Open Paths Counseling Center

Having a service like this is GREAT don’t get me wrong… but the only therapist experience I had from this organization left me SO thoroughly disgusted. Was this chick even a therapist AT ALL?
Living around the Seattle, WA area, I decided to try a therapist in Renton by the name of Victoria White. Being borderline Agoraphobic, I gave her the papers I was asked to sign, one of the questions asking my what my beliefs were. I had stated that I believed nobody should be judged based on if you had a mental illness or not. By mental illness, I meant Anxiety and Depression.
«I’m sorry, but Anxiety and Depression being ‘mental illnesses’ is utter bull**** to me.»
Quoted word for word from Victoria’s mouth. How professional is that?
I brushed it off and continued to tell her my problems and what I had been dealing with over the past 5 years. Towards the end, she keeps rambling on about her next client… I was her current client so I felt like she needed to focus on ME rather than them.
Her closing statement to me was something I would NEVER say to anybody going through any sort of hardship… especially those seeking therapy:
«I know you’re going through a lot and I’m sorry… but nobody wants to hear about it.»
I seriously couldn’t believe it. I even sat in my car afterwards for a few minutes dumbfounded, thinking there was no way a therapist had just told me that. Unbelievable…
With that being said, there may be a couple of good therapists out there, but there’s a fair share of those that shouldn’t have even made it into their field.

So I had stumbled into this place after being forced to do Counselling from a situation… ehrm. I am so glad I found this place. The counselors here are very skilled and talented at what they do… Counselling. I cannot believe I haven’t gone into Counselling sooner… many years wasted not seeking help earlier that would’ve prevented so many problems.
Because of the stereotypes, stigma, and not being able to accept my problems or be aware of how Counselling actually helps normal people just stuck with bad habits, habitual unhealthy thoughts or patterns of dealing with themselves life and those around. I used to think Counselling was only for truly crazy pill-​popping people and that belief alone has kept me from seeing some great counselors earlier. (It’s true there’s a stigma of mental health from the whole Robin Williams affair etc). I hope this stigma is lifted in the near future as Counselling is not solely for mentally ill who need medication, it’s for normal people with abnormal problems or situations or people in their life who may feel helpless and. overwhelmed in dealing with those things or situations living with around them and need some guidance and a caring ear to listen.
The counselors have been dealing with so many clients, they have the experience to cut through the muck and get right to the heart of the matter, give a unique perspective, and maybe identify new problems you never knew were there. The hardest part may be to accept there’s a problem and enact changes in your life that actually works towards solving the problem… Rather than just settling for second best, undermine your life by living with the problem that you really don’t need to live with, letting the problem fester, remain unsolved, and perhaps chance that It grow out of proportion, and lead to worse things. down the line. This is like getting an oil change in your car to prevent bigger problems in the future. And if I had gone sooner, it would’ve helped me to steer me away from some big costly problems happening that could most likely have been prevented. Yes, it ain’t pretty seeing the shit hit the fan! :(
My opinion from coming here. These counselors are truly skilled and get to the heart of the matter. There are many interns as well as licensed… both equally impressive. They are sincere, trustworthy, and care about truly helping you to solve your life problems. It makes me feel more comfortable opening up in Counselling with someone who has my best interest at heart, rather than judgemental people who may not care one way or the other to help you. I’m not trying to paint them as gods who will magically solve your problems, but they give you tools to practice and experienced guidance in your approach to make your life where you want it to go… This organization is focused on benefitting the community it seems and is an asset to the city of Los Angeles. I am so glad I found this place. An unmotivated person like myself has hit the lotto here :)
If you are finding yourself with a seemingly difficult problem, perhaps you should give open paths a try for at least a few sessions. So glad I did! I truly appreciate their help (dealing with things I used to think impossible to deal with) and words cannot express my gratitude. I cannot believe I didn’t find them earlier!

How are they in business?! Left voice mail a on call service took my info and someone was to called me back, Never did! That was 2 months ago

I am so grateful for Open Paths. I was able to get an intake appointment within a few days of my initial call. My counselor (sandra) is great and I’ve also been very happy with the group counseling sessions they offer. Their fees are based on a sliding scale so more people have access to the care they need.

This center has been an amazing find. I have been to expensive counseling practices in the past, some of which were helpful and some of which, not so much. Within this last year when I needed services yet was in a much different financial situation than other times in my life, this center was referred to me. I have to admit my expectations of lower cost center were not high, but I have received such great attention; far better than any previous experience. I really couldn’t have asked for anything more and am so grateful for how much this center cares and truly helps those who are looking for it.

Yesterday. my supervisor sent a few of my co-​workers and I to Open Paths Counseling Center for an Anger Management Training workshop. There I had the pleasure in meeting Kendall Evans, MFT, Kendall was the facilitator for the workshop. The information and resources gained from the facilitator was so valuable and fundamental! All the information that Kendall provided will definitely help me in implementing it when working with clients. I even consider practicing a few key strategies on myself ;) (growth is inevitable, change is intentional). Thank you Kendall for the valuable tools suggested! I am most definitely considering in doing my traineeship at Open Paths :) for Fall of 2013!

Wow. How come this counseling center doesn’t have more reviews yet? This center is wonderful– good neighborhood (although they are moving to another nice location in Culver City in June), very professional and compassionate and affordable because they have a sliding scale. I love my therapist there and from what I see when I am in the center, all of the therapists seem very warm and caring. I just like the feel of the place and would recommend it to anyone who wants to work on themselves or if you have something difficult going on in your life. It has helped me tremendously. I know most of the therapists are in training there, but I know from my own experience in LA — there are as many amazing interns as there are crappy licensed MFTs, so don’t let this deter you. There are no frills about this place, but if you want good therapy in a comfortable environment, this is your place. And it is nice to step out of the LA «scene» for a minute. Ahhhh, it is therapeutic!