, without exaggeration, the best therapist and one of the best human beings I have ever had the privilege of knowing.

Reached out to Jessica a few months back because I was dealing with some issues in my life and…read morewanted to get some perspective/advice from a professional. She's awesome. Easy to talk to. Great listener. Makes you feel very comfortable from the first minutes in her office. She helped me immensely. It's hard to make that first step when reaching out to a therapist. I am so glad I contacted Jessica. Highly recommend her!

Gretchen Fluegel at The Amen Clinic is amazing. She is always on top of the clients' needs and…read moreis extremely timely in her responses to my (sometimes) desperate and untimely requests or questions. Whether it is refill for my meds or help with the patient portal; I can always count on her to get back to me quickly. She is upbeat, caring, and personable. I'm not sure what the clinic or I would do without her, but I hope we won't have to ever find out!!! Thank you and God bless you, Gretchen. Lynn M

I wanted to make a further comment after receiving my scan results. I left an initial review on…read morethe Walnut Creek office. The office and staff were great! The results provided by Dr. Danial Amens appointed Doctors or should I say N.D, was not good! I came to the Amen clinic for a specialist that focuses on the Brain and perform a scan that goes beyond what an ordinary hospital or V.A can perform. I have been spent over $5200 with Amen to get a scan and a doctor to review and assist me in progressing the damage my brain has sustained from a TBI in the United States military and many other injuries after that. You claim you're a doctor but cannot assist me in time off? I spent three days angry, after talking to you on zoom meeting. I was scared and trying to comprehend all the areas of my brain you said were affected with damage. I initially walked into the clinic on day one and asked the front desk to have a doctor sign a release form so I could go back to work, because my current employer thought I might be a liability since I informed them, I needed two days off work for imagining of my brain. Only "After" my zoom meeting with Dr. Mendenhall, was a freaking out and scared from the results of the scan. I clearly stated that work was causing me sleepless nights for years and I worked in hostile environments on a daily basis, working as an Investigator. The biggest issue was I was in a vehicle, alone for 12 hours a day and getting irregular sleep, due to the unethical scheduling from my employer. My issue is that I'm told in this email from Dr. Mendenhall that she does not have a long history with me and I should seek time off from my primary care doctor.... Then why the hell would you prescribe me an "ANIT-DEPRESANT" along with another synthetic sleep aid? You are the brain doctor, and my primary care doctor is just that, "PRIMARY CARE!" They do not specialize in the brain and that is why I came to Amen clinic. If you do not have a history with me, do not prescribe me a drug that is an Anit-depressant when I am NOT depressed. I can take a photo of the bottle and the remaining pills inside the bottle. I had to stop the medication because it almost ended my life on I-680 on August 5th. I had to stop in the express lane because my vision suddenly viewed everything like I was under water. I could not see any cars or even my hazard lights. I thought I was going to get rear ended and die that day. Two minutes later my vision slowly came back, and I proceed to my mother's that is a retired medical nurse. This occurred an additional time for 30 seconds after I made it back home and thankfully, I was in the presents of my own house. After speaking to my therapist, I explained what occurred while driving and she asked what changes in my life occurred. I explained I completed my brain scan, and the results were not good. I was nervous, scared and an emotional wreck. I explained my recovery was three phases and emailed her my treatment plan and the zoom video between my doctor and I. My therapist got back to me right away and asked why I was prescribed an Anit-depressant when I've never been diagnosed with depression though my 30 years with Kaiser, my post evolution in the Marines, nor through Sutter Health? I explained that Dr. Mendenhall stated it was for anxiety and nothing about depression, so I took the medication. After further investigation the drug "Bupropion", I immediately stopped the drug. The side effects were everything I was experiencing. I even informed Amen clinic I took blood pressure medication, and Bupropion elevates blood pressure, which it did, and is known for causing "HALO'S and vision issues". I have anger disorder and it elevated that as well. How can a N.D functional doctor for Amen, prescribe me non-natural medication but not assist me in providing a medical note to allow me to try and proceed with a treatment plan to heal my disastrous results? She clearly understood my work and also stated in the Treatment plan, that I needed to "Avoid occupational isolation, seek work that involves regular socialization with others and minimize time alone in my car!" How do you need a longer history with me to provide me time off to heal my brain? You are the specialist and that is what I paid you $820 for 1.5 hours of your time on zoom. I paid an additional $200 to prepare two short reports and another $390 for "Initial comprehensive and management". The aftercare, after my initial testing at the Walnut Creek location has been dog shit! I did not need synthetic medication for anti-depression, and I did not need Trazadone to get sleep. Trazadone (another synthetic drug) had me bumping into workout machines the next day and also made me feel like I was seasick. What I needed was some time off to heal and complete the phases you stated.