Client Testimonials

 

Hands down the best therapist I’ve ever had. The only person I’ve truly been able to be completely honest with. I get excited for my weekly sessions with her.

— Jared

Words can never express the gratitude that we feel for Candace and all that she has helped us accomplish in not only learning to deal with the disease of alcoholism, but how it has affected our family and relationships

She is perceptive and insightful, giving her the ability to “cut through” quickly to the heart of matters, enabling us to get a clearer picture of situations and how to handle them in an appropriate manner.

As a parent it is often so difficult to know what to do or how much to do for a loved one without being co-dependent. Candace has been able to quickly assess our family dynamics, leading us to being better able to cope and understand what are our roles and responsibilities.

Our daughter has seen many therapists in her life, none of whom she was able to establish a relationship, being open and honest. Candace quickly gained her trust and respect, allowing her to begin the hard work necessary to get on the road to recovery.

Improving our family communication skills … becoming more able to talk about our feelings, expressing our wants and needs … learning to listen to each other and being respectful …while at the same time … going through the process of detaching with love and setting boundaries … these are some of the steps that Candace has been leading us through as we go through this process of recovery with our daughter and our family.

— Cheryl & Charles

As a 21 year old who was 70 days sober off of drugs and alcohol, I was not thrilled about the idea of therapy. I had been in and out of therapy since I was 15 and not once did I take it seriously. I had the “Me vs Them” mentality and it always felt like therapy was a punishment (forced by parents). It wasn’t until I had to ask my parents to send me to rehab that I started to fully understand the actual benefit of therapy.

After an initial wilderness program, I was admitted to a treatment program in Southern California and Candace Presser was my therapist. At this point in my life there was nothing to hide. Candace made it incredibly easy to be completely honest about my addiction. She was very reassuring in that the relationship was solely about me and her working together so that I could recover from my wreckage.

Over time, sessions with her became a joy, and she knew the true me better than anyone. If there was ever anything wrong, she knew exactly how to approach me so that I could get whatever was bothering me out. After over two years of therapy with Candace, I have grown a tremendous amount.

Candace brought a vibe to sessions that feels like I’m talking to a best friend, while at the same time providing the professional clinical knowledge and wisdom that one would expect from the highest level of therapist.

I wouldn’t take back a second of our time together and I feel so blessed that I was able to work with her.

— Will

Since I was diagnosed in eighth grade, my depression defined who I was. It didn’t matter what I was involved in, the grades I earned, the athletic accolades I achieved, or the bountiless love constantly given to me by my family and friends. For six years, I was consistently seeing new therapists and taking several cocktails of anti-depressants, but nothing seemed to help for too long. Eventually I personally prescribed remedies for my depression which inevitably led me to a treatment center in California and in Candace’s office. It’s been almost two years and I now work at a rehab attempting to instill the hope in my fellows that Candace saw in me. My work with Candace has been paramount in my recovery and growth. With her help, I have come to realize that I am not defined by my depression and addiction and my prevail over them has given me a purpose in life. I can only hope and strive to help others as she has helped me.

— Greg

Candace Presser is a dedicated and caring therapist who has helped our son through a very difficult and dangerous time of his life. While she is caring and understanding, she found a way to challenge our son to address his issues and taught him skills to manage them. Candace has been a major factor in him becoming a mature, honest and confident 21 year old. She clearly understands the complicated issues that affect young adults suffering from depression and substance abuse and is not afraid to firmly guide her patients towards a healthier, happier and more productive life style. We are very thankful for her continued dedication to helping our son and her unique ability to truly understand him and the issues he has to confront. Her caring and thoughtful approach makes Candace a very special person and a fantastic therapist.

— Vicki & Alan

Candace Presser is hands down the best therapist I have ever worked with. I started seeing her about a year ago when I realized I was losing the battle against my depression and anxiety and needed support. Through our sessions together, Candace has helped me develop the coping skills I need to weather the storm and see the sunshine on the other side.

As for her approach to therapy, Candace is non-clinical in the sense that I feel more like I’m talking with a close friend rather than a mental healthcare professional. I feel completely at ease in her office, and whenever I have a problem that needs solving, I always know that Candace and I will figure it out together. She is compassionate, open, and smart.

Today, I see the work I have done with Candace fully manifesting itself in my daily life. I am stronger, happier, and more self assured than I have ever been before. Candace once told me that we’re not just supposed to only survive. We are meant to thrive. With her at my side, I know I will do just that. I consider Candace more than my therapist… She is my friend.

–Martin

Candace Presser is not only the best therapist I’ve ever had, but she is the most caring and heartfelt therapist I’ve ever had. Her easy-going personality and her love for life is contagious. The past couple years of working with Candace I’ve been given so many tools to navigate my way through the most difficult times. The biggest tool Candace has taught me and that I use everyday is self-care. Putting myself first is something I used to struggle with and finding love and consideration for myself was not something I could have done on my own. I look forward to seeing her every week!

–HG

Therapy. The word alone can invoke fear.  Or anxiety.  Perhaps apprehension or panic. Or, in the right place, with the right therapist…it can create hope, encouragement… and results.  My experience with Candace Presser is one that I will cherish and reflect on throughout the rest of my life.  You see, she saved me and my marriage. About seven years ago, my husband of then 24 years, was the cause of everything that made me unhappy.  We hardly spoke, slept in separate rooms, and had developed a deep anger and disdain toward each other.  It felt like the love we once had was no longer, and not retrievable.  We didn’t talk to each other and that made it impossible to work on our problems.  We filed for divorce.  Living in Southern California during that time, meant that the divorce would take about 3 times longer to finalize because of the closing of courts and consolidation of many district court cases all into one court.  During the waiting period, we remained cordial but strained in our communication.  Our property was divided in a way that we were both satisfied.  No fighting about anything.  We were going to walk away from our marriage and do our best to be friends.  The last thing we needed once the waiting period was over, was one final signature.  And that day came.  A year and a half later.  And I found myself not wanting to sign it.  But I also found myself not wanting to tell my husband this because I couldn’t quite understand what I was feeling. A dear friend told me about Candace.  She, too, was going through a divorce and had been counseled with her husband by Candace on a couple occasions.  Regrettably, she couldn’t continue working on her marriage because, according to her, her husband didn’t like the way Candace “nailed him on his shit”.   And I said “give me her phone number!”  I needed someone to do that to me.  I desperately wanted to understand and take responsibility for my part in the loss of my marriage.  After initially talking to Candace to set up an appointment to meet, I was reassured that I would get some answers to my many questions.  I would get guidance and understanding.  And I would get honesty.  Nailed, as it were. When you see someone you’ve never met before and you bare your soul and express raw emotion, it can be daunting.  But when you are sitting across from a genuine, gentle, and caring soul, it can be soothing to your own.  Candace is a genuine, gentle and caring soul.  Wise beyond her years.  Well versed in all matters of the head and heart.  I knew I was in the right place with the right person.  She has this special gift that I couldn’t get enough of.  In explaining a concept or idea, she would speak metaphorically.  The images you could conjure up in your mind would help explain it very simply, concisely.  It really takes the mystery out of understanding the why and what.  The enigma of therapy is then simply and comfortably understood.  And understanding what makes you tick is an amazing accomplishment to gift yourself.  And those in your life will benefit from your revelations as well.  Candace met with me alone, with my husband alone, and with us as a couple.  I watched her transform my husband into a different human.  He was able to express his lifelong battle with anxiety and therefore finally able to understand what made him tick.  That enabled me to see him in a different light and to finally understand him.  And, we cancelled our divorce.  She showed us both so much compassion and support.  But she also provided incredible guidance in helping us get where we are today:  We celebrated 31 years of marriage July, 2020.  We moved a year and a half ago to Hawaii (The Big Island) and live with our son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter.  We have 12 acres, sheep, chickens, and organically farmed fruits and vegetables. It’s something I could never have imagined.  I’m happier now than I’ve ever been.  I just wish Candace lived closer so I could go in for some fine tuning on occasion!  Yes, going to Therapy (or even concluding that you need it), can be intimidating.  Not everyone you know will be understanding and supportive of your decision to seek the help and advice of a “stranger”.  But, it’s for you and your journey.  At different times and crises in my life, I have sought others to counsel me.  It took me many years and many tears to find Candace.  I know how fortunate I am to have met her. And I know, without the slightest doubt, that you will feel the same way.  Best wishes in your journey through this life. 

-Evelin