Hayden Dover, MFT – Body Oriented Psychotherapy

I was struggling through some signs of depression related to work, my love/​sex life, and relationships in general, and finally decided I needed to do something about it. Every session (besides the first when I just yapped his ear off the entire hour, lol) he helped me delve into the actual issues at hand. He has a way of helping you see what is really going on with your life without all the filters you put on it to see it the way you want. In one recent session, I had a breakthrough where I couldn’t stop laughing and crying tears of joy as I realized there is nothing wrong with me and I am lucky to be here in such a special place. Seeing him has been worth every penny.

My fiancé and I went to Hayden for premarital counseling and I cant tell you how helpful he is. He really hones in on your issues and finds out ways for couples to compromise with each other. He offers great exercises to practice at home and each session taught us something new about each other. I would strongly recommend seeking Hayden’s advice prior to a wedding as there are so many stressors that having a 3^rd party can help ease.

I first started going to Hayden as a therapist back in 2010. I was having some hard times and, at that point, I was in between staying here in the USA or going back to Brazil (my home country).
Long story short, 5 years went by and I keep seeing him for many reasons. It is awesome to be at a point in my life where I feel empowered enough to manifest my visions of a better life.
I do work hard on becoming the best version of myself I can be, however, I have no doubt that Hayden has a significant part in helping me on my journey.
If you are looking for someone who can objectively give you guidance and, at the same time, be caring and nurturing, do not look any further. You will be in great hands.

I have been going to see Hayden for several months now, first for couples therapy and then on my own. In both situations I have found him to be insightful, caring, knowledgeable, and helpful. I think he is very good at creating and maintaining a nonjudgmental space where you can analyze your issues and see them for what they are, and not just how they are making you feel. I have referred one friend, and will continue to do so. I have been to a few other therapists and find him to possess a greater talent and ability to help you understand yourself, and to work through the issues you have. He has helped me reach breakthroughs with things I have struggled with my whole life, and I am so grateful for that.

A great therapist. Helped me get to a much better place then where I was. Very grateful and thankful

Like doubtless many of his clients, I was a wreck when I first met Hayden. I was reaching out from rock bottom, using therapy as a last-​ditch effort to save a failing relationship, more ultimatum than decision. I gravitated towards his practice over others, intrigued by his unique mind/​body approach to therapy, which jived with a lot of my personal beliefs as well as my education in cognitive science.
While the relationship ended shortly after — a positive thing, as I eventually realized — I continued my sessions with Hayden, following the breadcrumbs of life, love, and goals that we uncovered during our conversations.
It’s been nearly a year now, with appointments almost every week, and I can scarcely recognize myself from the broken mess that spilled my guts in his office that one night. I’ve improved in nearly every measurable area of my life, and while it’s still a process, I don’t think I’ve ever felt this in control of my own destiny.
Is this all his doing? Of course not, and he wouldn’t be worthy of this review if he let me believe that my success was solely thanks to him. But his support, understanding, and advice provides the launchpad upon which my own rockets may ignite, and his counsel has been invaluable as I steer my ship through tight spaces.
I can’t say how Hayden will be for you, as we all need different kinds of support. But in my own experience, he’s been affirming, empowering, honest, and challenging, never telling me only what I want to hear, nor dispensing tough love for its own sake; and the whole while, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge and understanding about human nature, brimming with tools and resources. What you are acquiring is the best friend you’ve ever had, and the fact that his time has a measurable value does nothing to diminish its authenticity or efficacy. He cares, tremendously, and it shows.
And sometimes that’s what we need the most.

I have been going through a tough time dealing my wife’s diagnosis of dementia and all the issues that come up with it. My whole perspective on life was turned upside down and I was really having trouble seeing the world while hanging from my feet.
I found Hayden on Unilocal,gave him a call, and we met for a complimentary introduction appointment which was great, as we were both able to see if we could work together. He is very relaxed… and he listens! The reason I stressed this is that the person I was seeing before seem to find it more beneficial to talk more than me. Anyways, we set up a first session and away we went. A bonus for me in my situation was that Hayden spent some time working in a dementia type facility at one point in his career. Therefore he was extra helpful in helping me see more clearly what was going on with my wife’s reality.
The real beauty of what Hayden teaches though is that the body as a whole is much more involved with how we feel in life. It’s not just all in the head, and this approach really hit home for me as I was finding myself living my life barely breathing, with shoulders hunched up around my ears. His emphasis on breathing correctly really showed me how much stress I had stored up in my body… and during one session, my keystone session, that built up stress dam broke… Wow! Had not felt that relaxed lord knows when.
Back to my point about how he listens. He does… and he really cares. Thanks again Hayden.

I love how Hayden is so practical and logical about some of the most unnecessarily emotionally laden issues, including existential, which is foundational. He’s helped to add practical support and structure to so much that I have been through, and is diverse in somatic interventions so there is always much to explore with him, and within. Getting to know him, just enough to connect and heal, through his humor and presence has been a special gift in my life.
I highly recommend Hayden!

A rare and precious jewel in his profession. I hate to over praise him only because I want to selfishly keep him all to myself. But of course, he is too good to keep a secret, and I want others to benefit from his services, too.
For starters, his office is conveniently located in the Hillcrest area, with two assigned free parking spots. He keeps the interior clean and tidy, but cozy. It also has a large window along a private below-​ground patio where light filters in from about, but the street traffic seems non-​existent – so very Zen.
As for Hayden, I really don’t know how to describe him other than gushing on and on; he is gentle, patient, encouraging, nurturing, genuine and empowering. Some say therapists are «friends that you pay for.» Well, he is one of the best I could ask for, and at the best rate. And because many of us have more than our fair share of emotional baggage and demons that haunt us, sometimes you just need a more anonymous and professionally trained friend to listen to you and guide you through those rough spots, amirite?
But Hayden does a little more than just listen. His techniques don’t seem obvious to me, yet he is so unlike any therapist I’ve ever had. He manage to help me to discover my old patterns, and through understanding them, break beyond them. It’s a process, which take a little time and effort, but I usually feel good by the end of each visit and friends and family have even noted that I’ve somehow grown noticeably. I attribute a lot of that to my visits with Hayden.

Hayden has been an integral part of our healing process as individuals and as a couple. He brings humor and empathy into the therapy process! We are still going indefinitely and recommend him very highly!! – Even though me and my fiancé ended up breaking it off I am continuing to see Hayden super cool guy ;)

It’s an honor to write a review for such an amazing person.
Hayden helped me though a very difficult time, when I could feel depression creeping back into my life. I was incredibly afraid it would take over again, but I didn’t know how to stop it. Early on I told him that I could talk forever about my feelings or my past, but what I needed was direction and clear answers. Instead of just passively listening, he gave me the tools to make the positive changes that fended off that depression.
His intelligent and caring, interactive approach to our sessions taught me about re-​connecting with my body and my creativity. Those were the exact tools I needed to make the real changes in my life.
Hayden is not your typical therapist. He creates a safe space, where you can be yourself. He asks pertinent questions, and gives thoughtful answers. He actively listens, keeps you focused, and through his profound sense of compassion, helps you make actual progress. By paying attention to both the physical and emotional, he showed me a connection to my body that I didn’t know existed. Now I know how to trust its signals, and use healthy habits to avoid the cycles of depressive thinking. Actual tools, actual change.
Though not every therapist will be a perfect fit for everyone, Hayden is intelligent, caring, compassionate, action-​oriented and truly focused on restoring your complete health including the health of your relationships. In my opinion, you could not ask for a better partner in that journey.

Where do I begin…
Okay, I’ll begin with how lucky you over there are in San Diego…
I met and began working with Hayden in 2007. From the start I felt very comfortable and within just a few months I was on a plane with my husband on our way to Maui for our first time. That’s very significant as I was pretty much anxiety ridden and a bit agoraphobic. Oh, it wasn’t «magic» as I still had the nerves going on, but I had been in therapy years before, and 15 years (off and on) of talking and my therapist even offering her Maui condo… well, it just never happened. Already our work together had re-​awakened my strength and courage and that was just the beginning. :-)
In a nutshell, what Hayden provided for me was a very safe and nurturing environment. I went every week for 18 months and twice a month with my husband for couples therapy. I was dedicated to getting my life back, and yes, it takes work and commitment like that. Not only did I end up growing, learning and changing more than I did with all previous years of therapy and self-​help, but my husband and I were and still are communicating much, much better.
If you are tired of seeing «Stare-​apists…» you know, the ones that stare at you for 50 minutes then tell you your «time is almost up» and would much rather see a «Care-​apist,» who genuinely wants to sit beside you while you find or grow into all that you can be… give Hayden a call.