I think she is mentally stunted. My sister and I am helping care for our elderly father. Due to his Alzheimer's progression, he is very susceptible to incoming call that are scams (he gets about 50 calls a day on his line) to get bank information. In short this past March (2025) I forwarded all of his calls to one of my lines (to date over 4000 incoming calls to his line), so that my sister and I could filter out important calls such as Dr. Laakso and give them other direct methods to reach our dad. Dr. Laakso, has called a plethora of times and left a message, in which I myself and or my sister have returned the call (Always getting voice mail) expressing who we are and how to reach our dad a different way. I have gone so far as to Fax her office and get delivery confirmation, and yet today She called and left another message. read more

It's been years since I was her patient but when, today, i came upon some old paperwork from that time, I decided to look her up. Shocked to see that Laakso is still in practice. My experience was horrific and one that makes me shudder still. She had me on meds that completely numbed me out and made me barely functional, wanting only to sleep at any opportunity. At our appointments she admonished me, saying that I should be waking at 6AM each day. After attending an out of town family wedding, where I saw the concern on the faces of my family members, and barely got thru each day, I returned home and immediately saw a doctor who was recommended by a friend. This new MD took me off all the meds Laakso had prescribed so that he could get a baseline to prescribe new Rx. It was a new level of awful, as I was now going thru withdrawals, but I got thru it, with this new doctor seeing me through it, always there for me as I was often 1 step away from admitting myself to a hospital in fear of harming myself. I've always felt that my new doc saved my life. Being cared for my Dr. Laakso is probably the biggest regret of my life. read more

She's a monster, and only cares about money! She is as cold as ice. Only asks how do you sleep and a couple of other basic questions.

I totally agree with previous reviewers about this psychiatrist (license no. 174920). She does NOT listen as I spent nearly two hours of travel time to her office when all I gain was less than five minutes of actually patient/doctor session time. Dr. Laakso, a psychiatrist, who is very callous, completely apathetic, stolid, no remorse, snide and MALICE charton as well as her two assistants/receptionists which upon my departure I forgot to inquire a question. The assistant/receptionist's response: "if you need to speak to Dr. Laakso again, you'll need to make an appointment at the next visit!" She needs a crash course in communication as well as a new attitude adjustment of social skills for her self absorbent and inaudible non-attentive service to patients. The woman is callous without empathy ability to consider other people's feelings as she never put herself on the other side of the storm. Emily Post Etiquette; Kate Spade "Manners" and Kaye West's "How to Raise a Lady" are what the woman requires to wash her unfathomably nasty high attitude index! Dr. Laakso fends a very condescending tone and hubris attitude. Master of duplicitous Mendacious and maliciously flagrant Egregiously vulgar Cantankerous No empathy No conscious Full of malarkey Money hungry Money grubbing The woman immediately put me on an endless series of prescriptions: Wellbutrin Geodon 20 mg Zyprexa 5 mg to 30mg, to 50 mg Zoloft 50 mg to 100 mg to 500 mg Depakote 50 mg Risperdal Sonata 5 mg I became a science experiment to her research studies as her never ending medications were a Kingda Ka level while I was under Dr. Laakso's medical care. Should I not stop I would end up like Michael Jackson's infamous death!! Dr. Laakso does NOT properly diagose one's ailment as she always misunderstand which comes from her inaudiblity and inattentive listening skills for patients. Callous and stolid personality and unfathomably nasty for a high attitude index to operate a bi-polar factory as Dr. Laakso provides dangerous treatment, which patients complete a questionaire of your current mood for every forsaken visit. The woman thinks the whole world is sick with mental disorders! This thing is a charlatan! http://www.nysed.gov/coms/op001/opsc2a?profcd=60&plicno=174920&namechk=LAA read more

AVOID THS DOCTOR I've been waiting a long time to write this review. My experience with the office was unbelievable. The receptionist should be reported to the NY Dept of Health and fired immediately. I was referred to Dr. Laakso by the organization I work for. I have told them about my experience, and they assured me they would not be recommending anyone else going forward. The receptionist gave me attitude every time I was in the office. Mostly eye rolling and shrugging her shoulders when I asked questions. She is very dismissive. On my first appointment I asked for a pen to fill out the forms she gave me. Reluctantly and with an eye roll, she gave me one and then told me I should've brought my own... when I sat down, I saw that there were clipboards WITH pens in the waiting room for people to use. That is one of many similar interactions. She couldn't even verify my insurance, I had to call myself and confirm. Dr. Laakso does the scheduling so I'm not sure what it is the receptionist actually does. Every time I went, there was attitude. All my interactions with her caused me much anxiety to even go to the office to be seen by Dr. Laakso. The last straw for me was when I was out of the country and my return date changed. I emailed the office to cancel my appointment as I could not make international calls. I made a new appointment upon my return and when I arrived for my appointment, I was informed that I owed $50 for a missed appointment. I said I emailed to cancel, and the receptionist said they don't do appointments over email. I was upset, naturally. On top of that they didn't take credit cards! I gave her what cash I had and didn't even get a receipt. Then I was in Dr. Laakso's office, I could hear the receptionist talking about me in the hallway to other people! I said to Dr. Laakso that the receptionist talking about me - she shrugged and said she has tried speaking to her about that. That is not sufficient and not how you should run an office that is supposed to foster a safe environment. After that incident I tried to call the office to speak to Dr. Laakso about how uncomfortable I was going to her office, but the receptionist refused to give her a message for me or to let me speak with her. This is unacceptable. As for Dr. Laakso, I never received a call from her wondering why, as her patient, she hadn't seen me. This is not only unprofessional but also irresponsible as a medical professional. Dr. Laakso was supposed to be managing my medication and she did not do so. read more

Dr. Laakso should not be treating people because she is entirely too self-absorbed and incapable of working with others. I was happy to be able to make an early appointment with her so soon after calling since I had had serious trouble sleeping for about a month and it was definitely due to stress/anxiety. So I essentially was looking to new sleep meds (tried two others already) and was open to discussing another drug for some help. She was referred by a therapist who seemed alright, so.... NO! She spends very little time talking to you, let alone listening, and asks you to go into this private room to watch a video in order to diagnose you. The video is a tape of HERSELF reading and re-reading some 15 questions you check off yes/no to followed by a montage of four patients, describing their ailments, to which you should jot down any sentences that resonated with you. After she told me to expect that video, I really thought the video would be of four different kinds of ailments... But NO! The video montage is of four folks with bipolar disease/manic depression. I related to none of it and thus wrote nothing. She looked at my blank paper disappointed, and I honestly had to chuckle a bit when I said - sorry, but I don't feel any of those ways AT ALL! Ultimately I received a prescription for Restoril - which my psychiatrist-uncle said is actually one of the worst/oldest/more addictive sleep meds. I refused any other drugs b/c I had a bad feeling about her and just wanted to try sleeping first. I also never ended up taking this drug because I had no idea HOW - the pharmacy sheet said, follow your doctor's instructions, but she never said anything useful except that I had to take the drug around 8pm, which I suspect was actually her way of forcing me to sleep earlier. With respect to my specific sleep issues, she basically said I was an awful person for sleeping at 1am, that my body naturally wakes at 5am, and that the only real cure was some yogic sleep method, where I sleep at 8pm and wake up at 5am. Uhh, totally not helpful! Seriously - do NOT go to this woman. She will end up f-ing you up. read more

A previous reviewer said that Dr. Laakso is not a therapist, and merely prescribes medication. This is accurate. However, I seriously question her medical knowledge. I have new insurance, and very few psychiatrists take it, so my options were extremely limited when I went in to see her. First, my appointment time. I'd spoken to a receptionist 2 days prior to my visit, and I very clearly said the time I believed my appointment to be at. I wasn't corrected, or told a different time. When I showed up, I learned it was the wrong time. I also received an e-mail from the receptionist that was almost indecipherable. It just made no sense. They also loudly discuss patients and question whether they're telling the truth. I had been started on a regimen by my previous psychiatrist that seemed to be helping, but I was only on it for a month. She'd wanted my next doctor to continue it. I told Laakso this, and she said none of the drugs I'd been on were used to treat anxiety, and prescribed me Abilify. SSRIs are very commonly used to manage anxiety, while Abilify is sometimes used off-label to treat anxiety. After a week on the Abilify, I was switched to Depakote. She also told me that side effects are signs the drug isn't right for the combination, when with SSRIs, there are often side effects for the first month that decrease or disappear. The way she talked to me, and flat out insulted me at points, as well as the fact she cut me off every time I tried explaining (or clearly didn't listen) made me feel even worse. It was like she was pressing ever button that triggers my anxiety. read more

Just want to say that six years later I still love Ulla. Caring and intelligent and makes my professional life a priority. Come to her if she's accepting new customers ;) read more

She is wonderful,very intelligent and knowledgeable and really cares and listens. I am bipolar II, generalized anxiety disorder and post traumatic stress. read more

No follow up. Horrible mis-diagnose. Seems prejudice towards certain drugs and diagnoses. Cold personality. A factory churning out patients. Shows you a horrible video she has made instead of spending time with you. Maybe only one star. Yuk! read more

Her office staff is extremely unprofessional. You cant even get a word in because they "already know what you're going to say." If you try and call to make an appointment or ask a question they cut you off and even hang up on you. I highly recommend you avoid this office and Doctor. read more

I can understand why some people feel that Dr. Laakso may not be the doctor for them. It seems her most critical patients would benefit more from psychotherapy or some type of talk therapy versus a doctor with her background. She is a psychiatrist, not a psychologist, her training is not in discovering how your childhood is affecting you as an adult but rather how to help you function at this stage in your life. But for those with more severe mental health conditions, she is wonderful at determining your problems and coming up with a proper method to address these issues. While it might seem rushed, Dr. Laakso is rather thorough. At first it seemed I was being over-medicated, but after her explanation of why I needed all the prescriptions, it made sense. While a patient may feel slighted because Dr. Laakso is not a "coddler," I doubt that individual has the same training as her and should take their own advice in listening to Dr. Laakso's reasoning before labeling her as a pill pusher. read more

Well she is a Psychiatrist and her evaluation is thorough and I believe she has copious amounts of knowledge. She has been reassuring with my situation and has given me positive feedback and has helped me in many ways. You have to trust your MD to a point. So far she's been spot on. She talks fast and is matter of fact so if you're looking for someone to sort of caress your predicament then I suggest talk therapy. Remember there are varying stages of mental illness and she treats all of them and also everyday life stressors including different anxieties. I've learned a lot about anxiety and sleep disturbance. She doesn't like labeling your disease but will ask you to think a little bit and answer her questions. Overall she has a quick patient turnover with several rooms and is smart. Recommend. read more

I must say I had the same exact experience as everyone else. I went in there and she diagnosed me with ADHD right away. She never even asked me questions. She just assumed I had it. I walked out of there thinking wow I have ADHD. Well I went on the meds for 2 or 3 weeks and felt awful. I was not myself at all. I called my cousin who is in the mental healthcare arena and he suggested that I might not have ADHD. He told me that the meds only work if you have ADHD. Anyway, so I went back to her and she said I should take a mood stabilizer. I called my cousin and he said DO NOT take that. It has severe side effects and you are not Bipolar. So I am going back to my old psychologist who does not accept my insurance. I would rather pay and have the right medication then take all these crazy meds. I am also concerned that she has no idea what she is doing and someone can get hurt, I am surprised there are no law suits on her. Very strange. read more

Seeing her no more than 4 times, Dr. Laakso put me on pretty much every medication out there. She asked if I ever had trouble sleeping. I said once in a while, since everyone does. She proceeded to give me prescriptions on three different occasions for lunesta, restoril, AND ambien. She then put me on depakote, which is used to treat bipolar. She then put me on lexapro. She then put me on yet another medication used to treat schizophrenia. She also asked if I ever get nervous speaking in front of groups and gave me "something to make it easier." She then threw in "a little something to take that anxiety away" aka xanax. You'd think before assuming I'm bipolar and also in need of antipsychotics that a person would spend more than a total of 20 minutes with me spread over 4 sessions costing $200 each, but no. It's also amazing how she does all this with a huge smile on her face at all times. read more

I wish there were 0 stars. The receptionist is hands down the rudest person I've ever talked to in my life. The doctor is terrible too, save yourself time and energy - DO NOT go here. read more

I have never posted on a doctor before but I have to write about her as she could be a very dangerous doctor. I saw her years ago after needing a new psychiatrist due to an insurance change. She saw me for one minute then made me watch a 5 minute video about lithium. She said ignore the drug and see if I related to the symptoms. Well I didn't. So she spoke to me for no more than 10 minutes and said I was bipolar. I told her that I didn't agree and not one doctor had ever given me anything close to that diagnosis. She said I talked to fast, was too hyper and because I had been depressed before so that I didn't want to get out of bed (um im pretty sure most everyone has felt that way once in their life...give me a break) that it was clear I had manic episodes with intermittent downs. She gave me Wellbutrin and depakote(which was the new drug back then) which were on PRE WRITEN PRESCRIPTIONS!!! SHE HAD STACKS OF PHOTOCOPIED PRESCRIPTIONS FOR SECERAL BIPOLAR DRUGS IN PILES AT HER DESK!!! Long story short I freaked out on the meds and had to call her on a Saturday and she told me to STOP THE WELLBUTRIN AND TAKE MORE DEPAKOTE!!! I am not bipolar, have taken wellbutrin and respond fine to it, but AM NOT BIPOLAR. BEWARE. You will walk out of there with a diagnoses of bipolar not otherwise specified. She should not be allowed to practice. read more

I was misdiagnosed by her for years. A waste of time I could have been happier. She had me on depakote for depression (didn't work, of course). This woman could damage your long term health. Found other doctors and am much happier. She always took my insurance, though, which is why I went. read more

I have been seeing Dr. Laakso since 2000. She is not the kind of psychiatrist you talk to for an hour; that is just not what she does. She prescribes and monitors meds. Her role with me is to monitor my medication and adjust as necessary in brief (up to 15-minute) visits every couple of months. When I first started seeing her, we spent about two years trying different things to find what was best for me, tapering up and down slowly and carefully. Since we found the right mix, I have stuck with it with very few changes. She is open to trying new things if I am not satisfied with the way things are going but she doesn't do any kind of hard sell. Her staff are efficient and brisk. I don't normally review my doctors on Yelp, but I have noted the negative reviews and some may be unfair. Bad Yelp reviews can be a professional death sentence and good people can get caught in the undertow. read more

It is very shocking for me to read these bad reviews. I saw "Dr." Laakso in 2003 during an especially bad period of my life. To be brief, everything that the other dismal reviews said happened to me. She showed me a video, she interviewed me for about 2 minutes, she had the warmth of a iceberg, she asked me (with glowing eyes), "does your mind race?" (whose doesn't?), she diagnosed me as bipolar, she prescribed Lamictal, saying it was "almost homeopathic." I have since learned that Lamictal is a terrible drug with bad side effects. After a month of feeling terrible I went back to her and asked whether we could not have a conversation. She actually got angry and screamed, "No!" I really do not know I survived this experience. Chalk it up to the survival instinct. I went to another psychiatrist who did talk therapy and we worked through it. I think there should be a group: I SURVIVED 'DR.' LAAKSO. I put the word Dr. in quotes for obvious reasons. She is not a doctor but a factory CEO and the factory she runs produces fake bipolars. read more

I wouldn't give Dr. Laakso any stars. I saw her for years--just to get prescriptions for my bi-polar meds--she wanted to prescribe everything and the kitchen sink. I ended up taking myself off everything except Depakote. She kept wanting me to take Ambien or Lunesta--saying it wasn't habit forming--I told her I'm in AA and should not take any sleeping meds. She used to call me by a different name every time I walked in which was very annoying--she was juggling so many charts. She always said she was "an expert". Once I told her I thought I might have ADD so she just had me fill out this form and prescribed Ritalin which kept me awake all the time. She's not qualified to make such a diagnosis! She told me to go to bed at 9 and rise at 5--because "all the movers and shakers did"! Once she called me at home at night to hassle me about a bill that the insurance company didn't cover that I refused to pay because I believed it was a mistake--she kept me on the phone about half an hour! I ended up just going there and plastering a fake smile on and filling out her stupid form of "what is your mood today from one to 10" and putting 8 just to get my RX and get out--she was useless. At one time there was a very nice woman who worked there but also one who was a complete bitch. And the billing person was a pain in the ass. I finally found someone else in my network who could prescribe. I was glad to be rid of her. read more

I wasted 6 years of my life under the care of Dr. Laakso. I went in with a sleep problem and left with a strong dose of Ambien and bipolar medications all the while she failed to diagnose me with the one problem I did have - anxiety. In turn, the Ambien caused more anxiety because I would sleep walk and talk and not remember anything. As a result, I ruined a lot of relationships. In addition, I was a zombie; no personality, no life in my eyes. I lost 50% of my hair and went down to 100 lbs. One morning I woke up on my staircase in front of my apartment with a bloody head wound. I found out I was sleep walking and fell on an iron post the night before. I had so many perscriptions, Dr. Laakso gave me a large container to help me keep track of everything I take everyday. It got to a point where I asked her to please take me off these drugs. She said if I stopped taking the medications I would appear and feel as though I just stepped out of my coffin. I didn't care if I had to die trying to get off this stuff. I went to another doctor and convinced her to take me off everything. I was in the hospital 5 times in a 2 month period. I ended up having a seizure and spent three days in the hospital. At the hospital, the doctors told me I did not have bipolar but a general anxiety disorder which caused my sleeping problems. They perscribed a low dose of Zoloft and I now sleep like a baby. I can't get back those six years, but I am 100% healthy now, all my hair grew back, I am at a healthy weight, my head is clear, I have new healthy relationships and the best thing of all is I can close my eyes at night and know I am safe. read more

I read all these negative reviews but still decided to see her regardless. She was very kind to me and spent over 45 minutes during my first consultation. She asked me many questions and made me complete a few tests before prescribing me any medication. She gave me a thorough explanation of Vyvanse and gave me a lower dose to test it out. She warned me if there is any anxiety I should call her immediately. So far so good! read more

I was referred to Dr. Laakso by another highly rated psychiatrist. She has very good commendations. Anyway, I went to see her and she made me watch a video and fill out a questionaire and I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Previously, I was diagnosed with acute depression. She out me on Depakote, Lithium, Restoril and Invega (for schizophrenic hallucinations). In contrast to Joan's uncle's statement that "Restoril is actually one of the worst/oldest/more addictive sleep meds." when I was serving as an aircraft mechanic during the Gulf War, we were given Restoril at night and USAF B-52 pilots are routinely given Restoril capsules after each flight in order to help them rest and wind down. I don't think Dr. Laakso takes enough time with her patients and she runs a "manufacturing line" but I do feel much better after being on her mood stabilizers. read more

I was a patient 4 years ago and agree with all the following previous statements: 1. Mis-diagnosis as bi-polar. No other mental health professional I ever consulted (and I've seen many over the years) gave me this diagnosis, before or since. Nothing too esoteric, just garden variety anxiety and mild depression in my case. No bipolar. 2. Over-reliance on too many medications. Every time one of her cocktails didn't work (when the Depakote with Risperadal didn't work, try Zyprexa,next try Geodon, then Lexapro) she would randomly spin the roulette wheel again hoping something new would stick. I felt like a guinea pig. Turned me into a zombie. All I wanted to do was sleep and eat, while trying to hold down a full time job. 3. Early office hours are extremely inconvenient,especially since you are there for only a few minutes. 4. That Spanish looking receptionist : RUDE is an understatement. Downright MEAN at times. Should have been fired years ago. 5. The only good thing I have to say about her, (which is why I give her 2 stars instead of one) is that she referred me to another "talk" therapist where I could eventually resolve the real issues I was facing without trying to medicate myself to happiness. 6. I am in a new situation, have been drug free for 2 1/2 years and NEVER FELT BETTER. DON'T ABANDON HOPE. read more

At first, I thought similar things to the other two reviews. Dr. Laakso is not the world's warmest person. (She's not cold but certainly not coddling). She prescribed me Depakote, and I objected. I thought she was crazy for suggesting it, but I tried it anyway. I was depressed. I needed something. Believe it or not, it worked. I've taken just about everything on the market for depression, and nothing has worked before...BUT the Depakote did! I'm not crazy like you'd imagine the cliched bipolar person to be. I've never gone on wild shopping sprees or flipped out in the subway. I'm just a guy who's repeatedly been depressed. While I may not see Dr. Laakso if I wanted to talk through my problems, I'll definitely continue to see her to manage my meds. She's great, and she knows her stuff! read more

I thought that she was wonderful. I do not have manic/depressive disorder and she didn't tell me that I did. A lot of people with mania go undiagnosed and are often mistreated. Kudos to her for ensuring that her patients are properly diagnosed. I received caring advise and a treatment plan designed for me. read more

Terrible experience, she put me on a trial drug no one had ever heard of for my mild/moderate anxiety. This was after she put me on effexor which gave me Game of Thrones-style nightmares without telling me that would happen OR that withdrawing from the drug (of course under her supervision) would cause "brain zaps" for a week or two. Google "brain zaps" if you're so inclined. Luckily, they subsided. After tapering off effexor is when she prescribed rexulti. This was the third drug I have ever taken for mental health issues, still in my first year of using medicine. She said to ignore/not to be alarmed by the fact that it's mainly prescribed to treat schizophrenia. I had a terrible reaction to this drug. It didn't work and she gave me incorrect directions for tapering off it. This incorrect tapering made my reaction 10x worse and I needed to see a new psychiatrist once a week to walk back the damage. It took about 2-3 months before I felt back to myself. Also, she made mistakes in my chart, big ones, like writing down that I had described symptoms to her like racing thoughts/feeling hyper, while I never had them in my life. When this was calmly pointed out she made a note in my chart note. The next visit she asked me about my racing thoughts/hyper feelings. Oh boy. She also constantly referenced my history of depression (which I do not have.) She cannot keep correct records clearly and needs to retire. I also got the "go to sleep at 8pm and wake up at 5am" thing--clearly it works for her which is why she starts her days so early. However, it is simply not a sustainable practice for the majority of people. I will say she always was reachable by phone, but I would not trust her with my health/prescriptions again. read more

Wow, I have a completely different opinion of Dr. Laakso, for the longest time I have been taking antidepressants even though I knew they weren't working for me, so my doctor would just switch me to a new one. Then I saw Dr. Laakso and I was correctly diagnosed as bipolar and I have been feeling so much better. Before being diagnosed as bipolar I use to be so angry and cranky, now I get why I feel the way I am and I am on the right path towards recovery. I am so sorry that other people had a different experience with her, but I don't think she is all that bad. read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Laakso's for several years. She is smart and competent and has always been on the leading edge of drug therapy. Her staff is very accomodating and kind. I have always been able to get an appointment when I needed it, and have received telephone calls and emails as followups. I agree that sessions are short, but they are complete and personal. Dr. Laakso remembers to ask me about my granddaughter, and has been most beneficial in treating me for everything from stopping smoking, to sleeplessness, to anxiety. If I had experienced anything like the other reviews I read here I would never have returned for years, but that has not been my experience. If you're looking for someone to hold your hand and feed you chicken soup, go call your mother, or call the right type of practising psychiatrist, not a psychopharmacologist! This doctor gets my highest rating!!! read more

don't see this doctor . She practices with over-confidence and a focus on her schedule. Her diagnostic method has too much clinical distance and isn't accurate. I noticed a previous reviewer noted that you should do the research when attending her sessions, no doctor should necessitate hours of outside research- especially when her diagnosis is off. Please don't see this doctor because she's in you insurance network. read more

I agree with everything said here about this doctor. Her staff is atrocious to deal with, will hang up on you several times before rudely giving you an appointment. She should not be in the position to care for people's well being- she simply does not care. She overprescribes medication then requires expensive bloodwork. If you can't afford your bloodwork then she will withhold medication. We got into an argument over overprescribing because she would write me 8 different scripts which I felt I don't need and my bloodwork came back showing I didn't take her heavy meds. I only came to her as I needed sleep meds and some light xanax. After the argument, she withheld my Lunesta and Xanax and wrote me a script for Seroquel 450mg to help me sleep. I took her dosage and felt awful, lethargic, gained 10 pounds in a month, confused. Rather than make another appt with this hack I stopped the meds - and then went into withdrawal. I went back to a former Dr who informed me a female of my small stature should have never been put on such a high dosage and gave me a small prescription to help ween me off this meds. I've never taken anything other then Lunesta and Xanax in my life - this woman got me addicted to Seroquel. This woman should be prosecuted for her actions. If I could give her a negative 5 stars I would. read more

I'm a PhD (in Pharmacology and Therapeutics) and my Major Field of Study is CNS drugs, with an emphasis on psych meds. I'm also an MD, Board-certified in Psychiatry ; Child & Adolescent Psych and Forensic Psych I was referred to Dr. Laakso by a well-meaning friends who said she accepted my insurance. I assumed she charged lower rates than I do because I'm more experienced, & Boarded in more sub-specialties. I still find the way she practices - especially considering her NOT being Board-certified in ANY specialty. - unethical.She probably pushed the law not to actually claims she's a shrink.. A sign that reads Dr. Laakso - Psychiatry would not be a violation; I've seen this before. I made it a point not to svn in or even refer to myself on the phone as "Doctor". MD, or PhD when I filled out the paperwork.) Her video diagnostic tape was too so beyond the pale that I won't dignify it with a critique. My Domestic Partner also consulted Dr. Laakso and that was all good because he wanted her to write the scripts with my doing the therapy. This EVER would be productive to any couples; so, we had our physician call her. He and I changed my DP's Rx to Lithium Carbonate. We may have to find something later because I'd 10 years is the absolute limit for Lithium. Her "sleep management" plan would put a meth addict to sleep first crack out of the box, She wanted me to start taking Seroquel 25mg and up the dose another 25mg if haven't achieved perfect sleep. I tried it and I was very zombie like with the third 25mg dose. After that, she water me to take two Ambien 10mg tabs She selected Restoril 22.5mg (1 or 2 caps - I've prescribed Restoril and 2 x 22.5mg is a high dose) because it was available only through the original manufacturer. It doesn't work for me at all, but I've had patients request it and back before the Z-drugs, I wrote for it regularly. Needless to say, Dr. Laakso provides "workshops" and seminars on the psychiatric disorders that the drug companies she represents - and she makes a good $20K on the books and probably cash under the table as well. I was in her office alone and looked at her plaques - every one bestowed upon her by a drug company. I'm a nice guy. Ask any Resident who trained under me; ask my patients, etc. However, one day I drew the line in the sand with Laakso, who was unaware that she was treating a psychiatrist and she came pretty c;pse tp freaking out when I told her that I also have a PhD in Pharm. "Doctor, sit down and shut up. I'm not only your senior in years but what I forgot about psychopharmacology you have yet to learn. Meanwhile, you are exposing countless patients to experience adverse reactions; worse, She tried to interrupt, but I used my best Chief of Psych voice. "You don't understand. I am your senior in years, I am a native speaker of English and you lack complete comprehension of some references or comments because you are not bilingual, despite your advertising. Of course, you could just be fucking stupid and/or ignorant." "You have a Bipolar I Manic Disorder. You need to resume taking Depakote and increase your dose of Seroquel. I'll call them in to your pharmacy, OK?" "No, it's NOT OK. I've always done well financially by practicing by providing the best PSYCHOTHERAPY I could [we can't do therapy with some patients until they've been on Risperdal or Geodon, for a week or two].That's necessary for patient lucidity.. I came to you, Dr. Laasko, because I wanted a new set of eyes to take a look at Joe and his symptoms. I told her that I rit beggars beliefwere permanently licensed MDS Did you ever hear of "PRIMUM NON NOCERE"? It means "First, do not harm" and it appears in one form or another very early on in every translation of the Hippocratic Oath. "Did you even take the Oath?" I've never diagnosed anyone via e--mail or phone, but I'd be lying if I say didn't have a few psychiatric diagnoses that whirled around in my brain. I also noticed her level of hyperactivity. She has a million patients; she could put a patient's name on an amphetamine script or three. I've seen docs do this solely to supply one addict - the doctor him/herself. She also prescribes a lot of Provigil; it's a Schedule IV drug, but it is a stimulant and easier to obtain or divert than Schedule II drugs. She interrupted, using my first name and I said, "I NEVER say this, but you will address me as DOCTOR, if at all. Despite complaints, she's still at - that she is not certified in ANY speciality. She needs to have her license suspended or revoked, read more

I really wish I had read these reviews before going to Dr. Laakso. She misdiagnosed me as bipolar II even though I never had a manic or hypomanic episode. The meds I ended up on for bipolar made my hair fall out and I ended up being hospitalized twice during that time. My family became alarmed because I seemed very "off" to them (what turned out to be at least in part side effects of drugs like invega Dr. Laakso put me on without any serious discussion of possible side effects). I went to another doctor who diagnosed major depression and have done much better on the meds he has me on. I will always regret going to Dr. Laakso and not questioning her diagnosis earlier. I absolutely agree with others who have said that she is not only a bad doctor but a dangerous one. I have contemplated suing her for malpractice, but have been told they are very hard to win, probably more so with mental illnesses because of all the controversy and unknowns. But I wish I could sue her and that she would lose her license. One other point--when I was in crisis my therapist called Dr. Laakso to consult with her and she never called back. My therapist was really taken aback by this and eventually found another doctor for me. I went to Dr. Laakso in the first place because she took my insurance and so many psychiatrists in NYC don't take any insurance. Now I wish I had gone to someone who doesn't take insurance but has a sliding scale. Do yourself a favor--do NOT see this doctor, even if she is one of the few to take your insurance. Keep looking for someone and make sure they have a good reputation. Be skeptical of the diagnosis of Bipolar II. I have read that there is a serious problem with the misdiagnosis of this disorder (I have major depression). Well, be skeptical of this diagnosis from Dr. Laakso at any rate. As others indicate, her intake is geared towards diagnosing bipolar, and the diagnosis bipolar II helps her do this. I wish I had realized this , as some others did, at the time. read more

This specialist is a great source of treatment; works with the patient to establish diagnosis, and a a very good source of the related medications. I've had tremendous luck with this lady. Miriam Miller read more

Went for ADD/ADHD meds and Dr Laakso did a great job. Fully knowledgeable about everything, side effects, committed to me, flexible, caring as much as any Finn could every be. She's structured but she tests me to do my share and earn her respect that I care about myself. read more

horrible experience...she has the bedside manner of a wolverine and her staff is extremely rude. she is robotic, has no empathy and i wouldnt recommend her to my worst enemy...she put me on medicine that made my illness worese. do not have this quack treat you. read more

This woman cares nothing about her patients. She's well dressed in the most fashionable couture but her practice is simply a mill. Sad, very sad. I honestly think she just enjoys the whole trip of having a Park Ave. office but nothing about actually helping a patient. Bon Jour ! read more

The worst doctor i have been to. Just going here makes my anxiety worst. The receptionists are rude, and the doctor tells you the only way to feel better is to get up at 6 am every day. She never asks how you're doing. Do not come here. Find a reputable doctor. Dont waste your time. read more

She is horrible she totally messed with my life. I've never felt like this in my life. First time ever on meds and according to 2 Psychiatrists I have talked to they all said it was a insane strong med to put me on. I felt so unstable to where I couldn't sit still and relax and I felt nauseas I felt so alone. And then when I went to see her to tell her I wanted off it she gave me attitude and prescribed another strong med. I can't believe she is in business she must be shut down she is ruining people's lives. read more