Being a physician with an interest in psychiatry but with my own mental health issues, I set a high bar for quality in psychiatry, and Milan Joshi MD and his staff have met my expectations. Douglas Lloyd MD MPH FACPM read more

I have trusted Dr. Milan Joshi for over 25 years, he has helped me navigate my mental difficulties, I will miss him if he retires or dies. The only thing I regret is him passing me to a younger associate with limited experience, but how would you get that without the doing. When needed he has referred my family to professionals in his practice in areas like relationships, personal crisis, or life's travails. No one is perfect when it comes to dealing with the human psyche but as I said it takes time to build experience. Personally I have never experienced any real negative attributes when it comes to his staff, so yes, I recommend he and his staff. read more

I have been going to Joshi & Merchant for many years and I have always felt welcomed and grateful for their care. They have an outstanding team and I have never had a reason to go elsewhere. I began my work with Dr. Joshi who was always sensitive and kind, truly cared about his patients. I have been working with Praveena for the last few years and she is phenomenal - kind, caring, a calming presence. And she knows her stuff. I was surprised to see the negative reviews, but all practices go through growing pains. I'm sorry some folks got caught up in it. Thankfully, all of those reviews are years old and I hope current patients feel otherwise. read more

Don't go here. My therapist, Priscilla Ballsun, who has since been fired there--she pocketed my copays for half a year (unbeknownst to me, of course), and when the company called to tell me why that therapist was fired and I asked what they would do about reimbursing me, etc. for all the money that was essentially stolen from me, they hung up on me. When I called back and tried to make an appointment with a new therapist at their practice (who would not pocket my money lol) they said my account was "flagged" and I asked why, and they hung up on me again. Also, when I was trying to get pregnant and I wanted to check with the doctor about which medications were safe to take while pregnant, they said they essentially didn't know...after waiting and waiting weeks for them to give me any sort of an answer. The best answer that male doctor could give me after checking with all the others within the practice was "I knew one patient that took XYZ which is a class C drug and her baby was fine," which was not a comforting thought at ALL. There are lots of reasons why (today in September 2023) this business has a 2.2 review. I would give it zero stars if I could. Money down the drain I'll never get back on top of abysmal service and no integrity or customer service. read more

I have nothing but praise for this practice. Based on your problem and personality, they match you with a provider. My provider has been outstanding, takes the time to discuss issues and always has something helpful to say. Great, professional office. read more

Not only do they NOT take my insurance (and now I have to scramble to come up with the $250 charge for the initial consultation, no discount for self-pay) but the provider was late calling me for the appointment, so I was late for an emergency dental appointment, slated for a half hour after my provider appointment. If she had been on time, I could have made my appointment on time, but I guess that isn't important to this practice. (Yes, I know people have crises but shouldn't they build in time to scheduling to allow for that?) To cancel my appointment (because I can't afford to go here), meant calling their main number repeatedly but digging around their website yielded a second number, that no one bothers to check, apparently. I was able to cancel my appointment but the guy I talked to made it sound like they use the main line to do appointment reminders, so that blocks out anyone trying to call for other reasons. They need a link like appointment@docjoshi.com to make it possible to cancel while their line is tied up. I would say confirm, and reconfirm your insurance coverage before going here, and don't expect to be able to easily reach them. The actual care, once the provider belatedly called me, was useful, except I told her I had terrible side effects from the drug she wanted to prescribe, and she went ahead and prescribed it anyway. Not listening is a red flag to me. read more

Ruth Feldman is great, a total sweetheart and she really listens. Doc. Joshi is also excellent and helped me a lot more than the doctor I went to before him. I give four stars because staff are overbooked and my appointments tend to be late. They don't leave enough room in the schedule for crises so if a patient needs extra attention it throws their schedule off. I have to block off an hour for a 15-minute med check because I don't know when the call will come. I also had to call repeatedly to sort out an issue with a prescription my pharmacy lost but that was as much CVS' fault as Joshi & Merchant. They're also one of the few good practices that take most major insurances so that's a huge plus. read more

The providers here are OK, but the front desk is a complete mess. The receptionists have no idea what they are doing, and billing is equally disastrous. read more

If I could give 0 stars I would. Staff is unorganized, stuck up, disrespectful, and has no clue of what dealing with today's pharmacies entail. This office is a complete crap show! If you let them they will disrespect you in the lobby & talk to you as if you were a child. The moment you ask To be treated with dignity and respect, they put you on a performance plan as if you were a kid and try to discharge you on the first opportunity that you would become late as a result from a long drive in traffic even when calling in to say that you were stuck in traffic and are going to be 15 minutes late. All the reviews posted here practically sum up how unprofessional this place is. I would have switched providers a long time ago Only if it wouldn't have involved Researching a provider that takes my insurance and provides a smooth transition over picking up where I had left off in Service. There's a reason that there is a huge turnaround in staff This place is run by morons avoid it if possible. read more

Joshi Merchant, MD - Example of their petty unprofessionalism - Psychiatrists Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

Worst experience ever. I went there just to get a medicine refill (because my old doctor moved locations and is now super far away). The wait was about 20 minutes (not the worst). Once seen, I was interrogated for over an hour about every little unrelated detail about my past. The doctor asked me extremely detailed questions about things I am not comfortable talking about and kept digging and digging for more things that were not related AT ALL to the prescription I needed filled. It was essentially like having 10 forced therapy sessions where I was forced to share things with a stranger. I left there a mess because I was not prepared for this, and it seemed very uncalled for. I have been to several other doctors to fill this prescription and it never consisted of more then a few questions--- never an interrogation, or a forced therapy session. After receiving my prescription, the pharmacy o had it sent to was unable to fill it for several days. This was a problem since I was going out of the country in two days. I tried calling Dr Joshi's office-- however YOU WILL NEVER GET AHOLD OF SOMEONE. Every single option for their office consists of you leaving a message and they will call you back within 48 hours. This is ridiculous. I have never gone to a doctor where you are unable to reach ANYONE for a few days when you call. So, now after having the most uncomfortable conversation with a stranger, I will not even get my medicine before I leave for vacation. DO NOT GO TO THIS DOCTOR. read more

I have used dr Joshi for years now. The staff is helpful. I have never had a time where they were not professional

i just started seeing Dr. Elshaday and have nothing but good things to say about her and the office! Very well kept with helpful staff.

The doctors are great, back office could use some work, is improving. Let's get real, there aren't a whole lot of good psychiatrists that take insurance anymore. Joshi and Merchant offers both quality care, and takes insurance. Dr. Joshi and Michelle Williams, NP, are among the best psychiatrists in the area, period. They have tremendous experience, and have good bedside manner. They listen, and if you work with them, you'll probably get well. The trouble in paradise, because they take insurance, they have a lot of patients, and there is a bottleneck in their back office. So, here are the problems and how you deal with them. 1) Appointments frequently run off schedule. It's a psychiatrist's office, so sometimes a person has a crisis. Solution, bring a book, phone, or laptop. Don't schedule anything too close to your appointment. 2) The back office is slow on getting back to people on appointment rescheduling, prior auths, and medication refills. Solutions: a) Try to minimize working with the back office as much as possible. Make sure you get your refills at your appointment. b) Try to stop by the office if you need to reschedule. They can usually do it at the desk. c) Treat these overworked folks like human beings. Learn their names. If you understand who this office is, and how they work, you'll get great service. Live long and prosper. read more

I was looking for a psychiatric office that takes my insurance and was referred to this practice by a friend. My last experience at a psychiatrist's office was not amazing and I was extremely anxious going in. However, everyone was super welcoming. The PA that worked with me, Amber, was very nice and attentive. She took the time to ask me questions and get my family history. They always confirm my appointments beforehand and Amber is always on time calling me. I also got to talk to and meet Dr. Joshi. Dr. Joshi was incredibly friendly and gave helpful advice. read more

Best place ever. When my NP isn't available, Dr. Joshi will call himself (or meet with me during non-COVID times). They really care and are incredible. I don't know why there aren't better reviews but I couldn't ask for better doctors! I don't care that there's a wait sometimes, because my needs are always met! Highly recommend!!! read more

Someone had broken into my car and stole my backpack along with my meds. When my nurse practitioner Michelle Williams found out she yelled at me and basically accused me of lying and told me I was going to make her loose her job. She is a horrible person and made me feel horrible about something I had no control over.(this happened months ago I just still think about it since I majored in psychology and can tell how incredibly wrong it was of her) luckily I am better now and do not need meds, this was definitely NOT with the help of Michelle Williams read more

Pleasant staff. Easy to reach providers. knowledgeable and caring providers. Betsy Christensen PA is a terrific.

The office staff are unprofessional and incompetent. I like my therapist, Betsy Christensen, but the office staff is less than desirable.

I've called and left 3 messages since Monday, to simply schedule an initial appointment. It is now Thursday and no one has returned my call, which is a red flag. I find this to be EXTREMELY unprofessional, especially with regards to the type of services they provide. It is difficult when you reach out to a place for help, and they should you from the beginning that you aren't valued. If they call me I will simply tell them I am no longer interested in getting services from them since their staff is clearly incompetent! From the other posts, it's clear that the issue is their staff!!!! read more

This practice is horrible. No one answers the phone. You always get a recording. All the practitioners are Physician's Assistants, no MD's (undoubtedly because their costs are lower and their profits are higher higher). The people are rude. They don't empathize with their patients. You leave there feeling worse about yourself than when you came in. This is not mental health care. read more

They do not care about the patient, it seems we're only a number. Rushed through appointment. There is no empathy at this place.

Very poor service. There is no empathy, lack of compassion, and it seems like they just try to see as many patients as possible in 1 day so they make their money. I feel more like a number rather than a patient. They give you a 15 min. Slot, and Dr. Joshi doesn'teven look at you when your there, he just prints scripts off and looks at the screen the whole time. I don't feel like he cares at all, just there to get his money. Don't waste your time or hard earned money!! read more

Unprofessional Hag in the back!!!!!!!!.....Met with "therapist" Priscilla Ballsun. She was very cold & not quite what I expected. She asked me about payment upfront and rather abruptly, even though my insurance was already on file, and confirmed with receptionist. She tnen told me I needed to come in once a week which I reluctantly agreed too. I had to cancel a few times, WELL WITHIN the 24 hours and she sent me a text message saying "she's charging me a hundred and some odd dollars anyway...and that she wouldn't be scheduling me again". I can understand her being upset, but REALLY tried to get there but couldn't for various reasons (work late, low on funds for $35 co payment each visit), it was just too much. However the way she talked to me in the text was odd, money grubbing and callous. No inquiry or regards to whether I was feeling better or not just. JUST ABOUT MONEY Do yourself a favor DO NOT GO HERE and find a kinder therapist. read more

I should have stopped coming here a long time ago. I always have to wait an hour AT MINIMUM. They clearly don't value their patient's time and after years of loyalty, I've had enough. I work full time and have kids, I can't keep coming to a place that doesn't have any respect for my schedule. read more

Consistent turnover of therapists (I've seen 3 in less than 2 years, I only go for medication management so haven't left but refuse to g back st this point), horrendous wait times, and most recently refusal to provide forms needed that forced me to schedule an emergency appt elsewhere. I would not recommend this practice to anyone. read more

Saw Dr. Joshi for the first time, who was an hour late because he forgot he had an appointment with me (his own words). Someone sat there taking notes and asking me questions for an hour before he showed up. Joshi came in and barely glanced at the notes. I mentioned that effexor had worked for me, but gave me bad side effects. He said he wanted to put me on pristiq because it's apparently the exact same thing, just a slow release dose. He said the slower release helps with the side effects. Gave me free samples of pristiq to start. Later, I called in and left a message saying I was having worsening anxiety caused by the pristiq. Got a call back from a staff member who said to keep taking it, and it will go away. I kept taking it, and it did not go away. My next appointment with Joshi, I brought it up. I also mentioned the pristiq is not helping my mood at all. He said keep taking it, and then prescribed the medication to me as he had ran out of free samples. He also was going to prescribe klonopin to help with the side effects of the pristiq, but I said it felt weird to be taking a second pill to help with bad effects from the first pill, when the first pill was only making things worse. I've seen a psychiatrist in the past who worked this way before and I ended up on 4 different medications with new worsening symptoms before I stopped seeing them. Anyway, I had the prescription filled for pristiq and found out it costs $150 for I think 14 of them because there is no generic. I can't afford that, even though Joshi very generously gave me an expired coupon for the pristiq. So I now have to go cold turkey off of antidepressents, which is apparently dangerous. In addition, after speaking with the pharmacist and the therapist that joshi recommended, they were both surprised to hear what Joshi told me. I shouldnt be surprised, as he didn't know anything about me during our appointment. I had to correct his notes for him every time he tried to confirm something about it from his notes - he didn't even remember what I was taking. As for Dr. Joshi's personality, he doesn't like to spend more than 10 minutes with anyone and will make a small attempt to sound like he cares and that he wants to help. I complimented his glasses and regretted it, because he then spent more time talking about his glasses then anything else. I can't tell if he is just in this profession for the money, if he does truly care about people but is just incompetent, or what. But, based on my personal experience, I can not recommend him at all. read more

I had an appointment 11/8, scheduled 3 weeks in advance. They called two days before to confirm the appointment with the wrong date. I tried getting in contact with them and left numerous voice messages. They don't answer the phone and run their business as you're another number. I showed up at the correct appointment time and they wouldn't take me. Waste of time. Don't see this doctor. read more

You wait like three hours for your appointment for them to glance over your chart for a few minutes and then prescribe you about the same things you're on. read more

Dr Joshi is the best out there. Kind and extremely qualified. I was in difficult situation few years back with false accusations by my inlaws. Dr Joshi and his fellow staff that includes marriage counselors among others took time to do a comprehensive evaluation over 6 months. They stayed honorable to their profession by not taking advantage of the situation but solving the problem in a very perceptive way. Ive lived thru some major life crisis, and Dr Joshi was very sensitive in his approach. They gave me a clean chit on health but also advised me at their best on psychological evaluations. read more

Read excellent reviews of this practice on another website. Unfortunately, I could never schedule an intake appointment. I played phone tag with intake person for 3 weeks and finally just requested that she schedule a time for me to come in. I never heard from her again, so I suspect they're great if you can catch them, but I gave up after not being able to get a live body on the phone. read more

I like the doctors, if you ever get the chance to see them. It took me three months and 14 phone calls to get an appointment. Then, when it was finally the day of my appointment, I waited for nearly an hour and had to leave before I was seen. I know changing doctors is a hassle, but it can't be any more difficult than dealing with this. read more

I was referred to Joshi & Merchant by my Primary Physician. At first I was hesitant in going for several reasons. 1) Distance (lI live approximately 35 miles from Columbia. 2 ) I really did not want to begin the roller coaster that I had experience in the past with other Drs. and... 3) Some of the reviews I read had me concerned. Well, I decided to do as my Primary had suggested and set an appointment. 1st) in regards to setting the appt. I got a recording, left a message and got a call back the very next day and was able to set an appt as soon as the very next week. 2nd is in regards to my wait time to see a Dr.. My appt time was 3:15 and by 3:30 I was out of the waiting room and in to see a Dr. However, instead of seeing a Dr, I saw a PA, Betsy Christendom. She was absolutely fantastic. Rather than a 5-15 minute session (which is what I expected), Ms Christendom spent almost an hour getting to know me, my history and how I was currently feeling. I left the office feeling better about the session than I had ever hoped for. Since that session, I had a reason to call Ms Christendom with a question. I left a message first thing in the am and heard back in less than 1 hour. I can't speak for others, but for my own experience (I can whole heartedly say) I could not have expected any more than the services provided. After leaving, I discovered there was even a pharmacy in the office building. I not only had a more than satisfactory session with Ms Christendom, but also was able to get my scripts filled, all in the same building. It's because of all these reasons I gave a 5 star rating and look forward to my next appt. read more

Absolutely horrible services. I have been seeing them for a couple months and they have never impressed. Your doctor will it respect you or listen and will schedule your appointment and show up 45 minutes late always. They will also send any missed appointment to collections right away (mine went to collections after 5 days). This practice is garbage. Don't waste your time calling because they won't return your call or answer. I feel like I need new medication for dealing with these ppl. I'm not being irrational but I have a certain standard especially if the doctor has the nerve to send my bill to collections after 5 days, having an $85 missed apt fee, and waiting on hold for 30+ minutes to cancel my next one You have been warned. read more

Dr. Joshi Is the best doctor out there. He is kind and caring as an individual and has been the only doctor in my many years of suffering to figure out how to alleviate my anxiety. Your visit may be short if you do not voice your problems which is fine if you have no issues he is not a therapist. However it is not devoid of caring. I go out of my way to see him from southern MD. read more

If I could switch psychiatrists right now I would but if Joshi and Merchants is a 2 out of 5 the other offices near me would be a zero. (Had a provider at one of them actually laugh at me cruelly during the appointment, to give an example). At least my nurse practitioner at Joshi and Merchants is nice and as empathy and knows what she's doing! That's where the good part ends here- the staff that runs the office and probably management is awful. They either never call you back when you request a call or call you over a week later. They would not refill an antidepressant because I hadn't see them in 3 months (though their policy is 6 months) and did not call, email, write me to let me know they were refusing to refill or let me pharmacy know what was going on (they were outraged by the lack of concern for me as a patient also!) till 8 business days later. My pharmacy sent faxes and called and they never even called those professionals back!). If I didn't have kind pharmacists I would have ended up very sick from abruptly discontinuing the antidepressant or if my doctor left the practice I would go where she is in a heartbeat. Then I have the flu and they pressure me to come in saying I owed money because I canceled last time which is bogus and which I called them on. I asked them if they really want me there with the FLU??? As soon as I can I'll get my primary care to RX the antidepressant that's working. If this continues I'll be filing official complaints with their licensing and accreditation orgs. I'm doing well and I can speak up for myself but shame on them as I suspect many of their patients with mental illness can't. read more

They absolutely, 100% do NOT care about their patients. Their billing company has screwed up tracking of my regular payments that have been ongoing for two years, uninterrupted, and they have placed a hold on my ability to schedule recurring med management appointments. This has disrupted my school work, my professional career, and my personal life - and it's not something they appear keen to resolve anytime soon. If there's any possible way for you to avoid this office, turn around and run. Do not risk your mental health care to this terrible, unprofessional office. read more

Let me first say that Dr. Gaddam is great, but the business and customer service is horrible. They double charge you for everything. I left because I was double charged to prepare the same letter and when they told me I had to pay an additional $30 dollars for a phone call to check the status of the letter I was already paying for, that was the final straw for me. The customer service is horrible, they do not return or answer phone calls. The receptionist at the desk ask me to pay $30 dollars for a phone call and I told her I was not going to pay the $30 dollars, she called me rude in front of other patients and argued with me, on whether I was rude or not. Never have I seen such an unprofessional set-up. It is only about the money with these guys! Try to find someone else that will care about your condition. read more

I have been going to this practice for a number of years for therapy and medication management. The providers I've dealt with have been good. However, getting a call back from the office or reaching a human is impossible. I'm no medical professional but I know enough to say this can't be ethically acceptable. I'm not one to write negative reviews but this situation has got me floored. read more

Horrible doctors they just throw medicine at you and really don't care about you as a person its all about how many patients they can see and the money. The one dr I liked left the practice dr Kim imagine that he was not a pill pusher he truly cared.Would never recommend this group of Drs to anyone. read more

I have been seeing Dr. Siddharth Bajpai and he's absolutely great! Very patient and caring doctor.