Christine K. Heaton, LPC - Leesburg, Virginia

Dale Gardner

Riverside Counseling Center cannot be trusted to provide a safe and caring environment for mental health treatment, and should be avoided.

I was a patient at Riverside Counseling Center for several years, initially treated by Dr. Donald Hall. When the medications he prescribed failed to control my depression, and I experienced an emotional crisis following the suicide of a friend, Dr. Hall referred me to Ms. Karen Mazzara, LPC for therapy. I then also became a patient of Ms. Mazzara's, and worked with her for 2.5 years.

Literally in the middle of a session, while I was attempting to explain something, Ms. Mazzara interrupted me and brusquely informed me she was terminating her treatment effective immediately. Although she later said she had been considering ending her care "for a long time," she had made no preparations for the transfer of my care to another therapist.

She made no such recommendation for a period of weeks, and when she did so it was to an individual to whom she should have known would be a poor match. She refused to meet to discuss the termination and transfer of care, despite having time available on her schedule.

I felt -- and feel -- completely abandoned.

I reacted to her abrupt and unprofessional termination with immediate and great distress. I literally begged her, repeatedly, not to end the relationship. Ms. Mazzara responded with insincere platitudes. When those meaningless words failed to calm me, she mocked me, asking me if I "thought therapy would last forever." The distress caused by Ms. Mazzara's rejection, and her apparent anger and frustration, left me deeply traumatized and depressed.

I can appreciate Ms. Mazzara felt she could no longer assist me and desired to end the relationship. I respect and understand those wishes. What I cannot understand, and people should understand, is the cruel, callous, and remarkably unprofessional manner she chose to implement her decision. Dr. Hall's response was equally unhelpful and added to my distress by refusing to attempt any mediation that might have eased my distress at being rejected, and implying my version of events couldn't be trusted because it was my word against Ms. Mazzara's.

She cannot be trusted. No one associated with Riverside should be trusted to provide a safe and caring environment in which to seek therapy. I trusted Ms. Mazzara and Dr. Hall to provide a safe and caring environment for my care. In my opinion, they failed utterly and completely and don't seem to care about the damage they inflicted to me and my family.

Ty Ward

Dr. Towery is an amazing listener, compassionate, and full of wisdom. He utilizes the proper strategies and techniques that helped me get to a healthy and happy state in life.

I didn't realize how much having a mental health counselor would enrich my life, yet I'm extremely thankful to have met and collaborated with him to identify and work through some of life challenges that weighed heavy on me.

SGT

Unprofessional. I went to my appointment (after waiting a solid week) and they "cannot find my info in their system"; Then they said they didn't hold my appointment because they didn't get my credit card info (which I gave them at the time I made the appointment over the phone - to which the woman on the phone repeated the number back to me so I KNOW they have my info). I was turned away. Then they had me wait 2 WEEKS to get seen. I called yesterday afternoon to confirm my appointment (because obviously I don't want to drive all that way again to just be turned away Again. I am already distrusting this practice) The woman I spoke to wasn't the least bit concerned nor offered any apology for the mess. wasn't reassuring. When I told her what happened 2 weeks ago, there was a moderate pause and all she said was (in a firmer tone) "you're scheduled for the 11th at 1pm". Didnt even acknowledge what i said. I have talked this over with others and I have been already treated for my anxiety. I have been encouraged to leave this practice. I am very turned off at this place and I do not feel comfortable trusting my mental wellbeing to this incompetent practice. Cancelling tomorrow. (since I am still in the 24hr cancelation notice window, so I cannot be charged a fee)

Jennifer Lynn Roberts-Wilson

Very dedicated and experienced. I highly recommend her even in difficult cases.