I saw Jean Schmidt at this practice on Mechanic Street in Foxboro in 2016. I spent 4 months going about once a week to see her for issues surrounding severe depression. I spent the first few sessions talking about my past and what issues I was there to address - this is pretty standard with any new therapist.
The first time I arrived at her office she had me sign a form saying she gave me a HIPAA notice about their privacy practices but she didn't actually give me any written notice at all. When I pointed this out, she gave me attitude and said something judgmental like I was being unreasonable. That should have been a red flag but I gave her the benefit of the doubt.
Another problem: she would not help at all with any disability issues until you were a client for 9 MONTHS. Really? It takes 9 months to figure out what level a client you see every week is functioning at and what their problems are? To me that means you're either really lousy at diagnosing someone or you want the income from someone coming a long time. I'm guessing it is the latter since I made my issues pretty clear.
She also mentioned (near the end of our time together) that she thought I should volunteer to take my mind off of myself used the word "narcissistic" to describe me - without diagnosing me as such. When I mentioned to her in our next session how much this bothered me/offended me she started splitting hairs and said she didn't call me a narcissist but that certain behaviors or traits can occasionally be narcissistic in nature. I got the feeling she thought my time there was too self-indulgent for her likes and she enjoyed it more when we "chatted" about the world in general vs. getting into the deep, difficult work that should come with serious talk therapy. It became clear to me that she didn't have the tools, or frankly the interest, to deal with severe, debilitating depression. It would have been nice if she had shown any interest in actually helping me.
She was ok to chat with but that didn't get me anywhere as a client in distress with mental health issues. The first time I questioned how we were spending our therapy time she became visibly uncomfortable and told me calmly that I was free to leave if it wasn't working for me. Ummmm, I know my options, thanks. The second time I tried to raise the issue she almost immediately INVITED ME TO LEAVE and not be a client there anymore. WOW. I'm not able to question the direction of our treatment or sessions? I found this to be completely unacceptable. I expressed my shock that she was booting me but she did not care. She was visibly offended when I walked out the door and did not say goodbye to me. I guess you're not allowed to question her treatment plan (if she even had one). You see the other review here about how it felt more like a "social visit" and she talked about herself a lot. Yup, it's true. It's nice that you want a career where you get to socialize all day but you have clients with some pretty over-whelming problems in their lives I don't want to talk about the last book you read that has nothing to do with my situation. I'm not your friend or pal there to hang out. I am there for MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT and some firm direction on getting help.
She's "nice" and well-read but she also told me she spent some time as a nun and many years in private practice so if you're looking for help with standard work issues I would not recommend talking to her. If you want someone to chat with for years on end without actually helping you solve serious mental health issues then this might work out for you. read more
