Potomac Psychological Center, LLC

Reviews 7

RO

Robert D

My wife and I brought our daughter, who was experiencing some anxiety issues, to the Potomac Psychological Center where she was seen by Rachel Helft in early 2016. During the first meeting with our 15-year-old daughter and my wife, Rachel recommended to our daughter that she be medicated, to provide her with a mechanism to assist with her anxiety. The suggestion for medication was made without prior parental consultation. A disclaimer, I’m not an anti-medication person. If my daughter needs to be medicated, she’ll be medicated. Nonetheless, I was taken-aback by that recommendation from Rachel, who is not a psychiatrist. What’s more, our daughter looked up to Rachel as the professional that she is, as one who might view a doctor prescribing medicine to a patient. Our daughter was excited about the possibility of taking a pill that might make her feel better (who wouldn’t?). When I attempted to follow-up with Rachel by phone to indicate that I was hesitant about the medication recommendation, at least for now, Rachel told me that she would be happy to further discuss the matter if I had the permission of my 15-year-old daughter. Rachel then rather abruptly ended the conversation and said she needed to go; I didn’t get a follow-up phone call. My wife also reached-out to Rachel with a voicemail message, asking that we (the parents) meet with Rachel, separately, before our daughter’s second visit to be sure we were all on the same page. Rachel did not return my wife’s call prior to that second appointment. On an aside, my wife and I both plead guilty to making a rookie mistake here, with our first child to enter counseling. We should have recognized the warning signs and moved-on. But our daughter felt comfortable with Rachel, and we felt an obligation to our daughter to make the best of the situation, hoping our input would be considered. At the second visit, where we were kept waiting for nearly 30 minutes without an explanation nor an apology, Rachel indicated that she would not meet with us (the parents) separately and asked the three of us (parents and daughter) to join her in her office to discuss. During that session, I asked if Rachel might feel comfortable exploring some non-medication coping mechanisms, first. Rachel indicated that she was not comfortable with that possibility. Needless to say, this second session, in the presence of our daughter, did not help her anxiety. The meeting ended soon thereafter with our daughter in tears and the three of us quietly and quickly moving out the Potomac Psychological Center’s reception area. As we left, Rachel followed us out, to be sure we made another appointment. No follow-up call from Rachel to see if everything was OK. As a therapist, I would assume Rachel had the wherewithal to see that everything was not OK at the end of that second session. Months later (I waited this long before writing this review), our daughter is seeing another counselor at another practice. She’s doing much better, with non-medication coping mechanisms for now and an open mind should the need for medication arise in the future. Although weve moved-on, I’ve not been able to shake the short, poor, and bizarre experience we had with Rachel and the Potomac Psychological Center. The non-returned calls, the excessive waiting in the reception area, and the directive that we needed the permission from our minor child to discuss her treatment hit on several doesn’t-seem-right marks. Most of all, we were very troubled by what still seems like a shoot-from-the-hip medication recommendation, made directly to an impressionable 15-year-old kid by someone who was not legally permitted to make such a recommendation. It didn’t add-up then, nor now. In my opinion, that seemingly unethical and borderline-dangerous story needed to be told.

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MI

Michael Lauer

Very poor customer service. My son missed a scheduled appointment with counselor Shelby Browlee on December 2, 2014. I admit that we forgot about the appointment. We rescheduled, and when we showed up for the next appointment I was charged $125.00 for the missed appointment. I told them this was the first time we had missed an appointment, and I also mentioned that in my defense they did not bother to provide us with a "courtesy reminder call" as all of my other doctors and dentists do. I asked if we could be given a "mulligan" since it was the first time. They told me I could fill out a written appeal (which I did), and it was immediately rejected. I was shocked that they would treat their customers this way, especially considering that it was the first time my son had been scheduled to see this particular counselor. Even the dreaded credit card companies have a “mulligan” policy for customers who miss a first time payment.

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Christine Clark

Pretty good, certainly better at returning calls and making sure you can see your therapist regularly than any other psychologist we have ever attempted to go to. Took both my children at separate times, for separate issues, first did not click super well with the counselor, however he was a sensitive and kind guy - and that was affirming for my one child. Second was also sensitive and logical person, and I do think was effective for my other child. The practice did recognize the couple times my son (with other health issues) simply had to cancel at the last minute due to illness, and after applying for an exception they removed the missed appt charges. (Which were pretty steep, but if you figure they have to cover the appt cost, and cant process via insurance, the charge kind of makes sense).

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MA

Mark Novak

unbelievably bad service. Ive been coming here for years and the front-desk is something to laugh at if it werent so sad. very unorganized and just seething with discontent. I bet this office has a few toxic employees that just make life miserable for everyone. thank god I only have to come here every few months! mental health services in general are overloaded and lacking resources. this is no exception. some of the doctors look kinda off, making me think were working with the B-team here. this may seem like a harsh assessment, but Im suffering from crappy service fatigue. so over it. dr AK seems like a good doctor, very polite, but one of her diplomas or awards on the wall is framed and in MS Comic Sans font.

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ST

Stormdust007

Dr. Abdel-Kader is the best psychiatrist I have had in my 12 years of searching for mental health treatment. Not only is she the first to prescribe a medication combination that works for me (has made such a positive difference in my life!), she also takes the time during my appointments to get to know me as a person. Every psychiatrist I have visited before would spend up to 5 minutes with me, hand me a prescription and kick me out the door. Dr. AK asks about my home life, my work environment, my family, as well as how I feel the medication is working for me. She is such an intelligent, caring woman. I HIGHLY recommend her!

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j spammer

I am another person that has had a horrible experience with Potomac Psychological center. I was seen by Shelby Brownlee. The front desk and billing department are BY FAR the worst I have ever encountered. There are so many other places to go if you need help, please avoid them at all cost! In your time of need, these people do everything they can to extort money from you, missed appointment fees for appointments you didnt make, never following up on up coming appointments. Just a really bad experience.

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DA

Dave Coleman

Extremely poor customer service. They have flat out lied to me on the phone regarding a prescription refill. I have been overcharged several times. The doctors and therapists are incompetent. I have had numerous scripts written that were for the wrong dosage, the wrong medication or the wrong refill date. I would not recommend this place to anyone.

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