Scott has been patient, respectful, and non-judgmental, which made it easier for me to be open and honest. I've seen real positive changes in myself and how I approach my relationships. I would highly recommend their services to anyone looking to make meaningful changes in their life. read more

Since December 2021, it has eaten at me on a daily basis that my old positive review was still up here. It has felt like a weight in my chest, like I might have helped pull other people into something harmful without meaning to. The reason I did not change it sooner is simple. I have been in a family court fight for years, and the way I have been treated has made me genuinely afraid of consequences for speaking out. I have felt bullied and powerless in a system that can punish you just for making noise. Scott Barrella has claimed there was no communication between us after I completed his program. That is not true. I stayed in touch with him for roughly a year afterward, we were on good terms, and I even referred him clients during that time. I know this because we had phone calls. In those calls, he complained to me that he was not being paid his deposition fees. He also told me that he was going to have an attorney present at the deposition, and that his insurance would provide one for situations like that. If we were not communicating after the program ended, I would not have known any of that. When court and legal proceedings became involved, I experienced a complete reversal. What happened next harmed me and, in my view, helped drive outcomes that kept my children away from me. The betrayal is what still hits the hardest. What is different now is that this is no longer just happening in the dark. There is published reporting focused specifically on Scott Barrella and Cornerstone Counseling Center, including Michael Volpe on Substack, Jan. 18, 2026, "California family court player gets exposed." There is also broader reporting on the Ventura County family court system by Cece Woods in The Current Report, with multiple articles laid out as a series. I am done staying quiet. People deserve to know what they are walking into before they trust their future, their case, or their children to this process. read more

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recently completed a 12-hour in-person parenting program with Cornerstone Counseling Center and had a very positive experience working with Scott Barrella. Scott created a comfortable, respectful environment where conversations felt genuine and productive rather than judgmental or scripted. He was professional, attentive, and clearly experienced in helping parents navigate difficult situations with a calm and balanced approach. What stood out most was how practical and relatable the sessions were. The program encouraged healthy communication, self-awareness, and focusing on the well-being of the child above conflict. Scott was approachable, easy to talk to, and made the material engaging throughout the course read more

awesome experience, and very professional. I highly recomme him for your needs. I learned alot about my anger management classes and i feel much better about making the right choice. A huge thank you to Scott!. read more

Definitely recommend this program to anybody who is looking for change growth and inspiration, Scott is the best candidate for the job. Very understanding, blunt, and great with people read more

Starting therapy can be very hard and very uncomfortable, but Scott helped ease our family into it all. Our situation (much like everyone else's), was complex and Scott really took the time to understand each member of our family With doing so, it helped each of us find our voice and find a way to communicate. As they say, trust thr process and know that working with Scott is probably the best decision you can make. It may be hard, but he truly does help when you are open to learn and listen. read more

I really have to give credit to this program for helping me over the last 52 weeks. My instructor, Scott Barrella, was awesome because he didn't just lecture us; he actually challenged us to look at our habits in a way that finally made sense. I'm walking away with real tools that have helped me become a much calmer person for my family. If you're serious about making a change, Scott is the guy to talk to. read more

I took the co-parenting course. The course was well structured and fast paced in a way that kept me engaged and on track. The textbook was emailed to me. And very easy to read and complemented the instruction well. Mr. Barella was kind, respectful, and open to any questions I had. Consistently encouraging participation and providing clear answers. Most importantly, he stayed focused on helping me successfully complete the course requirements and promptly issued my certificate of completion. read more

Scott is very hands on and will make sure your heard .. very easy relatable will make sure you get the subject ! Extremely nice and will give you heads up if you forget about class so you don't accidentally get an absent mark ! Gives you a syllabus of what you will be learning and pretty clear.. incredibly useful how he incorporates the class to relate to each others mistakes so we don't have to fall down the same rabbit holes .. He cares enough to make sure you're understanding the material! They type of care you get from Scott in Corner Stone make you feel comfortable and gives you the opportunity to go out and be better with the new material.. becoming a better person in society ! read more

Scott is an excellent counselor! He took time to understand my situation and showed that he cared. I had a great experience and learned a lot from his courses. Highly recommend Cornerstone. read more

Cornerstone Counseling with Scott Barrella was a great experience. I initially went into my classes with a negative attitude because they were court ordered. It only took a couple of classes before I started realizing that there are very beneficial lessons and tools learned from this class that will help me in every future relationship. I highly recommend Cornerstone Counseling! read more

Scott & Javier both have great communication & interpersonal skills. Which helps allow us to be transparent & take responsibility of how we react & respond. This course was very effective & informative. Learned a lot about myself, others & how to react appropriately when conflict arises or confrontation happens. read more

Excellent support services that actually are court approved. Flexible meeting times in person and via zoom. Easy payment options. There is a reason Scott is the Cornerstone of the counseling community... yes I did that read more

Scott is my highly recommended facilitator! Every parenting couple should be made to take this course to avoid common co parenting pitfalls, mistakes, and to start the path to healthy co parenting faster.He has a way of personally relating to your situation by knowing both sides and how to navigate it for a better situation for everyone, which will allow the children to get the best outcome from this. This curriculum actually goes above the other "common co parenting sources" by building off of their "common sense" principles by adding depth with more examples / charts of how the children or parents may interpret a situation. It should be mandatory first to work with him and save everyone time, energy, and multiple court visits. read more

Amazing course where you can learn tool to improve the behavior and relationships. Really recommend it to take it.

I'm glad I choose cornerstone counseling. Was court ordered to take 52 classes. Thought it was going to be a huge waste of time. It wasn't! Learned that I had a lot of character defects through the lessons that cornerstone taught on a weekly basis. Also learned several techniques on dealing with anger and also how to identify red flags. I'm now a better brother, son, employee and human being! The classes teach a ton of information and Scott and Javier add some humor into the classes. Actually looked forward to each weekly meeting. Didn't feel like a chore at all! read more

Scott was great and helped out alot i was thankful he was able to get me into his schedule and help my out highly recommend his services for anyone looking read more

I came into this 52-week program with a lot of shame, fear, and confusion about my past behavior and what it meant for my future. What I found was a structured, compassionate space that challenged me to take accountability, reflect deeply, and begin to change from the inside out. The facilitators didn't just teach us about the cycle of violence -- they helped us understand the roots of our choices, the impact on others, and how to build relationships based on respect, empathy, and equality. Every week, I was pushed to take a hard look at my actions, my beliefs, and my communication patterns. It wasn't easy, but it was absolutely worth it. What I appreciated most was that the program wasn't just about avoiding bad behavior -- it was about becoming a better human being. I learned how to regulate my emotions, listen with empathy, and communicate without control or defensiveness. I've applied those skills not only in my relationship but in my parenting, my work life, and how I carry myself in the world. To anyone who's willing to do the work, I'd say: show up with humility and openness. This program can truly change your life if you let it. read more

Scott is a wonderful counselor. He's very knowledgeable in all aspects especially if you need help understanding the court system, he will give you his own recommendations on how to handle any situation read more

Scott is an amazing teaching and cares about his students. He is patient and accommodating.

Scott is a great counselor. He is very knowledgeable and professional. His DV class has helped me tremendously and I feel better after every session. read more

Scott is an excellent counselor. He takes time to know clients and conducts an enjoyable and informative class. Would highly recommend!

Very well taught class and very informative. I highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to turn their life around.

Cornerstone provides an accessible, clear, and concise program for individuals, parents, and couples. Mr. Barrella smartly assesses the student in order to appropriately identify critical needs and navigate each course meaningfully. Parents and couples will benefit from Mr. Barrella's knowledge and expertise as well as his realistic and upfront approach. read more

Scott runs his domestic violence program like a power trip, not a path to growth. From the start, he charged unauthorized fees ranging more than $100 for absences that were never mentioned in the contract. When Zoom was down nationwide, something completely out of my control, he still demanded payment instead of offering understanding or solutions. His idea of "teaching" is insulting. He delivers the course content as if he's talking to elementary schoolers, belittling people instead of helping them. Check-ins are a joke -- he cuts you off mid-sentence when he loses interest and rushes to the next person. There's no genuine care for anyone's progress. His text messages are consistently arrogant, cold, and dismissive. What's even more disturbing is that when I contacted the court -- who confirmed I no longer needed to attend the program -- Scott didn't take it well. He began harassing me, blowing up my phone, even contacting Oxnard PD in some weird, desperate attempt to assert control. It's painfully ironic that a man like this teaches a class on becoming a better person, when his own behavior is controlling, two-faced, and unapologetically rude. He is the type who abuses authority, takes advantage of court-mandated students, and puts on a professional face while treating people like they're beneath him. If you're being referred to this class, I highly recommend requesting someone else. Scott is not here to help -- he's here to squeeze money out of vulnerable people and stroke his ego while doing it. read more

Scott has been tremendous at Cornerstone Counseling. Open-minded, understanding and thoughtful are immediate thoughts when I think of my experience. Although the circumstances for me seeking his assistance are tough, he made things much easier. I learned a lot and cannot thank Scott enough for all he has done for me. I hope to utilize the tools I learned throughout my life. Recommend! read more

took Scott's parenting class via zoom which was quick, efficient, and very reasonably priced. works with you on the lessons in a personable way which makes it comfortable and easy going. read more

Finding Cornerstone was a godsend for me, I found myself in a court case and needed a flexible course that would actually give me the tools I needed. Scott came highly recommended to me with his professionalism and willingness to actually help his clients far above the other places I called. So far I have been with Cornerstone for around 5 months and am already seeing big differences in my life and my ability to handle my emotions better in all relationships. Another plus is Scott is incredible about getting progress reports out to you, usually same day. Overall I would highly recommend Cornerstone Counseling to anyone that may have found themselves in a court case or is just in need of better real life tools. read more

Scott is one of the best counselors I've ever had the privilege of talking with. His input and views of how to navigate difficult situations has been handled with the best intentions. Highly recommended read more

Scott was a "blessing in disguise" for me during this challenging time. Not only is he a fantastic teacher of all things parenting/co-parenting; his course offers a blend of key knowledge coupled with Scott's empathetic approach to the very sensitive topics he covers. He worked around my bus schedule and ensured I walked away with the core takeaways necessary for parental success. Thank you, Scott. read more

Scott was wonderful and provided a lot of good insight into life. He was very helpful to my husband and myself.

Quality Information. This class has helped me combat my anger and aggression towards others by giving me new tools that I can use in not just my relation with my partner but all relationships with others thanks Scott. read more

Thank god my partner found Scott at Cornerstone when he did. He took the 52 week course with Scott, and was taught many useful tools to handle many different life hurdles. My partner came out of the program with a completely different skill set for communicating his feelings. We are so grateful to have found Scott and would definitely recommend his program to anyone. read more

Recommend !!! Absolutely made a huge difference for the better in my husband's ability to manage "critical moments". Highly recommended because the program works . Scott is awesome, he definitely knows what he is doing. Qualifies for court mandated anger management but I'd even recommend if you just need a little help so you don't end up im court like we did :) thanks read more

Cornerstone Counseling Center - Our motto thanks to help from cornerstone - Counseling & Mental Health Near Me - Simi Valley, California

Cornerstone is an excellent center. I've never felt more comfortable and safe in a counseling environment. Scott Barrella is excellent. He is a true professional. read more

I took the 52 week anger management course and I could not have picked a Better one. I was lucky to get Scott as a counselor in a time when I needed it most. Scott is Truely an amazing person/teacher and helped me out in the best way. Scott went way above and beyond for me and does for every student taking his course. Scott worked with me on a time crunch and I was able to get all my classes in on time. He is very diligent on progress reports and does not beat around the bush. Scott is very knowledgeable about the subject, and does an amazing job making the curriculum quick and easy to understand and he is super funny. It makes class fun. Scott deserves to be heard and treated with respect as he does every day with us. I can't thank Scott enough for the time spent and tools learned from this class. read more

I've been seeing Scott Barrella for co-parenting counseling with my daughter's mom. He's been a great help for both of us, recently he has helped us with coming to agreements like scheduling vacation times and many other scenarios. I've learned a lot from Scott and I appreciate his calm nature and help putting things into perspective. At times I may not want to hear it but the truth helps you understand the other person perspective and we can all use that to help growth in this parenting journey. read more

Scott is awesome! Very professional and is understanding of people's busy schedules! He is able to accommodate when unforeseen circumstances arise. The material he teaches keeps you engaged and you learn a great deal from his lessons! read more

Mr. Barrella has been outstanding in a case where I felt absolutely hopeless. After not having any contact with my son for 5 years, Mr. Barrella made our reunification process smooth and easy. He embraced the challenge and handled its complexity, and fragility to perfection. At present day, my son and I are continuing to build our relationship with Mr. Barrella paving the way. Thank you Scott for your tireless efforts, your patience, and wisdom. Couldn't have done it without you! read more

The best online court approved group classes available. Well, not sure where to start, but I just feel the need to write something to help other people make a decision when facing the overwhelming 'Provider List'. I am a domestic violence offender in the greater Los Angeles / Ventura County area. You need to pull your-self together now. Stop procrastinating. Enroll in a class ASAP. Do research. I tried calling around but that sucked. I found Cornerstone Counseling. The owner called me back within minutes and went over the program. All aspects have been consistent with what was said. So, I have had a very positive experience with Cornerstone and the owner Mr. Scott Barrella. This online domestic violence class has truly been a transformative journey, and I'm grateful for the incredible support and guidance I've received. Scott's communication is nothing short of excellent. He is not only knowledgeable but also empathetic, making every session feel like a safe space for personal growth. His ability to ask probative questions encourages deep reflection and meaningful discussions. I guess he gets his insight from his 25+ years of dealing with this stuff. The availability of coursework has been a game-changer for me. The resources provided are comprehensive and insightful, offering a well-rounded educational experience. It's clear that the team at Cornerstone Counseling is dedicated to providing valuable content to their participants. Some of the best content has come from the relative happenings pulled in from online media and current events. What sets this program apart is the sense of community. ZOOM: Super Efficient During these sessions, I've truly felt the bond among the participants. It's a supportive and non-judgmental environment where everyone is encouraged to share and grow together. This sense of community is invaluable in the healing process. In summary, I highly recommend Cornerstone Counseling Center for their exceptional domestic violence online class. It's more than just a course; it's a transformative experience that promotes personal growth and community support. Thank you Scott for making a positive impact on my life. read more