Victoria Portanier, MFT

2.4 mi

Chari is professional, caring and patient. She is an amazing therapist and highly recommend.read more

From the owner: Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in all forms of relationship difficulties and the…read moreproblems of depression/anxiety.

Owl Wise Holistic Coaching Services

5.0(31 reviews)

0.1 mi

I truly can't find the words of appreciation...Valina has literally changed my life, I will forever…read morebe grateful, and her unwavering support. Valina's arsenal of highly educated resources of individuals with such a high level of desire to help others heal, is by far more superior than I've experienced. She has helped me realize trauma is not a blanketed experience, but rather an individual experience, that needs personal evaluation, and attention for proper healing...it's deeper work than I imagined but having Valina by my side trudging through it with me was exactly what I desperately needed. Truly a blessing to have found her

Velina is amazing! I wish I could give her 6 stars. Obviously her credentials speak for themselves-…read morebut where Velina truly excels is as a very insightful, honest communicator and mediator. She also has a network of amazing folks around her who truly excel in their own right. She successfully combines textbook psychology with a plethora of holistic and spiritual resources, using innovative solutions (which have all proven successful for us.) It's rather easy for folks to get their feelings hurt in marriage counseling, but Velina speaks with such tact, insight and consideration. She doesn't play favorites and any criticism is purely constructive with positive big-picture intent. Velina is also a skilled masseuse, a genuinely wonderful human being and she truly looks for the best in everyone. Whether it's stress, PTSD, marriage counseling, life coaching, couples massage, etc. Velina is essentially a one-stop shop for your physical and spiritual well being. I cannot recommend her highly enough!

Bring more zest into your relationship while reducing stress in your life. Mindfulness meditation

Audio-visual treatments available

See all

Whitney Wright Maricle, LMFT

5.0(19 reviews)

10.4 mi

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.

Whitney Wright Maricle, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist | Online therapy | Specializing in anxiety, communication within a couple, and managing stress

See all

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist | Online therapy | Specializing in anxiety, communication within a couple, and managing stress

Phillip Pritting, LCSW

2.5 mi

Phillip is great for men who need help in understanding the importance of emotional resilience in…read moreany kind of relationship . Many of us did not have good role models of this growing up. One cannot fully understand and love themselves and others without it!

From the owner: Let’s meet wherever you are in life with complete acceptance, openness and compassion. Together we…read morecan learn to sit with painful feelings, sensations, and urges. You can learn to grow from the struggle of avoidance and fighting, to practicing acceptance and moving through difficulties. You can learn to identify the deepest desires in your heart and make steps towards living a life that matters.

See all

Hillary Dupuis, LMFT

3.4 mi

Hillary is the kindest, most positive therapist I have been to. It was suggested to me that I talk…read moreto a few people before deciding on a therapist (I was new to the area), and that process is not one that I am comfortable with. Hillary was happy to do a 'meet and greet' over the phone and after talking to her for 10 minutes it became very clear she was the right person to help me. She is sweet, non-judgmental, and well versed in some many aspects of therapy and life. I have been seeing her for almost 2 years now and she has always made time available for appointments if I need help. Thank you, Hillary!

From the owner: Life has its challenges and how you respond can make a world of difference. I help clients learn…read morehow to respond to life in a way that provides more growth, happiness and connectedness. I specialize in trauma recovery, couples counseling and substance abuse. It helps to have a supportive participant on your journey. Let's talk.

See all

A helpful ditty from a beloved client.

Calm Pathways

2.0 mi

I recently contacted Calm Pathways and had a hypnosis session with Carol, and it was heaven. I have…read morenever been more relaxed after receiving this therapy in my life. I was able to sleep completely through the night. I was skeptical at first because I did not believe I could be hypnotized but Carol thankfully proved me wrong. I'm not sure I have ever been that relaxed before. In one session we were able to release some issues that have been troubling me since childhood, and it felt wonderful. I highly recommend anyone wanting help to consider hypnosis and to differently give Carol a call.

From the owner: Weight Loss and Weight Management, Habit Elimination, Stress Management, Anxiety and Panic Attacks,…read moreSkill and Performance Enhancement, Behavioral Modification, Self Improvement.

Let's make possibility a reality

See all

Drop this nasty expensive habit!

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

4 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Victoria P.

8 years ago

Keep in mind reviews are subjective and many of these consumers with one star have not met the provider in person but may have had one telephone call or if so were with the provider once for a thirty minute meet and greet . Generally speaking, in the midst of two sides of a story as you read any review remember the truth generally lies somewhere in the middle. Your first-hand experience is the most legitimate evaluation of any service you are provided. For confidentiality sake, the writer is unable to elaborate as to why certain clients are not retained or terminated but in fact this is some of where the contention lies. Reviews on YELP is feedback that is welcome and deemed helpful on behalf of all consumers served at Sierra Counseling Center. read more

Dayle T.

8 years ago

I do not recommend this lady at all. I read some of the reviews below. If she doesn't like what you wrote about her she will criticize the client that wrote the negative review and mention personal things about that client online that should be kept private and .confidential. This lady needs therapy herself. She's got anger issues she needs to address as well as additional help on how to be more genuine with her clients. She is a fake. Do not see this lady. It will be a waste money and your time. If she doesn't like your insurance and if it causes too much of her "professional" time because of the paperwork involved she may drop you without warning. This latter is more of my personal opinion and gut instinct. Nevertheless buyer BEWARE. read more

Mayra Alejandra L.

11 months ago

Victoria has been an exceptional therapist who has provided invaluable support during my separation. Her empathetic and understanding nature creates a safe space where I feel comfortable sharing my thoughts and emotions. Victoria's insightful guidance and practical strategies have helped me navigate the complex emotions associated with such a life-changing events. She has a remarkable ability to listen deeply and offer advice that is both compassionate and constructive. Through our sessions, Victoria has empowered me to regain my confidence and approach the future with a positive mindset. Her unwavering support and professional expertise have been instrumental in my healing journey, and I am incredibly grateful for her presence in my life. read more

Tori L.

13 years ago

Gets whats going on and is uberly awesome!!!!!!!!!!

Victoria Portanier, MFT - c_and_mh - Updated July 2026

People who viewed Victoria Portanier, MFT also viewed

Mena Zaminsky, PsyD, LMFT

(2 reviews)

My experience with Mena Zaminsky MFT, goes back some 15 years, and let me say at the outset I was a…read morehot mess of a homeless African-American ne'er do well, approaching 50, living in San Francisco homeless shelters ...and going no where fast. I needed to talk to somebody if I was ever going to make a change, and I had heard that therapist were non-judgemental, that they are trained to listen and help you sort yourself out, break bad habits, and for me, figure out why I was so miserable; how to be Ok with myself again. I met with Mena weekly for the better part of two years, once a week for an hour, longer if need be. We would sip tea in an office reminiscent of a family room. With my life-style at the time, this was as much a surprise as it was important for my therapy. I felt 'at home'. My therapy began with my reason for coming ito see someone in the first place: I had been walking in a crosswalk with a newfound friend who saw the car and stopped. I didn't. Hit end-over-end by an uninsured 19year-old driver, I was not insured either. $70K. It broke me financially, and I'd never recovered. The year was 1989, and from then to my first meeting with Mena Zaminsky, i underwent what we determined was a personality change. I was in pain all the time, and the thing about pain is nobody experiences that pain but you, and it is frustrating when people just don't get... you don't want to hear it, no matter what it is. My pain was physical for years, and adjusting my attitudes and habits, destructive ones it turns out, lead me down a path of unemployment, anger, and depression. So, when my sessions with Mena began, I was hopeful I could just get some things off my chest. This consummate professional is, to date, the best listener i have ever known. i learned, that because she asked the questions I needed to answer for myself, that I wasn't the bad person, the failure I thought myself to be. I thought I was meant for better things in life and I had let this car accident be an excuse to give up on myself. Mena changed that. She allowed me to engineer my own Therapy and let me drive, pointing out the signs i needed to see to get where I wanted to go. Oh, my father's abuse came out, my using drugs and alcohol to make friends came out too... One session, when depression came up and I told her I was often, if not usually depressed, she asked," Have we been missing something here?" She thought I might be bi-polar because I did not seem depressed when I was with her in our sessions. It speaks to her presence as a therapist. You would do well to give Mena a call. I left San Francisco and returned to Davis, the little city where I attended university and now make my home. Mena helped me find my confidence; help me relearn to be comfortable in my own skin. i left her thinking everyone should have a therapist. This Spring begins my 16th year of publishing a monthly homeless newsletter journal. Good therapy for me, kind of like talking with Mena. The homeless in our town can exchange copies of their stories for spare change. When I joke with her now as a friend, and describe her wise counsel as "fixing" me, i am only half joking. I recommend Mena Zaminsky, young or old, rich or poor, whether or not you think you know "what's wrong," Mena will sort you out. She did, me.

Talking with Mena is like opening up a treasure chest and finding nuggets of gold that you need for…read moreyour journey. I have consulted professionally with her since the late 1990s. In every instance Mena helped me find whatever was blocking me from moving forward - on a decision, on understanding a client's psychology, on figuring out what to do next with a couple. The questions she asks help me understand the situation and move to a place of power; never have I felt judged. From counseling couples and individuals, to teaching at a university, to directing a rehab, Mena has a wealth of professional experience and has worked with people from a variety of cultural and economic backgrounds. I refer clients to her frequently because I know she will respond with wisdom and compassion, whether it is advice they seek, a skill set for a happy partnership, or a deep level of reflection and guidance.

Gail P Hunt, LCSW BCD

4.7

(13 reviews)

I had a serious fall 5 years ago . As a result I became…read moredeeply depressed. I went to therapists , counselors , as well as seeing several psychiatrist and taking a lot of anti depressants. I also had TMS for 8weeks. Nothing helped me. Then a friend told me about Gail. The first time I talk with her she was so kind and genuine. I started working with Gail . She made me feel safe and all I can say is I have my life back. She has helped me more than I could ever say with words. I still take antidepressants but Gail is the one that gave me my breakthrough and really helped me pull out of my depression. She is an amazing therapist and an amazing person and I am forever grateful to her

I really feel sorry for anyone that walks through Gail's doors. I've had a challenging time with…read moreGail, I didn't post a review because she begged me not, claiming it would affect her business and that this was a source of her livelihood. I recently found out she shared details of our sessions with my mother, whom she was seeing after I left therapy. I will post email exchanges between me and Gail for reference. I am extremely distraught and disturbed that she would share these things with someone I know. I am also contacting the Board of Psychology and Board of Social workers to file an official complaint. Gail is a bully and very intimidating. She did help me at the start of my journey, but it just started going downhill after a short while. She decided it best to include my husband in sessions since the bulk of my troubles were in my marriage. She started hitting herself on her head with a file a couple of times. She would raise her voice and scream and times. It was extremely traumatic for me. I never really felt much of a connection to her. She would forget details and was judgmental at times. I told her that I would stop therapy and seek out another therapist. It was at this time where she became super vicious. She sent me an invoice for $682.50, stating that it was a charge for all the times I contacted her outside of therapy. I did pay for all the times I contacted her. She billed me for every minute and I was paid up. She decided to bill me for every time she emailed me and wished me happy holidays or sent me a video, or shared something. Please be careful before you decide to see her, interview her and make sure she's a good fit. If your sensitive towards yelling, screaming, violence, and bullying- stay away from her. Also, if you want to keep your sessions confidential. I'm outraged that she would share details with my mom, claiming I gave her a hard time by leaving therapy. When in reality she was upset she no longer could take advantage of me, and get paid every week. Being an empathetic person I am, she probably didn't think I would voice my concern over her unjust $682 bill. She was wrong. I stayed silent but not anymore. I hope this prevents other people getting treated the same way.

Alison Urdan, MFT

3.9

(34 reviews)

I appreciate Alison Urdan immensely. She is skilled, patient, knowledgeable and takes her…read moreresponsibility to the families she serves seriously. It is often the children in a divorce or separation who suffer the most and experience the most trauma due to their parents inability to be fair in a painful situation. I recommend Alison as a Reunification Therapist to anyone who is experiencing parental or family alienation. The children involved are innocent but often bear the weight of having to side with one parent or the other, at the expense of losing the other parent. Alison has stepped into the middle of a parental alienation case that is still pending. Children involved in parental custody cases need support of a strong and experienced champion of what is best for the child. I believe Alison is that person. She is not willing to give up. She is honest. She is dedicated to the welfare of the children she represents. If you are looking for an honest, dedicated, sincere, no nonsense person to get through a custody or alienation case, Alison should be your first choice.

Alison is exceptional, and has helped me with lots of trauma and I have seen my life improve before…read moremy eyes. She is present, listens carefully and gives very good feedback. The healing process for me has been a long one but I live my life more plentiful now. Her office is always clean, she is welcoming and always there right on time ready to help you and listen. I am incredibly thankful for her existence and her help. I highly recommend her for all her services and I am eternally thankful for her.

CoreMind Therapy

(2 reviews)

Kaylin is a wonderful therapist-- she is very gentle, and helped me gradually make what seemed like…read moresmall, incremental changes to the way I think about myself and my relationships with others. But those changes have made a big difference in the way I talk to myself in my day-to-day life-- I no longer constantly judge myself or view my own actions with a very critical or suspicious lens. When those thoughts come up, I am able to use the tools that Kaylin has equipped me with to just observe myself neutrally to help me try it move past unhelpful decisions/ behaviors and help me to accept myself instead of getting into a negative self-talk spiral. I can at least move from negative feelings for myself to feeling neutral about the situation/ myself. There's a lot of talk about self-love/ image and positivity, but it feels really hard to achieve for people like myself, or it can just feel like empty platitudes with no roadmap on how to get there. Being able to move to neutrality ism a big step, and I was able to achieve that with Kaylin. I may not yet have Self acceptance and love, but it feels much more attainable that before. Therapy isn't a quick or once-and-done deal, and I'm grateful to Kaylin to be able to help me make these changes in my mindset that I can carry with me. She's helped me slowly build healthier relationships and learn how to trust my gut. She is very attentive and mindful to her patients-- she remembers where we left off and asks if we want to continue exploring those issues, or if there are pertinent things I want to address right away in the session before continuing our work from our previous session. She is also great for specifically Asian American woman clients as she understands our background and issues well. I recommend booking a session with her to see if her style matches your needs-- she was informative, has a kind demeanor, and makes you feel heard.

Dr. Jones was an incredibly effective and kind therapist. I had never been to therapy before and…read moreshe made sure to explain the process and be patient with me. Also, she made sure to tailor the work we did to my comfortability and my way of thinking. Every session was helpful and taught me tools to handle my anxiety.

Kathryn Amenta Money Coach

4.3

(26 reviews)

I saw myself as financially hopeless before I went to see Kathryn. I mean, I was living check to…read morecheck and not always making it. I knew I was capable of getting things under control, but the road from here to there just seemed to hard to navigate without a map. Kathryn gave me that map. Gently, over the course of several sessions (and without judgment -- I can't tell you how valuable THAT is) Kathryn helped me and my sweetie figure out where our money went -- and then start channeling it in more productive ways. One cool thing about her is that Kathryn tries to get to the bottom of why you behave the way you do around money. (It's like food or sex -- it makes you act weird and crazy, but you can change all that if you respect what got you to this place, right?) She doesn't scold or shame you -- just has a great, positive attitude to help you go forward. I'll admit, it seems daunting, when you already have money woes, to spend a chunk of change on financial counseling. But when you're set up with a debt-reduction plan, monthly and yearly spending plans, and most important of all, a three-tiered savings plan, you'll see what a good investment that is.

All athletes know that to enable them to get the best results in any sport, they need a coach…read more How about in life? Do you know how deal with money? Whether you do or don't, I strongly recommend hiring a coach. A person - who will help you get rid of negative spending habits and encourage saving habits. I can only recommend one such person. Her name is Kathryn Amenta, and she is a money coach. As a mortgage broker, I helped many of her clients with their mortgage needs, after Kathryn's money coaching to help them create positive cash flow. Kathryn Amenta is the ultimate professional money coach to help you to accumulate savings.

Victoria Whisman, MFT

(1 review)

I have been working with Victoria for almost a year now and I really appreciate her kind Socratic…read moremethod of asking me questions to help me introspect and reach answers I may not have been aware of. Her energy is warm and comforting and she is a great person to work with on one's personal journey of healing and self-improvement!

Concord Therapy Center

3.0

(2 reviews)

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.

Amy Kelly, LMFT

4.6

(11 reviews)

It was very hard to get in touch with them left several a voicemail and never get back to me until…read moreone day they called me requesting some documents and they said they can't give me a service they offer. Information incorrect on the website and they are not reliable.

Amy literally changed my life. She has had a profoundly-positive influence on my outlook, behavior,…read moreand relationships. She taught me how to recognize my feelings, and how to then communicate them to others. I would highly recommend her to anyone working through childhood trauma (particularly with adoption) and family issues. Thanks to her support (and the skills I learned from her), I've been able to sever toxic relationships, make a career change, and open myself up to better possibilities. She had a way of working me through my baggage without ever being condescending or less-than-kind. I never felt like she was lecturing me, but rather that we were working together. That's not to say she was a pushover or blasé; on the contrary, she could see through my jokes and deflection, and helped me face the parts of myself that I was scared to face alone. I honestly don't know where I'd be without her. Even though I 'graduated' from seeing her, I will be grateful to her for the rest of my life. This is not an exaggeration, she is just amazing.

Lori Mothersell, MFT

3.0

(6 reviews)

I was referred to this therapist by my insurance via Health Advocate. I reached out to her via her…read moreonline form on her website, and when I didn't hear back, I emailed her directly. I was ignored completely. If you are in need of help, save your time by looking elsewhere.

Submitted an inquiry via Lori's Yelp page on June 14th, as well submitted the same inquiry via her…read morewebsite. Today is July 10th and haven't gotten any response from either.

Nadine Watters, PsyD