Be sure to review all Psycares reviews around the area. They are ALL HORRIBLE. How is this company still a thing? If Kaiser outsources you here DO NOT GO HERE!!!!!! I made 2 appointments here. The first one I saw my counselor...you can tell these are the brand new therapists straight out of school. The second appointment was scheduled for the next Tuesday. Unfortunately, I got a call on Monday day saying my father had a heart attack and was in the ambulance on his way to the ER. He is a 9 hour drive away from me. I had to hop on a plane distraught and devastated to go say my goodbyes as my father was brain dead from the amount of time he was without oxygen. So, naturally I missed my appointment for Tuesday morning. To be frank I didn't give a flying f%#* or remember to cancel it. I abruptly moved after this to help support my mother and this place has charged me over $500 for the missed appointment. Can you believe it? On top of the reason we are coming to this sh!t place they charge you, apply fees, interest, the whole 9 yards. Stay far away from this place. I truly wish nothing but the absolute worst for this entire company. I hope karma hits them right where it hurts. They are a complete trash company!!!!! read more

If I could give them no stars I would. I tried to make an appt with a counselor or therapist for my daughter who is suffering from possible depression and anxiety. They made me fill out custoDy paperwork and get my dead beat ex husband who lives in Europe and has NO interaction with my daughter to sign as well probably to make sure there were other sources for payment. That was more of a priority to them after I told them it was urgent to try to see someone one. They forced me to get custody papers signed before they could see her. I had it signed and faxed in within two days and no one called me back for a week and then I am told her first appt is March 10th! We're still in January!! Will never go to Psycare ever again. Shame on you people! read more

Going here changed my life. I first started therapy in 2005 and never felt that it helped. I kept trying because I didn't know what else to do. Finding Tammy Runge at Psycare has felt like a huge weight has been lifted. I finally know how to set and measure goals and understand that I am working towards them. If you had a bad experience here I'm very sorry. I've had so many bad experiences with therapists. Just remember that everyone is looking for someone different, so keep looking for somebody who can help you. It took me 14 years to find someone who actually focused on being helpful rather than just telling me what was wrong with me. As far as facilities there is free and easy parking and that is pretty much all I care about. Making an appointment is kind of a nightmare but, compared to the other places I've been, this is still one of the easier ones to make an appointment. Trying to get any kind of psychiatric appointment is always a nightmare. read more

I had excellent care. staff was great, doctit's all caring and safe environ. Alvarado location.

So, yesterday I was sitting in the waiting room before my appointment. I had the luxury of talking to two people who are undoubtedly crazier than me. Let's just note the Bipolar man wearing not only a Smith and Wesson T-shirt but a matching ball cap as well. He's even surprised that gun shops still sell to him. Just know that once you start talking to crazies, they won't stop. So, you kinda have to go big or make an abrupt excuse that you have spastic diarrhea and leave the waiting room until you are LATE for your appointment so you can get in without making eye contact or engaging in conversation with the crazies. Note: I'm a crazy, but I know I am. There is a difference. Those in denial are zombie like and behave erratically, all the while oblivious that they are behaving like an erratic zombie. Wow, I think I've witnessed the real life version of 28 days later.... read more

Avoid this place. They sub-contract the overflow from real practices. I've given them two opportunities over the years. Filthy and disgusting offices, rude and obnoxious receptionist. Therapist who count down the days till they are out of there. How do places like this stay in business.... Can't be returning or regular patients or even a patient that was referred. This is a place that people are sentenced to by the courts or welfare. Some regulating authority needs to go under cover and see how this place is operated because this is a pathetic excuse for a Counseling business!!! read more

I agree with the other reviewer. This place is a bureaucratic nightmare. The incompetence of the office staff is just astounding. When you're already suffering with health issues, it only compounds everything a hundredfold. read more

I saw Dr. Raphael Morris and Dr. Lindsey Alt at the location in Del Mar. Day-to-day: Lindsey Alt was my therapist; she often seemed distracted and as though she was not listening. She showed little concern about the symptoms I reported during an office visit with her -- that same day, I found myself in the emergency room. Dr. Morris's office is messy, he seems distracted, and often forgot information that I had told him previously. I understand if a doctor has a large number of patients, but I would hope that one would review my files before seeing me. He was often late in seeing me. The receptionist staff is unfriendly, and they appear to be more interested in having conversations between themselves than doing their jobs. As far as the incident that resulted in me terminating my treatment at PsyCare... Raphael Morris put me on a combination of drugs that resulted in me being hospitalized. From there, I went to an outpatient treatment for three weeks. Apparently, there are multiple studies that have been conducted showing the danger of placing a person with my diagnosis on the medication Dr. Morris gave me. I called the PsyCare emergency number at 7:30 am, after being discharged from the emergency room. I was told I would receive a call back when the office opened, which was around 8 am. I received no such call. At 9:30, I called back. I informed the receptionist -- again -- that this was an emergency. Finally, I was put through to my Dr. Morris. He spoke to me for two minutes, explaining he had no time to talk. I called back -- again -- in order to make an emergency appointment with him. The appointment was for 12:15. When I checked in, I explained that this was an emergency situation, and that I had been to the ER the night before. After waiting in the reception area until 12:30, I went up to the receptionist and explained that Dr. Morris was running late, even though I had been attempting to see him since 7:30 that morning. The receptionist showed little concern. I walked away from the reception desk, and one of the receptionists said, in a voice loud enough for the entire waiting room to hear, "Is she having a temper tantrum?" I cannot express how rude this is, especially considering that this is a psychiatric facility, and that I had expressed that I was undergoing a psychiatric emergency. I would be surprised if I received such disrespectful treatment at the bank or grocery store. Finally, I saw Dr. Morris, which was a very brief visit in which he merely referred me to Aurora Behavioral Health. Later, I sent a letter to PsyCare's patient relations office, detailing my experience at PsyCare. I received no call, e-mail, or letter back. In short: The doctors at PsyCare are negligent, or, at the very least, extremely overworked. Emergency situations are not treated as such by PsyCare's operating system. The receptionists and office staff are ill-equipped to complete their required tasks. PsyCare is a dangerous corporation, and should be avoided at all costs. I have since contacted a lawyer due to the company's overwhelming blase, disrespectful treatment, and their negligent medical practices. read more

First I was seen at the Eastlake office by Dr. Chavez, he wanted a TON of medical tests run on me before he would treat me. I saw him 3-4 times and he never handed me over to a therapist for weekly sessions. I called 4 times asking for the name of the therapist he was referring me to.....nothing. I called psycare and filed a complaint. They then transferred me to the Alvarado office. There I saw Dr. Fatakava (sp?) 2-3 times and Dr. Runge once. On my last meeting with Dr. Fatakava I mentioned that one of my neuro drugs was running out and although the order was in and they were to be shipped to me I was concerned that it wouldn't make it in time and I would be completely out. I told her it had heightened my anxiety. She opened her bottom desk drawer and pulled out a BUNCH of pills she named a few of them but then found the drug I needed. She handed me the pills after she scratched off another patients name. They're down right sketchy and unethical when they simply aren't returning your calls. Dr. Runge was very good, and I would like to continue to see her, but I won't set foot in a psycare office EVER AGAIN 1. Don't call patients back 2. Sketchy 3. Unethical.. read more

I can't even schedule an appointment here because I use medical marijuana in California. I have stomach ulcers that mmj has saved my life from, it's why I moved here. Yet these "doctors" don't know what medicines they can prescribe without interacting with a natural drug. This office is pathetic and I'm glad I didn't waste money on these quacks. MOVE TO A DIFFERENT STATE IF YOU CAN'T SUPPORT OUR LAWS!! Apparently mental health isn't their first priority, politics are. Do yourself the favor and don't even waste your time calling. BAD DOCTORS WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT CHEMICALS REACT WITH WHAT!!! read more

Fed up. We called to get an Rx refill. Left 2 messages and the message said I would get a return call within 24 hours. Left msg on Thursday. Called again on Tuesday. Still no call back. Rx was now all gone. In mean time reached out to another dr. Finally got in touch with someone here, but wanted to pull my kid out of school for appt (and a week later) and we said no, we need something sooner and cannot do during school hours. Got Rx somewhere else. Last week, (a full month after all this happened) I receive a bill for a NO SHOW! No one made an appt with you! And they refused to refund the $110 fee for an appt I had no knowledge about! Before I got this "invoice", I already decided to go elsewhere for services, but this had made me so upset I will share my experience with you all so you DON"T GO HERE (Poway office)!!! read more

Couldn't even make an appointment with these people. They refused to help me until I gave them all of my insurance information (which I told them repeatedly I was not billing through) and the social security numbers of my family members. NOT AT ALL HELPFUL. They don't care about your well being they just want to bill. read more

FYI this review is for the individual nurses/practitioners, NOT the psychiatrist. More often than not, my phone calls are answered with somewhat a defiant and unhelpful tone. This in turn has forced me to make multiple calls, leave multiple messages only to explain the situation over and over again. Needless to say, I no longer leave messages as it has proven useless. If you need a prescription refill DO NOT bother leaving a voice message as there is a lack of consistency with their follow through. read more

Not surprised at all that the majority of reviews rate this business as extremely bad. Avoid this place at all costs!!! PsyCare is able to take my primary insurance...but, because my son was adopted and has medi-cal as a secondary insurance...PsyCare is unable to provide a therapist or treatment. Extremely unethical!! Get a contract with Medi-Cal!! Why should my son be discriminated against because he was adopted??!!! Shame on you PsyCare. Shame on you. read more

Pros: Easy to make appointment Centrally located Free parking Nice office decor Cons: Did NOT appreciate the reception area with closed glass windows, and there wasn't any signage as to what to do when you walk in, then having to talk over the awkwardly placed computer monitors to conduct your business. Waiting 35 minutes past my appointment time to be seen, after arriving 30 minutes early to complete all my new patient paperwork. Therapist was wearing shorts, sleeveless shirt, and sandals with exposed tattoos. That's all fine personally, but in a "professional" office setting it put me off. I will not be returning. read more

I had a terrible initial experience here. Intake could not make a simple phone call to verify my insurance. Most everyone in intake is rude, especially the office manager. My doctors in the Carmel Office are amazing, though. They really helping me and the support staff is great!! Just get passed intake, and the doctors are not bad!! read more

They really do not care about patients at all here. The nurse practitioner (Erin Vierra) who saw me immediately said that she should find someone else for me to see because I told her I felt like I wasn't being listened to and that I wanted to talk to her some more before she prescribed anything. She didn't ask to hear more, she said well I can find you someone else then. No I just wanted us to talk for more than 10 minutes so she could get to know me better to make a better assessment. I wasn't there for quick fixes. I was there to talk and do the work and really figure things out. She wanted to give me antidepressants and send me on my way. I just wanted to be treated like a real person. The really traumatizing thing was that I got a call after my horrible appointment that left me fully in tears where they said they would not take me at all anymore because I smoke weed sometimes. What is wrong with them? I just wanted to be taken seriously and be listened to so that we could work together to get a treatment plan. This place is horrific. Please don't go here. Not to mention the rude reception staff. Just don't waste your time if you want kind, nuanced, and helpful care. This is not a helpful place. read more

Reading these reviews, I'm wondering if we're all going to the same Psycare. I'm honestly really happy with the treatment I've been getting. I've been going to the Alvarado office for six months, seeing Kennedy and Hornbrook. They've both been amazing, really helpful and caring, they remember even the tiniest details I've told them which really makes me feel they care. The receptionists are always helpful and friendly. I've never had a problem with this place at all! I'm only giving it 4 instead of 5 stars because the waiting room could use a little work, not that it's horrible anyway. read more

They are Kaiser's subcontractor, and it was not a good experience. The waiting room is cold and unwelcoming, and so is the reception staff as well as the Dr I saw. It was all very clinical, with the Dr going through a list of questions on a four page document. If I started to elaborate he'd tell me, "we'll get to that later." I was just looking for someone to talk my problems out with, but was treated like a patient in a very cold doctor's office with no warmth or welcoming attitude. I'm better off using an MFT if I'm just looking for a little guidance and resetting, but unfortunately with Kaiser as my insurance that will be out of pocket. read more

Be prepared to make an appointment a week in advanced, only to be called at 5:20 P.M. the night before your appointment to hear your missing vital paperwork. How they run a business like this is beyond me. I expect this non-sense from a High Schooler not a grown adult. read more

First of all there is some reviews for other locations other than the Alvarado Office. Different location different staff and doctors and Psycholigist and therapist. I see Dr. Kennedy and and Ana Castillos and they are both great. The staff does their job the best they can and I haven't had any issues. I love the robot reminders for appointments. I would love to have a text or app for this place for appointments or reminders though. I am not sure why everyone else is having so many issues or problems but it seems most are in other offices. read more

The McDonalds of mental health care. Minus the fast and accurate service of McDonalds. Don't be another nugget. And don't expect good customer service. Or respect for your time. read more

My daughter has been going to see this clinic, and the doctors are fair, but the office staff is terrible. No one answers the phone, they disconnect you, and never calls back from voice messages. Bills are mailed with a $10 "statement fee" and to pay your bill incurs an additional $5 fee. I don't know how a psychiatrist can put patients through this pain. Today I called for a regular refill for her meds, and was told the doctor was on vacation for 3 weeks and the rep didn't think she could get the refill ok'ed from the covering doctor. WHAT?! Agonizing. Don't go here. read more

Another person taking time to tell you: the office staff is cold and impersonal. I don't know how to explain it. I find them really hard to work with. I don't know if it's lack of training or if the office work culture is toxic, but it is really bad. My doctor is fine. My therapist is fine. Making an appointment takes forever, it's difficult to get someone on the phone, and they don't return phone calls. Getting a message to your provider seems difficult, getting paperwork back is impossible. Waiting time in the waiting room is long. read more

Gina Biagini-French, MFT charged me 75.00 for a missed appointment. I called and let them know ahead of time I was in traffic which was unusual at that time and running 15 minutes late. She canceled on me, and wanted a 75.00 deposit to reschedule. I told them no so she charged me instead. On the phone they said it was on the second missed appointment they charge not the first. I can see if I was a no call know show but I was being polite by calling . Life happens not my fault there was traffic. I guess when I decided to not do business with them they reverted back to their written policy. Well I hope they never keep a patient waiting past thier appointment time if they act like that. The office never called me back when I first inquired about the bill. Had to call twice, billing staff was rude and the therapist still charged me read more

I saw the psychiatrist, Paula Proffitt at the Carmel Valley location. The appointment was merely to manage my medication. She is lovely. I was still suffering from severe anxiety so she suggested I meet with a psychologist. Linda McGowan was assigned to me. I spent an HOUR in the waiting room filling out the forms with my medical history etc. When I finally was called into her office I had to spend the first 20 minutes repeating to her everything I had just written. Then she suggested that I go to the bookstore and browse in the self-help section. She suggested I watch Joel Osteen!!!!! Seriously?? Then she told me about her childhood in the mid west!!!!! I could get better advice from a homeless person at a bus stop!!! This woman should have her license taken away. Needless to say, the entire experience caused me to feel even MORE anxious! read more

The support staff are horrible, especially now that the appt was switched to telehealth. They all work from home so you have to leave a message. I have been trying to reach them to fix my daughters's registration. Every time I try to login, the portal states my daughter's name was not confirmed . My daughter missed her appt last week and out of her meds because these people doesn't know how to do their damn job. Horrible! I just called right now and I asked for the operator and they disconnected me. Great! I tried calling back , now the damn phone is busy! Lovely. Do not come to this place. The support staff are not very smart and they are lazy too! Freaking dangerous combination. read more

Stay away!! No therapist who works for them, no matter how good, is worth the bureaucratic nightmare! I've been to 2 of their therapists at 2 different stages in my life. The first time, I canceled an appointment by leaving a message for the doctor. The receptionist never gave the doc the message and then they harassed me for months for payment. Countless hours wasted on phone calls & letters of documentation. The 2nd time (it was years later & I'd forgotten that I already hated them - big mistake!), they trumped up some false copay. I called my insurance co. and the representative called Psycare with me to straighten them out. I kid you not, 45 minutes & 3 transfers later, we finally talked to someone in Billing. By that time, the insurance rep was furious. Ever hear your insurance rep do your yelling for you? It's hysterical! Along the same lines, every time I called, regardless of the reason, I was on hold for at least 10 minutes, no exaggeration. read more

DON'T EVEN BOTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY WANT YOUR $$$!!! I have been to a few offices for care and NEVER have I been confronted with such scoundrels! They are COMPLETELY about getting the cash! Don't get me wrong, the therapist I saw was a sweet lady, but the actual doctors, were awful. I have been continually charged for mishaps that were the fault of their poor organization and staffing, which I have had to hash out through a continual cycle of the clueless billing department and the doctor's voicemail, and even sat in the office for over an hour on an occasion, only to find out the doctor "didn't notice she had me on her schedule"!!! Yet, if you don't give an entire 24 hours to cancel an appt. or show up more than ten minutes late you are guaranteed to pay a 50 fee. Only your time is not important to them. Save yourself the headaches and find another place! read more

I've been going here about three or four months seeing doctor Kennedy. I saw her last at the end of October, informing her it would be difficult for me to come in for a while due to working retail (and the holidays) to which she said no problem, she was rushing me that day anyway, the medication she put me on was working, so I guess the details went unheard. I had to cancel my appointment at the beginning of this month due to issues with my staffing at work, the staff was friendly about it and I rescheduled, expecting things to ease up a bit, unfortunately they did not, and I called my pharmacy to get a refill on my non narcotic medication and non narcotic sleep aid for my anxiety. It was a tug of war to see who was at fault, as my pharmacy (they're awesome usually) kept telling me the request for refill was denied, and Dr kennedy's office telling me they did not receive any request. I spent every break I had on the day before Xmas eve on the phone trying to get things sorted, and never did. My next appointment with doctor Kennedy was for tomorrow, so I called again to switch it and get my once again, non controlled substance medication refilled (because you're not supposed to just stop that stuff) and the woman on the phone said "there is nothing we can do, we denied the requests from your pharmacy, you have to see the doctor" and I got angry, they were making me feel like a drug addict, you would think they would be more understanding having dealt with people with mental issues before. She told me my only option was urgent care, I told her that was BS, and I was taking my business elsewhere. Why lie about my pharmacy requests in the first place? Why deny me a drug that is not controlled and for a diagnosed medical condition? Why make me feel like an addict for something that just helps me function daily (once again, these are not fun , happy drugs) finally, my amazing primary care physicians office got it filled, and said denying me this medication is unsafe and ridiculous. I will be taking my brain business elsewhere, and honestly, Dr. Kennedy was extremely fake and uncaring the last time I saw her. So I don't mind. Go elsewhere. This place values dollar signs over your mental comfort. read more

The administration of Psycare is completely unprofessional and has only caused me to feel worse. After filling everything out to schedule an appointment with a therapist they told me they would call back with an appointment date in a month and a half. After 3 months of waiting I called again and they told me they were not moving forward with my case because I had not provided them with a clean drug test which was necessary to see a psychiatrist even though I had specifically told them I wanted to see a therapist and that I already have a psychiatrist. After this mistake on their behalf was clarified, they told me that they still could not schedule an appointment with me because I reported in my application that I smoked weed and was an infrequent user of molly (which I haven't used for 7 MONTHS) and they told me that because I have used those drugs I needed a chemical dependency specialist which they didn't have. I pleaded with them that I have a lot of issues unrelated to drugs and that I really need to see a therapist and they told me that now I could not see a therapist until I provide a clean drug test. I really feel that my mental health is in a bad place and I really need help and all this place did was carelessly provide a false hope while preventing me from seeking actual help elsewhere. Also I understand that molly is really harmful and even smoking weed is pretty bad but their medical director thinks that young adults are getting addicted to molly which if you understand the effects of different illicit drugs you would know it has little potential for addiction (it needs to be taken weeks/months apart to feel full effects), so this medical director does not have a very informed medical understanding of even the most prevalent problems young adults face. read more

Tried to get an appointment for a family member suffering from depression. After 4 phone calls and several hours was told verbatim "We can't get you an appointment because we don't have enough doctors" Absolutely unbelievable. Nice hypocritical oath. These people are the lowest. read more

Dr. Kennedy is a horrible doctor. Stay away from this place unless you want to be treated like scum. The office staff is just nasty and rude and they will lie right to your face. I've tried several doctors here and they are all just cold, awkward and unprofessional. And forget it if you fall on financial hardship, you're screwed. They will stop working with you and cut you off your meds. read more

Referred by Kaiser for advice related to co-parenting issues. Psycare's scheduling was more flexible than Kaiser's. Was pre-warned by Yelper's about stringent Psycare billing and other policies, so I intended to read everything. The pre-appointment call asked me to show up 30 min. early for paperwork, OR download 12 pages from their website to do at home. Helpful. There's also a $10 off your co-pay coupon on the website. BUT, i was handed about 6 more pages when I check in at the office. The kicker was the Please-sign-this "It's-normal-in-California" Arbitration Agreement! Maybe this is normal, but I don't appreciate being handed all this legal jargon when it could have been on the website. And I asked. The answer was that they required the carbon copy of my sig. Well, they could have included it in the new patient forms on-line anyway, as a heads up. It's kind of difficult to read it when you're trying to keep your kid entertained, and the other people in the waiting room aren't so quiet about doing the same thing. A few lines down the form clearly states I'm giving up my constitutional rights. I stated I'm not comfortable signing it. After the receptionist said she would have to check with the therapist whether she was WILLING to see us, the therapist appeared to tell me she was not ALLOWED to see us. I got my co-pay back, because "Kaiser patients aren't charged the $50 cancellation fee." Good thing. read more

The only reason I go to this facility is because of Tammy Rungie, she is an excellent therapist. I called today to cancell an appointment for tomorrow because I have the flu, because it was noon instead of 9 am the are going to charge me 75.00 as a late fee for a cancelled appointment. This place is so impersonal. I have been going there for two years now and none of the front office staff act as if they even recognize me. My other dr.s recognize me and I'm only in there a couple of times a year instead of once a week. Bottom line is not only are they not friendly, but often they are down right rude. Gouge you every chance they get. If you can go somewhere else than do it, if not just prepare your self for petty and rude front office staff. read more

Dr. Myel Joy's office is the worst I have seen. I am in healthcare and there lack of work ethic is horrible. I was threatened. Telling me "if I do not call back by 5pm, they will cancel my appointment", that was not for 3 more days. When trying to call them, the automated center is 5 minutes long, and to get someone to actually speak to you...is 10 more minutes. I work Monday - Friday, as do most. The only time I can call is during my lunch hour. They have NO ONE covering the phones during lunch. No one answers, no voicemail options. The staff is rude. Unsympathetic. And to threaten there patients who are seeking mental help! read more

I most certainly agree with the other posters here. While I absolutely adore my doctor (Dr. Raminini) the rest of the staff and the red tape, rules, regulations and unbending attitudes and unwillingness to listen is appallling. I am speaking of the office in Kearny Mesa - not on Alvarado. So, it seems it is company wide...makes sense. I have been a patient for years and nothing has ever changed. The ONLY reason I go there is for my doctor. SHE is amazing, caring, and tries her best to get around all the red tape the "corporation" makes for her. If you are new and looking for help, go somewhere else!! Otherwise you will be frustrated and unhappy if you have to deal with anyone other than a doctor. read more

Horrible! The worst part was all the hassle after they triple-billed Kaiser for our one couple's counseling appointment--a mistake? Hardly. This is a sleazy operation. The incompetent cliche-spouting 'therapist' (not even a social worker!), the filthy offices with years of fingerprints caked on the doors and door frames, and the bare lightbulb shining right in my partner's eyes (seriously!) speak volumes. We had just one couple's appointment; we were allowed 6 visits and we'll never go back. Oddly, this place was so hysterically bad it was a re-bonding experience for us! Don't go there, please, but if you do, don't touch anything. Really, it's that dirty. read more

TOTAL RIP OFF, they don't help they never answer to cancel an appointment and they charge cry high rates. DO NOT GO TO THIS PLACE.

I agree with Aidan, in the review below. Coming here has made a change to my life. I am still working through many things. Too many to count. I'm not 100% healed. But they have helped me to reduce many symptoms. Before coming here, I went to a clinic in Mexico. I didn't have insurance yet. I was started on medication because my mental health condition was never treated, when it should have been since I was a child. When I finally got insurance, I came to PsyCare. I was seen by a doctor and she asked me questions about my symptoms, allow me to tell her about my horrible life experiences and issues in my life, and as a result, she told me how important it was for me to be seen with a therapist and start medication to help my symptoms. My symptoms are not fully gone. But they are helping me. I need a little help in the therapist part, but I'll find the one for me. I felt bad at first, even guilty. But Aiden is right, it's about finding the right person for each of us. And they have many professionals at PsyCare and various locations. read more