I left a full-length review on their Rancho Bernardo page, but the bottom line is that PCSD is terrible. I'm urging everyone with issues with the company to file a grievance with their insurance company so maybe we'll have better mental health options in the future. A few of my biggest complaints: Having to wait six weeks for an appointment with a therapist and then another two months for a follow up appointment. Having a nurse practitioner tell me to "get over it" when I told him about something that was bothering me. Having a psychiatrist tell me I couldn't have insomnia medication right now because I'll be trying to get pregnant in a month from now and she doesn't seem to understand how pregnancy works. read more

Do yourself a favor and never come to this organization. It is corporate run and all they care about is money. The medicines that they prescribe are not valid and very addicting. They are cold and heartless therapists read more

Dr zeidman his staff dont care about you please find another doctor.. this one doesn't care for you just wants to give you any meds so you can leave....just akd you questions from a questionnaire ...you can do that yourself on google hes a joke read more

I just did a video visit with Pamela Velardi. I could not believe how incredibly disrespectful she is and wonder why she bothers being in this field. How can someone who deals with mental health issues be so judgmental, rude and abrasive? I provided my experience with Kaiser, and her response was I find that hard to believe. She asked me questions from her checklist, and if I offered more information, she cut me off saying I am going off topic and need to stick to the questions. Every time I answered, she wrote whatever it was down and would slam her pen onto the desk. She prescribed me a medication I had never heard about before, so I told her that. Rather than telling me about the medication, she said well I know what it is and I prescribe it all the time. I cut the appointment early because there is no way I would ever want to work with her again. PCSD, how is Pamela still employed after the multiple complaints against her? I will be going to the licensing board because she does not need to be in the field of helping people with mental health issues. read more

This place is the worst for psychiatric care. I have never felt so immediately judged in my life. The intake staff was nice enough, but the NP was rude, condescending, and acted as though I were an inconvenience to her. Once my intake was finished and I finally met with the doctor himself, I was greeted by the most arrogant man I've ever met. He was with a shadow for the day and couldn't toot his own horn enough, all the while, making me feel like I wasnt even in the room. I was told to quit doing the one thing that makes me feel normal and to come back when I wasnt looking for "more medications." All I was looking for was help. read more

Nurse Practitioner Pamela Velardi is easily the best mental health professional I've been lucky enough to have as my mental health provider. From the beginning she listened to me and we worked together to provide treatment for my long term challenges with bipolar disorder. She is always well prepared for our appointment and she provides great insight to help me with my issues or concerns. She got my medication adjusted and today I can say I am happy, productive, and blessed. She always returns my phone call promptly and follows up on any questions I have. I would have no hesitation referring my friends/family to Ms. Velardi. Psychiatric Centers is fortunate to have such a dedicated and caring employee. I look forward to continuing my treatment with Ms. Verlardi and I wholeheartedly recommend her as a mental health provider. read more

It is difficult to review the entire Psych Centers operation, as providers and office locations are VERY different. The one star is for the La Mesa office. From the front desk to the medical providers, my experience was dreadful. Too busy to answer phones or check patients in. This may be due to understaffing, not just rudeness, but I really don't know. First session with therapist who typed the entire time, and then offered advice on par with positive thinking bumper stickers. A rude psychiatrist completely lacking in empathy. This all adds up to one star. I will not be returning to this office. I know this is not the standard at all the PsychCenters offices. read more

Simply the WORST, WORST place ever! If you try to switch providers because your current provider was not a good fit for your child, your appointment gets canceled with the new provider you want your child to see. And you are never notified until THE DAY OF your appointment! Oh my gosh, was I LIVID!! I am my child's only and best advocate. I had requested to see a different nurse practitioner because Pamela Velarde was callous, insensitive and arrogant. I had the same experience as another reviewer said. When I disagreed with the treatment she was offering to my child, she says to me, "You can always find another provider." So I did! BUT, I was questioned in doing so. My child's case was referred to a case manager. I was questioned why I was "bouncing around" (their words, not mine) from provider to provider. Really? R E A L L Y? I felt like I was being judged as a crazy Munchhausen type of mom or worse, that I am trying to unnecessarily drug up my child with Xanax when I was was only trying to get my child on more effective anxiety drug other than a prescription strength ANTIHISTAMINE (Vistaril) and maybe, just maybe on a conservative dosage of a mood stabilizer! I told her because I am advocating for the best and CORRECT treatment for my child's escalating symptoms. You guys don't live with my child. YOU don't see his everyday mood swings all over the spectrum! You can't blame it on hormones anymore when he is damn near a grown man! Why won't anyone listen to us? When I explain that my child has been in and out of PCSD since he was SIX YEARS-OLD, and nearly 18, you think that is some type of red flag and that it is quite possible he is being misdiagnosed and therefore being put on medications that exacerbates manic depressive symptoms?!!! But, oh noooo! I am looked upon like I am some stupid idiot seeking attention! Do you think I want my kid to have this?! Hell no! I just want him WHOLE and WELL! It's been a hell of a long 11 years! I just want him, and my family, to finally get the peace of mind with the right diagnosis and treatment plan!! I want someone to LISTEN TO US and get off their damn high horse, get over their big fat ego and really listen and act in kind! I don't care if you are a MD, PHD, PsyD, PMHNP, SOB, POS or whatever! Anyone can "google that $hit!" Also - for the gross lack of compassion, bedside manner and sensitivity my child has received. I lashed back, "Especially the sensitivity of the nature of this type of medical care being MENTAL HEALTH you think they would take a little more care in their patient approach!" The other one was psychiatrist Dr. Lowry. He was cold and condescending. I had to reschedule an appointment with him due to the fact my 1st cousin was getting married and my child was in the wedding rehearsal. When we went to the rescheduled appointment that was 2 1/2 weeks later, he tells me, "You need to keep your son's appointments as scheduled so that I may see him on a regular, consistent manner." I told him about my cousin's wedding. He says to me, (and I am not kidding), "I don't care if it is his own sister's wedding. You need to keep his regular appointments. His mental care is more important." I was flabbergasted! I mean, it was only 2 1/2 weeks later! My child wasn't being treated for psychosis or schizophrenia, something serious like that for pete's sake! However, we left him to the other worst aforementioned, Pamela Velarde. Since I was not allowed to take my child to see a nurse practitioner at the pediatric center that came highly recommended by my psychiatric nurse practitioner, we were forced to see Dr. Zeidman. I have no further comment there. I cannot explain into adequate or descriptive enough words for that one. I am so beyond fed up and DONE with PCSD. We have no other choice. My insurance is Sharp Healthplan and PCSD is the only mental health provider they contract with. Maybe it has something to do with that Sharp Healthcare owns PCSD. As big of a health care provider that Sharp Healthcare is - the second biggest in southern California - one would think there would be more than 1 mental health group to contract with. read more

If I could give this place a negative star I would. Like many others on here this office makes and cancels appointments without notice. We were charged for missing a appointment that dr Richard katnik cancelled in the first place. Their record keeping is horrible. When I explained their error to them they said I would need to write a letter explaining it. I did. 6 months later I get a $70.00 missed appointment fee. I kept all my records and resubmitted the letter. This place should be investigated for "stealing" money from their patients. Who knows who else has been a victim. STAY AWAY!!! read more

Worst experience ever. Front desk is a bunch of clowns. Got 2 no-show fees for NO reason and can't explain it to these bozos.

The staff is friendly, also it is easy to obtain follow up appointments.

Care provided by Pamela Velardi was unprofessional in a manner words cannot begin to explain. She is abrasive, rude, uncaring. Genuinely seems like she hates what she does for a living and takes it out on patients. I thought after speaking with her for a telehealth appointment perhaps she was having a bad day and I was the person she was taking it out on. After reviewing much of her history with other patients, this is in fact her personality. I beg the question where she was licensed? Nowhere can I find any information on her credentials. Makes me concerned for future patients. read more

Was in the waiting room for almost 2 hours, talked to Pamela for 10 minutes and she just talked down to me and treated me like shit and sent me back to the waiting room, if PCSD is your only option I'd highly recommend SUICIDE over going to this hellhole. It also cost me $60 for all of this... NO HELP!!! read more

Pamela is fantastic. She listens and finds the best medicine combinations. I wish she did talk therapy too as I would go to her for that as well. read more

As a decades plus patient of the PCSD La Mesa office, I have had occasional issues with the front office staff. In the past year, it has gone steadily downhill. It is impossible to even get through as they do not bother to answer the phones at all! When I actually speak to a receptionist, they're rude and occasionally sound irritated to have to assist me. This final straw for me has been this past week in particular. My medication needs a refill. My pharmacy has sent in the request-TWICE. No response from my doctor at all. I cannot reach anyone to get this resolved as the staff doesn't answer the phone, nor does it roll to voicemail to leave a message. It seems that I'm going to have to actually GO TO THE OFFICE IN PERSON to confront the staff to send the refill information to my pharmacy. I will NEVER go back to this office. This goes beyond unprofessional behavior by staff and physicians. This is negligence as this is affecting my ability to receive crucial psychiatric medication. I am contemplating filing a grievance with PCSD corporate and possibly the medical board. If I could leave a review with zero stars I would. read more

For a mental health provider, this place is absolutely horrible, lacks client care, and is employed with a staff that's narrow minded and culturally insensitive. I will not be returning here and I advise anyone else seeking therapy, to go elsewhere to avoid wasting their time here. My therapist did nothing but make judgmental and insensitive comments as well as victim blame throughout the session. I'm surprised the staff here are licensed- they need some serious training on how to build a healthy professional relationship with their clientele. read more

Avoid Pamela Velardi at all costs. That woman is evil and should not be working with mentally ill patients. The last appointment I had with her began with her immediately accusing me of being drunk. Mind you, this was a noon appointment and I'd come straight from work, so obviously I hadn't even had any alcohol prior to arriving. Then during the appointment I told her that a doctor from a psych hospital I was recently at had taken me off of my medication (Lamictal) cold turkey, which he wasn't supposed to do, and Pamela lashed out at me, called me a liar, said that a doctor wouldn't do that, etc. Then she pulled up my hospital record and saw that I was telling the truth, and then started calling me an alcoholic and a drug addict, all claims that are completely untrue as I don't even use drugs and I barely drink. Then, after telling me that it was psychologically dangerous for me not to be on Lamictal, she sent me away without prescribing any to me, saying, "Sorry, next time don't schedule an appointment at lunch. I have other stuff to do." and sent me away. Just like that. She also had continually accused me of being drunk - when she was the one who actually was slurring her words and couldn't seem to even walk properly. Hmmm. I ended up leaving in tears and had to go back to work with puffy red eyes and felt worse than I had before I saw her. I keep playing phone tag with the patient representative woman but I'm really hoping she does something about Pamela Velardi. Given these reviews I'm seeing - it looks like I'm not the first one to have issues with her. read more

there really needs to be an option for negative stars.... This is a hack shop, waste of money, HORRIBLE service, an over charging, 0 customer service based company. Both reviews below are written by staff, as you will notice should you go here. The appointments are minimum 6 weeks out for scheduling, and the gal that feels like she lives there, is a sure sign of the lack of service you will get, just keep coming back is there motto. So in early Dec we decided marriage counseling was our only option. Late Jan we had out first apt. Call now if you want to start counseling by the end of summer!!! Then they have no real appointment system, they call out some dates and you either confirm or deny them and better write them down yourself as you get no confirmation of the appointment, no courtesy call, no confirmation email.... nothing. It's their great way of making money - you see your never sure if your appointments are still ago since they change and cancel your appointments routinely. This happened to us, and then they slap you with a $70.00 - no show no call bill. We called to confirm out evening appointment and the office was closed at 4:30 thus we didn't go, the office is closed. And 2 weeks later a $70.00 bill arrived. Yup, it costs almost double to miss your appointment, that was never confirmed. Oh and you pay $40.00 for about 35 minutes of counseling, which I use the term counseling loosely. Heck at one appointment we learned that our Dr. Calex works at the jail in south bay and how the inmates are miss treated and have no opportunity when they are released. Nothing about what we were dealing with or working towards. So today, we get another bill in the mail charging us for an appointment we already paid for. My husband went down there and had to fight with them over it showing we have paid. What idiots, you pay THEN you see the doctor, so why would I have a bill due. Billing is out of control, and this company needs to be regulated as they are falling so short in so many areas. I have left several messages with no return call and I am still waiting for Tran - the supervisor of customer service to contact me back regarding the above issues, but since they are so in the wrong she wont call. So my last message was to take me to collections I have so much proof to prove this company is a hack job. THIS REVIEW IS TO HELP YOU, don't allow them to cause more issues for you. read more

PCSD is terrible. If you have the option to go elsewhere, please stay away. They're carless, unprofessional, front office is so rude.

I had a very bizarre meeting with a counselor today. We were referred my our pediatrician to seek counseling through our insurance so they set us up with a marriage and family therapist. When the counselor finally called us she told us to sit down. She did not introduce herself or have us introduce us or ask why we are seeking service. She started out with saying if we miss any appointments we have to pay a fee of 60$ and she is a mandatory reporter so if she feels that she sees any abuse she has to report it. Then she moves on to say that she will not do any therapy today and that she will only do intake form today which will take one hour. Also next time we don't have to both come and can wait outside. She still doesn't know our names nor why were here. I told her I would never let my 5 year old child talk to her by himself. So she starts with asking who referred us and she didn't know who that was. So I finally started asking what her experience is which children his age and ADHD. She got very defensive and said why are we're doing this right now? We will do intake form now. I insist and She says she has 18yrs experience with group therapy on adolescence and group homes of children 6-10.I tell her so you don't have experience with smaller children? Then she picks out the book about disabilities and reads off all the symptoms about ADHD described in the book and asks us if he has them! She had to check her book!!! Then she asks me where I would place him on the functioning scale. I told her I have no training in this kind of scoring, so I wouldn't know, shouldn't she? I have many red flags just about her behavior and lack of experience now going off. I don't think I'll be returning there I am very worried where to get therapy for my son, since this is where my insurance send me :( read more

Felicia G. horrible rude counselor, from her disgusting yelp reviews no wonder she receives bad service where ever she goes . It goes to show what a miserable person Felicia G. is. I will never returned to this place. read more

I found Nurse Practitioner Pamela Velardi to be caring, thoughtful, and it was evident to me from our first meeting that she had my best interests in mind. Every time I see her, she collaborates with me on my treatment plan and listens to me when I voice my concerns regarding any topic that is relevant to my treatment plan. I would say to those that are unhappy with her services as a prescriber of medication, that it is completely inappropriate to dictate, what medication(s), if any, NP Velardi should or should not prescribe to you. It is clear that Ms. Velardi is a highly intelligent, experienced, and very well educated provider, not to mention kind and caring. I feel as though it is completely wrong and immoral to criticize NP Velardi on a public forum where everyone can see, as opposed to working your issue out personally with NP Velardi. Publicly criticizing someone for their treatment plan, which is based on education, experience, and research,is in my opinion just wrong. If you disagree with her assessment of you and what, if anything, she has or has not prescribed to you, you can always go see a different provider. It seems silly to write nasty comments about her and the job she does, in my opinion very well, on-line. read more

This was my first time at Psychiatric Centers At San Diego (La Mesa). It was a pleasant experience, I was seen by the nurse practitioner Lisa and then followed up by the doctor. They were both thorough and kind. I believe this is probably the best PCSD of all the branches here in San Diego although I haven't been to any of the other ones. read more

When you make an appointment and are told to arrive at 7am. Someone should be there to open the door. When I called they said someone is on the way... seriously. They kept me waiting for over 30 minutes and there is still no one here. What a disgrace. read more

You can't even cancel appointments here because you can never get through to an employee, and then you get charged for not showing up. The actual doctors are just as awful. The first nurse practitioner I saw (can't remember her name, never wish to see her again), told me she didn't know why I was depressed after being diagnosed with a chronic illness. How nice. I wish I could give -5 stars for the business and -1 million for her, as a person. read more

Brought my husband to see Dr. Nita Paintal after he suffered several strokes. This was my first experience with any psychiatrist. Lead time for this appointment with Dr. Paintal was a little over two months. We received a reminder call the day before the appointment. We arrived early (as requested of first time patients) and the office staff were professional, efficient and friendly. Dr. Paintal saw my husband at his scheduled appointment time. She was engaged and thorough, as well as kind and patient. I felt she listened carefully to my thoughts as well as to those of my husband. Dr. Paintal put us both at ease. She wrapped up the appointment by providing us with her professional opinion and several helpful recommendations for his situation. I would recommend her. read more

Waited and hour and 45 minutes to see the doctor. My appointment was at 8am. Was in his office 6 minutes. JUST NO and receptionists are f****** rude. Not cool for a place that is supposed to TREAT emotionally sensitive people. read more

Most horrifying experience where you wonder is this lady for real? She is rude, cold, condescending, and has the worst bed side manner. I quit pursuing therapy because I left feeling worse than I arrived. If I could give her a zero rating, I would. I work in a corporate environment with professionals and I assure you, she is not one. read more

Absolutely the worst psychiatric evaluation I've ever experienced. Rude, unprofessional, and malinformed of psychiatric disorders. Don't waste your time or money. read more

the entire staff is unprofessional and at times down right rude. I have a family member who when there as was charged for the appointments because they claimed they could not confirm the other insurance. After I finally called after getting a release from this family member and them hearing they were being reported finally a call suddenly confirmed I also faxed paper work to show secondary coverage. In Billing there was a woman Kathy who was nice but very misinformed about which doctors took the insurance. However several times I spoke with Sergio and he is plane rude tries to talk over you ignores what you say and even attempts to raise his voice when you are trying to explain who your carriers are. However because they didn't want to be investigated when they realized who they were dealing with the refund came in 2 weeks .....also Dr. Koelle was extremely rude unprofessional and down right harmful considering the patient he was dealing with had been hospitalized for a suicide attempt and I sat in on one of the visits myself upon my family members request. I can tell you I helped to find a wonderful caring doctor for them and they are doing much better now. Please if you or someone you know or care about has mental health issues stay away from this place they are the worst place We have ever dealt with from the appointment receptionists to the doctors to the billing people to the regional manager named Trinh Trinh Her direct # should you ever need it not that she was helpful is 619-528-4600 ext 6015 and we did file complaints with both insurance companies. But again if you truly need help make this your last option you might leave worse than you started after how they treat you....very sad.. I wish I could give 0 stars read more

Dr. Nita Paintal was called to assess my father in a local nursing home, without my knowledge or consent as power of attorney. She arrived at 7 AM in the morning, determined that my father was mumbling and incoherent, and therefore could not be assessed. She ignored the fact that he had been given a double dose of Ambien along with Risperdal and Vicodin the night before, and was still under the effects of these drugs. Yet, she prescribed more Risperdal. He died a short time later. If Dr. Pintail had been a competent doctor, she would have read his med list before attempting to assess him, and would have realized that the nursing home was over medicating him without consent. Avoid this doctor at all costs. read more

I've never felt more uncomfortable at a doctor visit in my life. The nurse practitioner, Pamela Velardi was cold and rude. I was answering her questions honestly and she sat there and told me I wasn't making sense. Perhaps she doesn't understand plain English. She kept glaring at me as if she was annoyed at all my answers. Then I was made to wait until the doctor came back from wherever he was. When he finally showed up, I was taken to his office where he had a medical student and the NP sitting in. I felt so uncomfortable having to talk about very personal stuff with 3 people staring at me. He asked me completely irrelevant questions and then after a whole 2 minutes of speaking with me, basically told me that my previous doctor (that I've seen for 2 years) was wrong, that I don't have ptsd, I'm probably just "sad", and that I'm on the wrong medication. (that I've been doing well on for a while after struggling to find the right ones for me for a year) Then he wanted to drastically reduce the dosage of a med you are supposed to taper off of, and when I protested, the nurse practitioner practically rolled her eyes at me! I was made to feel stupid, and embarrassed by these awful people who are supposed to be helping me. If you're not trapped here by your insurance company like I am, STAY AWAY!!! Spare yourself the trauma. read more

I cancelled an appointment at PCSD recently because I was told I could not bring my coffee into the waiting room or counseling sessions. I find that sipping coffee during concentrated and focused meetings is a comforting habit that I have used for more than 40 years. Having been through cancer, chemo, radiation, cataracts, surgery, etc, I have never been told I could not bring my coffee into a medical office or its examination/consultation rooms. It is insensitive and uncaring for a medical provider to deny a patient his/her small habits of comfort. PCSD is not a pre-school or classified military installation. A Starbucks in hand should not be an issue. read more

They won't see any patients less than 2 months after the appointment is made, and the doctors don't listen to you, they just try to push drugs on you and get you to leave without ever seeing you again. read more