This is by far the worst psychiatric practice I've ever been affiliated with, and I strongly urge…read moreanyone considering them to look elsewhere.
I began treatment with My Psychiatrist after an inpatient stay for a severe panic attack and was assigned to Dr. Dean Helseth. From the very first appointment, I felt dismissed and unheard. I explained that my current antidepressant wasn't controlling my anxiety or panic attacks. He told me to "wait 4-8 weeks" and suggested an as-needed antihistamine. When I explained I'd already been on the antidepressant for over a month and it wasn't helping with severe panic attacks like the one that led to the recent hospitalization, he abruptly accused me of seeking benzodiazepines -- something I never mentioned or asked for. I clarified that I wasn't asking for a controlled substance, just something that would help. He offered no alternative and simply refilled my prescription.
Over the following months, he continued increasing my antidepressant with no improvement to my anxiety symptoms. He prescribed Buspar even though I'd previously tried it at the maximum dose without success, which worsened my depression and was discontinued. Despite explaining that my anxiety made it nearly impossible to leave the house and do things like work, grocery shop, or take my kids to the park, he kept offering nothing but an antihistamine -- a medication I later found out carries a significantly increased dementia risk with prolonged use.
The final straw came when he prescribed a beta-blocker for my anxiety, despite knowing I had a preexisting heart condition. He assured me it was safe, but it triggered rebound tachycardia so severe I nearly fainted every time I stood up.
Since leaving this practice, my new psychiatrist has actually listened to my concerns, offered appropriate treatment options, and prescribed a non-benzodiazepine medication that finally manages my anxiety and gave me my life back -- something Dr. Helseth never once mentioned. Regarding my panic attacks, both my new psychiatrist as well as my PCP, also highly recommended low dose alprazolam for my C-PTSD panic attacks to prevent repeat inpatient hospitalizations. They have never once made me feel uncomfortable discussing different options for managing my symptoms the way Dr. Helseth did.
Unfortunately, the issues go far beyond Dr. Helseth. The staff at My Psychiatrist are disorganized and incompetent. At one point, I went without medication for a week and a half -- which caused severe reactions like brain zaps -- because my pharmacy never received the refill. Multiple staff members gave me conflicting information -- one claimed she contacted Dr. Helseth, another promised an "urgent" message and a callback, and a third finally admitted no message had been sent at all. I was told "urgent" messages actually take 2-3 days for the providers to respond to and since it was Friday, I wouldn't hear back until the following Tuesday or Wednesday. He also stated no one in the department could help me today, they do not have an answering service, and no provider had availability to see me the following week.
They also rescheduled one of my appointments with Dr. Helseth without notifying me -- moving it up by a day but keeping the same time. I received their standard reminder text and assumed it referred to my originally scheduled appointment. Later that day, I got texts saying I missed my appointment. When I called, they admitted the mistake but still charged me and attempted to collect a $50 no-show fee.
Lastly, I began therapy with Zachary Katz, but missed a session due to a mandatory work conference, yet they still billed my insurance $150 anyway. I've since called three times and texted their automated line to reschedule -- each time told my request would be forwarded to the therapy department. No one has ever followed up.
This practice is negligent, disorganized, and lacks the professionalism and compassion necessary for mental health care. I would never recommend My Psychiatrist to anyone in need of psychiatric support.