Avalon Center

This review is for Alexa for parent reunification counseling.[tl:dr choose another therapist for better chance at reunification therapy success]Background:My goal for these sessions with Alexa was to allow my son to talk about his resentment towards me in a constructive manner, to try to off load as much psychological weight from him before college as possible. His mother had showed no interest in discussing the problem, refusing to even call a family therapist at my expense, and indeed to be nurturing and using the child's resentment as a tool for further gatekeeping and enmeshment. Thus I was left no recourse but court ordered reunification therapy.Unfortunately, I found Alexa to be biased in her report to the court, and borderline manipulative in our sessions.For example: she wrote "Paul lives in a 1bd apartment with his girlfriend" intimating I had not prepared a proper home for my son when a more accurate description would contain any variations of the following...Paul moved to Seattle as soon as possible after the pandemic to be as close to his son as possible and is living in a temporary apartment < 10min walk from his sons house. This allows easy visitation without necessitating overnight stays to begin the process. Paul is in a stable long term relationship with a partner that supports his efforts to reconnect with his son and has no inclination to insert herself into the process.In the report, she also suggested that I was unaware of the development needs of a 15yo because I questioned what changed in the relationship with my son from three years previous. Alexa suggested the difference was my ignorance of childhood development, that i did not understand his changing needs.She left out that the major change was due to a final cessation of the on again/off again romantic relationship between me and the boy's mother. The ending of that relationship sparked increased gatekeeping and a change in the boy's demeanor, which Alexa did not acknowledge.Additionally, she treated me like a witness being cross examined. Did you move to Seattle only for you son? -YesWhat about your job? They prefer you in Boston? -YesDo you have friends here? -No, my friends are at my old homeSo given all that, if you cant see your son, will you move away? -Maybe, my social life was better there. My career better in Boston.In the report she stated I would move away if reunification was not successful. I felt she was trying to steer me to this answer.Reunification therapy is risky to begin with, and outcomes not guaranteed, but to better your chance of repairing a relationship with your child, I recommend not using Alexa.

I cannot speak highly enough about CWS! I ve been with CWS off and on for over 10 years, as circumstances have arisen where I need temporary or longer term support. I ve experienced transformative therapy in my relationship w myself, my children and even work related situations. My daughter at age 16 was helped tremendously. The clinicians are vetted by Toni, the owner, highly ethical and competent. I highly recommend them! Susan

this is by far the worst counseling services i ve ever interacted with. starting with Toni. she s always running around like a chicken with their head cut off. trying to speak with her is impossible. she is rude and should think of a career doing something else. she doesn t have the patience needed for this type of job.next time i would rather go with monkeys for counseling then with her again