The Creative Spark Child Counseling Center

Dr. Weinstein is a great therapist!
Sep 5th, 2020

Jan 29th, 2020

I called to schedule the "intake", I was told that it was an hour and $125. At the appointment, we spoke for 15 minutes. When I asked for a break in cost considering that we only spoke for 15 minutes, I was told that Dr. Amanda doesn't give breaks. During the intake, I explained that my daughter has been through a lot of grief, she has multiple learning disabilities and is as stubborn as they come. Dr. Amanda recommended the social skills group as well as individual counseling for my daughter. She placed my daughter with Savannah. After months of therapy, Savannah tells me that she's transitioning from intern to employee and at the next session, her rate is increasing by $25 PER SESSION! That's $100 a month and I get a few days notice?? Backtracking for a second, an intern is what you call "experienced?" Really? I would have appreciated knowing she was an intern to start with because I may have told her I wanted someone more experienced. During this few months that my daughter received therapy from Savannah and the group, she did not improve at all. When I questioned her lack of progress, I was told by Savannah that they felt like she was improving significantly. My daughter has experienced some major grief in her life, particularly in the last month and due to that her behavior has changed drastically at home and at school. I called Dr. Amanda directly and asked her to call me because I had some concerns that I did not want to discuss with Savannah. She passed me off to Savannah anyway. So, I took the opportunity to be honest with Savannah and I told her that I did not think she has the experience to provide the counseling my daughter needs. She informed me that my daughter was not progressing in the group anyway and that for the past 4 weeks she has not been participating in group at all, she was hiding in the corner for the entire session! So, let me get this straight: a few days ago my daughter was making significant progress and now she has not been participating in group for the past month?? Why was I not informed of this? Anyway, she spoke with Dr. Amanda and said that Dr. Amanda said my daughter could switch to therapist Jenny. I told Savannah that I was removing my daughter from group 2 weeks early since finding out that she is not participating anyway and she said that Dr. Amanda did not think that was a good idea because my daughter did have a connection with some of the girls in the group. How can you make a connection with someone when you are sitting in a corner? I thought that she just wanted my money but, I took my daughter to group today anyway. After group, I went to talk to Dr. Amanda privately. Me: Do you have any suggestions for me regarding school and her behavior there? Dr. Amanda: She did well in group today! (Obnoxious laugh) Me: That's great! Do you have any suggestions for me regarding school and her behavior there? Dr. Amanda: She talked in the group about her recent behavior at school so that is good that she is talking about it! (Obnoxious laugh) Me: Awesome! Is there anything you can suggest about those behaviors at school? Dr. Amanda: I have to say she is DEFINITELY the most challenging child in the group! (She was looking past me, I turn around and my daughter is standing right there in the hallway and her eyes welled up with tears) I walked out. My daughter cried the whole way home. I called Jenny (the new therapist) and I asked her for Dr. Amanda's email address and she wouldn't give it to me. She said she is not allowed. What professional counselor forbids their email address from being given out to parents? I told Jenny that I do not talk about my daughter's issues in front of my daughter and I am not about to let someone else do that either. Especially not some coward counselor who is supposed to be on my daughter's side. Jenny was very kind and I told her I wish it had turned out different because my daughter really needs help, but I will not continue to support Dr. Amanda and her rude, unprofessional ways.
Apr 5th, 2019

Jun 27th, 2018

I have worked at this facility in the past. My interactions with staff and clients have always been very professional. I have noticed the people who actually complete reviews are usually those who have a bad experience. The hundreds if not thousands of clients we have served over the years who have had wonderful experiences do not complete reviews. This is probably because they value their privacy and do not want the entire internet to know they are seeing a counselor (they are well within their rights to do this and it makes sense to me). However, people who don't mind tearing down others and making what are likely false accusation ( I know this because I was there when many of these things were said to have happened but didn't) always seem to find their way onto the internet. Trolls always do. It is very unfortunate because I know how hard these clinicians work day in and day out to serve their community with very little in the way of appreciation or compensation (don't even get me started about the insurance companies not wanting to pay claims). All I can ask is that you take each review with a grain of salt (both positive and negative) and let your experience be your guide. This facility is one of the nicest in North Georgia. The clinicians are second to none and work hard for their clients. Don't let the opinion of one or two angry and bitter individuals taint the good name of a business which helps to community on a daily basis. Oh yeah, one more thing. I love Tazo! He is the cutest dog in the world. Just my biased opinion :) Look at the picture......you will agree :)
Aug 17th, 2018