Paula Harwood Mckenna

Easily the worst Nurse Practitioner I have ever had. She lacks empathy and is not equipped to treat clients with mental health issues. She is beyond cold and should not be interacting with clients who are vulnerable.

I've found Paula to be an exceptionally thorough Medical Professional. She takes into account the "whole patient" and listens to your goals. She helped me reach full remission of symptoms with undiagnosed mental health issues and she provided solutions where others hadn't been able. Wholeheartedly recommend!

Paula is incredible. I'm really thankful for everything shes done for me. She listens, and is so kind and caring. Because of her i've improved drastically and have been able to accomplish so much since starting as her patient. She's so professional and has a lot of patience for her clients in low times which I'm so grateful for. I could not think more highly of her than I do, and I wouldn't be where I'm at now if it weren't for her.

Paula Harwood is extremely professional, timely on taking care of issues, cares about helping you. I recommend her.

I left feeling hopeless and she didn’t give me any path to help me in any way. I will not be coming back. Go straight to the doctor next time.

I sought Paula in desperation to help me adjust to some significant life changes I was struggling with. For my first visit, she spent so much time talking to me, listening to me, and actually HEARING me. She was so engaged in getting an accurate evaluation, she went so far as to ask if he next patient didn't mind waiting a few extra minutes so we could finish up. Paula speaks calmly and clearly. She portrays an atmosphere of balance and clarity consistently, time and time again. Since working together, she has helped me find a balance of medication and lifestyle changes that have allowed me to advance in my career and my personal life. I still have a long way to go, but the path toward progress has to start with YOU. If you go into it with an open mind, and a willingness to cooperate, I believe she can do the same for you. This is a Doctor who stands by her ethics, and her oath. She will not push pills that she doesn't believe in. She will not help you chemically lobotomize yourself.

I have been seeing Paula for about 2 years now. Was very hesitant due to the fact I had to change providers . My last provider whom I loved went to UCSD and they would not accept me as a patient with my Scripps insurance or being self pay stating I had to be an existing patient of UCSD. (I work in the Medical field and why I could not pay cash is weird but that’s UCSD) Anyway, It all worked out. The first time I went to see Paula I was not sure about her. Of course it takes time to build a relationship with any medical provider so I though I would give her another try. Sure enough, just the second visit I felt more comfortable and she made me feel at ease. She was easy to talk to regarding my anxiety issues. She took the time to listen to my needs and to try different techniques to ease the anxiety. Two years later Iam still seeing her. My anxiety is much better and happy to know she is always there when I need someone to talk to. She always returns my calls in a timely manner and is extremely professional. Happy I found her and took the chance! I highly recommend Paula!!!

I have sought proper diagnosis and treatment for a mental health condition. I've cycled through many different products and trials until I was referred to her. Psychiatry is a funny discipline, because patients love to self-diagnose and self-recommend courses of therapy. I found Paula willing to consider my opinions -- most of which turned out to be useless, until I finally "surrendered" and accepted all of her advice and recommendations. I've been satisfied now with my condition for over six months. No, doctors don't give you everything you want and demand. Just go with an open mind and allow the specialists to do what they do best.

I have been coming to Paula for over a year now and she has always been helpful, resourceful, honest, and professional. She takes my vitals, asks me all the right questions and every time I call for a prescription refill or med question, she calls in my meds or returns my call within 24 hours. I actually look forward to seeing her at my med checks!

Had an appointment for my ADHD (been diagnosed in the past and currently taking medication for it) she seemed to keep insisting that I had an easting disorder due to the fact I’m very thing. I explained to her my parents are very thin and I eat a very High calorie diet as well as I am very active with sports and working out and due to the adhd the h being the hyperactive part. She seemed to suggest that I need therapy and that I wasn’t honest with how much I eat and was trying to convince me I had an eating disorder and that I don’t even have adhd. She wasn’t helpful by any means. She also informed me she doesn’t deal with ADD or ADHD but when I scheduled the appointment they asked what it was for I said ADHD. So not only was she very unhelpful and rude her people working in the office wasted my time and were obviously very uneducated. Would definitely not recommend.

Very impatient, very rude, very condescending, to say the least. She doesn't so much as help people with mental disorders but instead makes the patient feel like they're solely to blame for everything and shouldn't be there in the first place wasting her time.