You don't know what you have until it's gone, excellent psychiatrists, who always took the time to speak with me, also my therapist helped hold me together through an MS diagnosis and just normal day to day routine. I've been searching for six months and I can't find any safe place read more

Pros: Dr Kurien is nice -- nicer than most psychiatrists. They have a parking lot. Cons: Cash only, no cards. I thought the receptionists were fine. I called once asking for a later appt time (the next slot after mine) and was told it wasn't available. I rushed there and was told that the NEXT time slot he had was available. So that wasn't the most helpful interaction but it's par for the course when dealing with people. You have to ask different questions and the same ? in different ways to get the right answer. read more

I love Dr. Viñuela as a doctor. It is extremely unfortunate that I have to end our years long therapeutic relationship because the front desk staff at this office are a terror to work with and a huge barrier to my care and I'm sure that of dozens of other patients. The woman with the West Indian accent is a regular human being. The others act like managers of a McDonalds and you're a late employee on his third strike. Your ass is grass, my friend. They are condescending, scolding, nasty, completely lacking in compassion, inflexible, and insulting. Riddle me this: If I have a 3:45 appointment and you call me AT 3:45 to tell me my appointment is canceled because I'm going to be 10 minutes late, and that you're going to charge me, and I start crying and saying I don't have the money to come back tomorrow because I drove in today, and you tell me it's my fault for being ten minutes late, should you be permitted to come into contact with the mentally ill as part of your professional responsibilities? Answer: no! Wanna leave a message for your doctor? According to Maria, you can't. Or you can go ahead and tell her that you're really not doing well and you need the doctor to call you. She won't pass on the message (true story!). Wanna leave him a voicemail? He doesn't have voicemail (what?)! I have repeatedly told my doctor that this woman is a problem and ruins my visits, and he says it is out of his control whether she works there or not. Well, it's not out of mine whose salary I pay, and I'm not paying this woman's anymore. This practice needs to fire these receptionists before a patient hurts him or herself. read more

Horrible place. They visit you for not more than 5 minutes, so you don't have a proper evaluation and yet they prescribe you any sort of pills like they were candies. Need to alert the health department. On top of that, the women in the front are rude and unprofessional, nasty creatures. read more

This office is pure scam. I entirely agree with the negative comments here. The receptionist has always been rude to me. I always pay in cash because the receptionist tells me there's no other way i can and the doctor will not see me if i don't pay before hand. There is no way for me not to pay before the visit. The last time I called for my regular visit someone else answered and they seem to have noticed that I do not have insurance and assume there would not be a receipt for the last visit that I paid for so she told me that I have to pay $90 for a previous visit before I come in to the office again and pay for the new visit. I don't know how to report this office, but this is definitely not legal. read more

I am continually shocked at the rudeness of the receptionist at Palisades Behavioral Care. Not only have I been the recipient of shockingly rude treatment but have witnessed the same rude behavior toward others while I was in the office waiting room. The treatment is condescending, scolding, annoyed, inpatient and arrogant. I am shocked by the behavior, especially considering that the majority of the people that go here are in need of help and have problems. I would think that a more understanding, sympathetic and kinder person would be the chosen for the representation of the Doctors. I truly wonder if the Doctors know of the chilling effect that the receptionist has on the people they treat. As far as the Doctors, they seem to be nice, kind, sympathetic and highly qualified. I will not be retuning to this office because of the continued inappropriate and rude treatment received by the receptionist. I am pretty sure that I am not the only patient they have lost or will continue to loose because of the receptionists treatment of patients. read more

These people are awful. They warn you about stopping your medication abruptly but if you owe anything at all, they don't care if you go through withdrawal or are in a terrible place. The therapist calls to cover her own behind but really has no interest in whether you live or die and offers no suggestions and neither does the psychiatrist. They are mean people, just terrible. I'm out of medication and due to an insurance issue, I am awaiting marketplace insurance and they basically told me "oh well go to an emergency room or don't" Great way to treat people! Do yourself a favor and listen to your gut when you first interact with the front desk and they are rude and uncaring and STAY AWAY! read more

Doctors here are good and quite knowledgeable. Unfortunately, to get to the doctors, you have to go through the receptionists, all of which are horrible. I don't even think the best customer service training would be adequate enough to teach them how to talk to patients, let alone people. They are incompetent, mannerless, and quick to embarrass you for the smallest of things but won't admit when a mistake has been done from their end. As much as I like visiting the psychiatrist I see here, I've been contemplating to find another one just because of the poor receptionist staff that they have here. They need to be replaced before this place runs into a lot of trouble. read more

I have been seeing Dr.Cunningham for a little over a year and he is the best! I saw him at both the Jersey City location and West Orange location. Also in regards to what others are saying about the receptionists at both locations, I have actually had no problems. The Jersey City location isn't nearly as friendly but I have never been treated badly. The West Orange receptionists are awesome and engage me in conversation every time. Also they have gone out of their way to help me. The only reason I would not give them 5 stars is because of the other doctor in Jersey City. I was seeing him for a while and had a horrible experience. I had just gotten surgery and was more anxious than normal. I felt like my normal meds weren't working and I was petrified. I called him out of desperation to ask him about the way I was feeling. He told me he would prescribe me a different medicine, but I still had questions for him. He basically said "I don't have time for this do you want me to send the prescription or not?" I was absolutely shocked. Now I go out of my way to see Dr. Cunningham because he is awesome and would never speak to a patient like that. read more

Hey folks. Dr. Kurien knows how his receptionists mistreat people. Don't think for a moment that they are not a reflection on his business and patient care ethics. The one that called me to confirm is pure dogshit. All she cared about is that I was bringing cash! Stay away from any physician or health care professional that allows this as the first contact with a patient. Better yet, run! I would normally offer a script that they may want to use instead of allowing this uneducated, poorly prepared and inexplicably horrible employee to interact with patients, but I'd rather see the business sink into obscurity. Which, within a proximal period of time, will be buried below the detritus of it's sad existence. Hear this: Customer Service is Everything! Especially if you are looking to maintain or grow your business. Get rid of crap employees that feel they are entitled to treat people any old way they wish. Shame on Dr. Kurien and the group for not training themselves and their employees; and for allowing this behavior to a patient's first impression. read more

I don't get all the hate for the receptionists. I've been going here for about six years and the receptionists act like .... receptionists. They are polite and businesslike. I don't know what everyone is expecting them to do besides make and confirm appointments, collect co-pays, process insurance claims and all that, but they seem to do their jobs just fine to me. Every Doctor I've had here has been very nice too. The thing I like most about PBC is that appointments are on time. If your appointment is for 1:30, that's just about the time you will be called in. The thing I like the least is that they don't accept debit or credit cards. I always have to remember to bring enough cash with me when I go. read more

I have been a patient of Palisade Behavioral Care for almost 6 years now and its alarming to read these reviews. I have never written a review before but felt it was necessary when a friend of mine convinced me to read these comments that are clearly from miserable people. I have never had anything other than great service when I go there. I don't wait more than 10 minutes and this is great when other doctors will make your wait hours to be seen, even with an appointment, and as for not having an appointment for weeks, IT HAPPENS. There are other practitioners that make you wait months. And why wait for your medications to run out to then make an appointment. I have heard the front desk tell numerous patients to make appointments while in the office to avoid running out of medications. As for the staff, I don't envy their positions. When dealing with patient that are rude and clearly don't understand the concept of manners, of course they're going to become short with you. I have witnessed on several occasions where people have come in yelling and screaming because of a bill or insurance issue. Well honestly, if you pay your copay on time and are aware of YOUR OWN insurance benefits then a bill wouldn't be generated. I have always been treated with respect and dignity when I go to Palisade Behavioral care, and will continue to go there as long as i can. Please don't let a few reviews convince you otherwise. read more

I made an appointment with a Dr. Ghali, who saw me, practically read from a script with absolutely no care about me as a person. After he wrote me a prescription he chuckled and said "Guess what? You're my last patient, I just retired". Huh? How do I get any refills or followups? How utterly unethical. Not to mention the nasty receptionist, which it seems everyone here mentions. I subsequently called her to get an authorized refill and she told me I would have to make an appt. with another Dr., and I was out of luck. Too bad, she said. WTF? Stay away from this place. BTW, this is the West Orange Office, but apparently the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree, since others have complained about exactly the same thing. read more

Dr. Kurien is one of the best doctors out there. He truly listens to your concerns and works with you on an appropriate treatment plan. I NEVER have to wait for him. He is always on time. Everyone who leaves negative comments should consider the fact that he is a PSYCHIATRIST not a PSYCHOLOGIST so if you need someone to talk to, that's what a counselor is for. As far as the front desk staff, yes, they can be rude at times.. who cares.. you are not there to see them. read more

There's a lot of negativity about this place on here, so I wanted to share my experience. Pros: Dr. Vinuela is great and very supportive. I always felt like he really cared. Cons: They don't take credit cards. It can take 5 minutes or so to find parking on the street. In my experience, the reception staff is not bad. Yes, there was once or twice where their tone came off a little blunt. That being said, they do their jobs, I never had an explicitly negative experience with any of them, and I had quite a few positive experiences with them. For instance, I was going to be 5-7 minutes late for an appointment and received a call right at my appointment time when I wasn't there. I told the receptionist that I would be there in 5 minutes, she was perfectly polite and understanding, and it was a total nonissue. I also noticed in the last several months that they are working hard on being more personable, and a new receptionist was hired who's very nice. Overall, I recommend this place. Admittedly, I never had anything dramatic like me losing my insurance or missing an appointment or anything, so I don't know how they react to those kinds of things, but it's been a positive experience for me going here. read more

I gave this place one star because I really like Dr. Vinueza and the couple of times I have seen Dr. Kuruen, I have liked him as well. The reason the other four stores are eliminated is because of the way this business is a perfect example of what happens when a doctor becomes a tear one provider for an insurance company. It becomes a factory where all they care about is money because they get reimbursed so little that they have to see a huge volume of patients to make any money so all they become interested in is getting patients in and out. The schedule is always booked up and it is very hard to get appointments when I need them. I take a medication that is a controlled substance so I continually have to come in to get my prescription filled. The condition I take this medication for can sometimes make me forgetful and disorganized so sometimes I don't notice that I only have a small amount of medication left before I try to make another appointment. When I just called to try and get an appointment the receptionist was so rude and judgmental and basically told me I should call ahead and there is nothing she can do to get me in any sooner than a month from now on the day that I need. My appointment literally takes 15 minutes where I walk in, chat for a second and get my prescriptions handed to me. Surely she could have been a little more patient centric and tried to help me out. Instead she told me I had a balance that needed to be taken care of that was three months past due... In accurate information and when I called her out on it she said oh whoops sorry that wasn't you. I do owe a $75 balance for having to cancel an appointment last month due to the fact that I got injured and had to go to an emergency appointment and when I tried to call them to tell them that they canceled my appointment and sent me a bill. Are you and tried to say that I wanted to bring in the money today to see if they would fit me in for a quick appointment and they wouldn't even work with me.So now I have no medication and I am pretty much forced to find a different doctor just because of the way this office runs. It's a shame because I've been going to Dr. Vinueza for almost two years and really really like him but I can't deal with the way this business is run anymore. The front desk staff is cold, rude, and flexible and frankly it's intolerable. I work in a medical office that is very focused on patient care and the patient experience, and coming from that background now I see how unacceptable this practice's patient treatment is read more

I went to this clinic because I was feeling anxious and down after relocating from overseas with my family. The doctor asked if I had ever felt depressed before in my life, and when I said yes, he gave me a bunch of samples for bipolar medication. I do not have bipolar disorder and I now know I wasn't even that depressed or anxious and that whatever I was feeling was temporary. The appointment took about 5 minutes. I never took the medication, I never returned, and a year later I am happy to report that I am just fine. At the time I made a second appointment as advised, but cancelled it after feeling weird about my experience and doing my own research as a result. Even though I called to cancel (it is on file that I called, I didn't simply not show up), because I did not cancel within the 24-hour period, a year later I received a final notice bill. When I called to protest I was told that if I didn't pay it would be sent to a collection agency. I guess they really need the cancellation fees of people that don't return after the first visit, of which there must be many... This place is a scam in multiple ways. I am glad I don't have a mental illness that impairs my ability to tell good from bad and can recognize this. Although I suppose it's a good place if you want drugs thrown at you, and that's where the one star comes from - if you know what drugs you want, you can get them here. read more

Dr. Kurien has been successfully treating my anxiety for over a year. He listens to my concerns and responds accordingly. Highly recommend.

Contrary to all negative reviews elsewhere and having been treated unsuccessfully by many psychiatrists for my bipolar disorder and other issues, Dr. Kurien was the first psychiatrist who promised me and delivered on his promise to eliminate the severe mood swings that have plagued me most of my life. I have been Dr. Kurien's patient for about 2 years. Highly recommended. . + read more

A medication mill. Don't come here if you care about the health of your mind,body,or wallet. Psychs can have a very long wait for new patients so I appreciated that I could schedule easily via ZocDoc. Dr. Kurien is polite but but dismissive.That's about all I can say that's any kind of polite. Maria at the front desk is condescending and is quick to scheule another visit but acts annoyed when you ask for a reciept for your cash transaction. Intake is minimal, there's no attempt to corroborate diagnosis , and they're quick to medicate. You have to sign a form saying he explained the side effects even though he really didn't. I had a very bad reaction to the medication (partly because he made no attempt to partner with my other provider) and for 4 months was told "you're just adjusting,you'll get used to it,that's normal". After feeling like I was hit by a truck for months he switched the meds but forgot to tell me that I need to titer off one before starting the next. Cue epic withdrawal - ice pick headaches, insomnia, stomach pain. I got better advice from the pharmacist at CVS than I did with this dude. I timed my last appointment :2 minutes, 36 seconds , inclusing climbing and descending the stairs. With my co-pay plus what he billed out to my insurance,that's $102 a minute. What a racket. read more

The receptionists are brutal!! Especially Marion the big nasty witch! She has no compassion, talks down to the patients and treats you like you are an idiot. I've got news for you receptionist, I pay your salary so how about you smarting up a bit?! Why would you chose to work in Mental Health or with people at all when you have no people skills?! If you are unhappy, quit! Don't take it out on people who are already having issued & don't need your nasty attitude to make it worse! As for the Dr's, they are prescription writers. They are typing away on their computers as you are trying to talk to them. No compassion or caring here.....next! read more

Dr. Kurien is a great Dr. The front desk however, is rude, grossly incompetent, and hates when you ask them to do their job.

The one star is for the service received at the front desk. The receptionist is extremely rude and has no people skills at all. This is a psychiatrist office and patients should be treated professionally and with kid gloves. She is rude, uncaring, and rough. If you run out of meds she doesn't care and just tells you the next appointment is in 3 weeks. So, you have to go unmedicated for weeks? They constantly run your insurance information incorrectly and when it is pointed out they give you a big attitude as if it were your fault. The doctor's at this practice are OK and would get 3 stars, but I would not recommend this office because they only see the patient as dollar signs. read more

Receptionist has terrible attitude , don't understand how they have someone with such a nasty attitude; not only answering phones but managing the office. read more

i am reporting this facility- they are just drug pushers they care not for you- in fact if your insurance hasn't paid your bill yet they will embarrass you in front of the entire office and will not let you see the doctor, i have 3 friends who experience terrible , TERRIBLE service from the FRONT DESK STAFF, as well as myself. when i tried to inform the doctor he did not care. i saw him for 5 min before he prescribed me medicine and upped my dose when i told him the dose i was on was working!!! this doctor is a quack and his staff is the worst i have ever encountered in my entire life. true form of the medical industry read more

Don't waste your fucking time. Worst experiences I've ever had with a doctors office, and they bill you over and over again for charges that should never have been on your account. They always come up with SOMETHING That you've missed. They also made an insanely inaccurate claim that for the first two months I was there, I had no copay. Therefore I tried to go as often as possible, taking advantage of that. Two months later they hit me with "yeah so you owe $xxx because you have a $40 copay". So I got stuck with an enormous bill that never would have racked up so fucking high if they hadn't made that insanely crucial mistake. Don't. Waste. Your. Time. They will fucking scam you. read more

As with previous reviewer, the problems are with the lax, lazy, and "can't be bothered" attitude from the front desk receptionists. Appointments are weeks and week out from when you call. Leaving messages for the doctors will not result in a return phone call or contact so you have to keep calling them. read more

Dr. Vinuela's tardiness policy is absolutely incoherent with the business he runs. If you are more than 5 or 10 minutes late ONCE, he dismisses the patient for good without any warning. His front desk staff is cold, rude and should never work with people. Maybe he will learn his lesson and change his harsh policy once he gets a malpractice lawsuit. read more

I give it two because of Brenda. She's completely amazing but I can't help but wish she weren't at this place. The receptionist aren't very warm at all and some have major 'tudes. Also, my psychiatrist is as cold as ice. She just types in her computer, no emotion and it seems like she isn't even listening when I have a concern. I'm staying for my psychologist otherwise, I'd leave and never look back. read more

Regarding their front desk... First I don't think that should be the reason someone doesn't see any of this practice's elite doctors/therapists. Second, as I have personally witnessed, the receptionists are very friendly and informative, but do begin getting short with patients who simply do not comprehend what is being told to them. Patients don't understand certain laws, or they wouldn't complain about not being able to receive a script without a doctor visit. Also, if your meds are running out before your next appointment what is most likely is that you cancelled your real appointment and rescheduled and/or you lost/abused/or had stolen your meds. If anything, this practice gets an A+ for having an exceptionally informed and intelligent reception staff that is clear, direct and to the point. I also give them an A+ for not putting up with ignorant and overly demanding patients. Ask a question, you get the answer. If you don't like the answer and start arguing, the conversation will justifiably end with you being shut down. In as busy of a practice as this is, they just can't possibly have the time to debate with a patient that is obviously wrong. NOTE: I would have given 5 stars, but they are so backlogged with appointments that is can be frustrating. read more

Okay, i will be clear with this. Councelor Brenda Davis is amazing. Dr. Shah is okay but even he was rude the first day i met him. Seemed like he gave no care for me or my situation. After a first terrible interaction i decided to give him another chance, he wasnt as bad then.. so ill give him a barely okay doctor. Haven't met the others but i hear they are great. I only go for Brenda Davis as she seems to be the only one that truly cares about her clients/patients. The receptionist are RUDE. I have NO CARE for who they have dealt with. I WORK for customer service and receive attitude and nastiness from customers daily. I am NEVER nasty nor rude to them. There is nothing more bothersome than going to get help for a fragile state of mind due to whatever reason and have the front receptionists be so rude and nasty all the time before a session or when calling to tell you about your next appointment. I am paying them, i expect that my money is spent well amd i am treated with care. Those women are the first face of the facility, they make me not want to go back. Specially Maria. She is by far the worst example of customer service, Office clerk, receptionist etc... I don't care what issues i may have, that doesnt mean i don't understand when someone is being rude or not. They have no phone etiquette. No people skills. No respect to someone elses life. They should NOT be working there. My next session there will be my last. Only due to the nasty rude receptionist who as others said also improperly delivered my information in a timely fashion to my insurance company causing more unneeded disruption in my life. She has no compassion for who walks in those doors and why they are there. We should be handled with care. She is disgusting. Her name is Maria. A TERRIBLE receptionist, because of HER i will not be returning. Which is a shame because who wants to invest their time and money then have to start all over else where after already being comfortable with a therapist or psychiatrist. She is that horrible that i want to leave. Her attitude is gross. I can be sweet as ever and she just brings my attitude and nastiness out of me. That doesnt help me. The facility should fire her. As for service. You are seen quickly. A lot of open appointments. If you have to wait weeks its not as bad as other places. You can agree or disagree this is my opinion of this locations ethic. Maria and as other posters here have said the receptionists are bringing them down. read more

The receptionist are very rude. Pretty much all about the money. I couldn't make my appointment due to an emergency and they charged me the whole fee because I missed the appointment, however, I didn't miss the appointment the doctor wouldn't see me because he had to leave. I don't understand why since they only see you for about 5 min and send you off with the prescription. I didn't mind rescheduling but when she said I would have to pay more than I would pay for a co-pay I told them I will choose another doctor. Wouldn't recommend unless you are desperate and being treated with disrespect. read more

I have been trying to get an appointment switched for two weeks now. I am told only one person can do it and will call me back, everyday I call and they tell me the same thing! OMG!!! The lady in question makes all the decisions and is the nastiest person I have ever dealt with, what is up with that? If you need to extend your medication because of an appointment, good luck, it is a big ordeal. Since they know you need them for the medication they abuse their power over you but ignoring you, being rude and giving you a hard time. Don't even bother asking them for any favors regarding paper work, they won't do any. And they will be rude if you ask. RUN!!! read more

I wish I had read the reviews BEFORE trying to make an appt! The receptionist was rude when I tried to schedule but a friend that goes here said she was nice in person so I figured maybe she had a bad day. I made my appt for a month later wrote it on a post it and kept it moving. The week of the appt comes and I call in bc naturally i lost the post it but remember it is that week sometime. I was told my appt was that afternoon so I apologize because I cant make it in and ask to reschedule. She said no their policy says they can't make anymore appts for me bc I'm cancelling. I ask why I didn't get a call to confirm she said because my phone number didn't work, she reads it back to me and the last digit is incorrect. Based off that I said you should make an exception, she puts me on hold comes back and says no. I ask to speak to the manager and she as well wont budge. Terrible customer service, attitudes galore, I think they forgot where they work...they should have a bit more compassion seeing how more often than naught making an appointment in their office is the first step in receiving help. read more