Maria Droste Counseling Center

"My daughter and I absolutely love this counseling center. I was referred to a specific therapist here from another organization. The intake process was made very easy for both of us. I've seen several counselors throughout my life, and the one I have here is by far my favorite. She seems more interested in actually treating me than racking up billable hours like therapists I have seen in the past. She is very kind and compassionate. My daughter sees a different therapist here who she absolutely loves. I've seen significant improvements in my daughter's mental health, as well as my own since meeting with the therapists here at Maria Droste. We've had such a great experience here that I've already referred other loved ones as well. The center has also done a great job at making everyone feel comfortable and safe during this pandemic, with online visit options as well as thorough in person health screenings and protocols. I would highly recommend this counseling center to anyone seeking mental health services!"

"I can't say enough wonderful things about my experience with this organization. I started seeing a therapist to help me deal with several deaths in my family & then the therapist died. They went out of their way to find me someone else as quickly as possible. I have been seeing Michele for about a year & she is amazing. She has helped me so much!!! She has given me tools to use when I get overwhelmed or just upset about things & helps a lot until I can see her again. I am so glad I came here!!!! Thank you!!!!"

"I was a new client/patient this recent past month. I Had a really traumatic experience with one of their therapists (hazel melmed) here and was basically told what happened to me with my trauma I could have avoided and the therapist continued to victim blamed me. The therapist has over 20 years of experience apparently...ha....The conversation that happened probably should have made this therapist lose their license and the fact that they specialized in trauma is the worst part. This therapist also made heteronormative and cisgender assumptions of me and my relationship, when I had already said I was in a non hetero relationship and my partner is not cis gender. The therapist continued to misgender my partner. On my behalf for the past two weeks my partner has been trying to get a hold of someone at the facilities management to tell them what happened but no one ever called back. This place has always been hard to get in contact with.. However if you have a history with trauma I’d highly warn you to go somewhere else for the sake of you’re own mental health and safety."

"I have been a member of the Young Professionals Board at Maria Droste for 7 months and I am so impressed by this organization. Their commitment to providing quality mental health care to anyone, at any price point, shines through every decision they make. As an attorney, I have struggled to find help for clients who need care but are unable to get it due to cost, stigma, distance, or a combination. MDCC does all they can to meet folks where they are and get them the help that they need. I look forward to continuing to support this great organization!"

"Kate Arellano of the wonderful MDS Counseling Center cares nothing about clients, especially children. She is all about who pays the bills. The children repeatedly state she does not listen to them. I have recordings of the boys talking about Kate's refusal to acknowledge their pain from their father's harm. Kate had no response when the children stated Kate did not listen to them. When contacted, Kate refuses to respond. This is a therapist who needs to have nothing to do with children nor anyone else. She is all about money. If this center wants to retain any respect, they need to get rid of Kate."