I do not recommend Dr. Dawn Byrd of Integrative Psychotherapy and Assessment Services (IPAS) as a mental health provider or specialist.
On 3/9/22, I contacted Integrative Psychotherap & Assessment Services (IPAS) and scheduled a neuropsych evaluation--it was scheduled for 3/28/22. I was very happy with the support staff that assisted me. I was contacted on 3/15/22 advising that prior to the neuropsych eval that an intake assessment was necessary. On that same day, the intake assessment was scheduled for 3/17/22. There were additional emails and phone calls exchanged on 3/15/22 to providing background info--address, social security number, etc. Then we received an email that said, "Unfortunately, due to time restrictions and preauthorization requirements, Dr. Byrd will not be able to take [husband's name] on as client at this time." We were devastated. We have to start the whole process over and in contacting Medicare Advantage, we were told that the preauthorization needed would have taken 5 minutes--so obviously, this was not the reason that my husband's appointments were canceled.
Altogether, twelve (12) emails were exchanged (their emails; this number does not include responses) and numerous phone calls were exchanged. Just short of a week had passed and then the neuropsych eval was canceled?! Just short of a week of our time was wasted and why...because Dr. Byrd didn't want her staff to take 5 minutes to get the preauthorization for the intake evaluation? She knew that 45 minutes was authorized, but if it went over 45 minutes she would need preauthorization. I can assure whoever is reading this that 45 minutes would not have been necessary, but regardless, to get preauthorization would have taken 5 minutes (I called our carrier).
I don't know the true reason why my husband's appointments were canceled. I do know that we did not abuse IPAS. We did not make a nuisance of ourselves--we simply responded to their emails, or answered their phone calls.
This has proven to us that Dr. Dawn Byrd is very unprofessional and not someone that anyone should try to depend on. When it comes to mental health, we all need to depend on our our psychological health provider to be professional.
In retrospect, I feel we dodged a bullet. Frankly, we don't want anyone else to have to waste their valuable time dodging a bullet, or God forbid, take one!
Now, I will start over and schedule my husband to meet with a professional that will give him the assistance that he needs. In this time of COVID, it's not easy...can't even get my dog in to see a veterinarian. Thank goodness, I know a few things about health care and animals. read more