Dr. Patrick James Mcelfresh, PhD

We were referred to Dr. McElfresh for an autism assessment for our young adult son. Although my son connected with him during the assessment, and he seemed professional enough when my husband and I met with him privately, three factors caused us to be unhappy with the experience overall. (1) My son arrived for the 2nd day of the assessment and waited for an hour. Finally a staff person noticed him and told him Dr.M was called away for an emergency (we found out later another client was having a major personal emergency). Even though my son was likely his only afternoon appointment, Dr. M didn't figure out a way of contacting him or asking someone in the office to do so. (2) This staff person also told my son he'd probably receive a negative assessment because he was "too intelligent," and when he finally received the official results, that was the case. However, intelligence is not a diagnostic criteria for autism in the DSM-5; in fact, the DSM is clear that autism can occur with or… without intellectual impairment. My son told us that many of the tests he took seemed geared toward younger kids (basic math), and included a Rorschach test (not really relevant for an autism diagnosis). Dr. M does not seem current on how autism presents in adults without intellectual impairment or how to diagnose it in such cases per the DSM-5. These two factors (being left to wait for an hour - which would have been longer if someone hadn't happened to see him - and having his autism symptoms dismissed because he is "too intelligent)" were disheartening for my son who'd worked hard to find someone who assesses adults and had connected with Dr. M one-on-one. (3) To add insult to injury, we paid out of pocket for what we were told was the full cost of the assessment ($1880), and then he tried to bill us $25.00 for the insurance co-pay, a problem that took multiple calls to remedy.

I just think that he is really good. Therapy isn't always as easy as healing a wound you can see. Therapists have to dig around to find the issues. Dr. McElfresh is comprehensive and gives his all to help his patients.

It can sometimes be hard to evaluate a therapist because the therapy process is not always perfect. But building a relationship of trust and respecting me as a person are so important for therapy to work. I couldn't ask for more from Dr. McElfresh and his determination to protect his clients and build that trust.

This guy really knows his stuff. If you are lucky enough to get an appt. with him, you will build a relationship that will help see you through just a ...

Very interested in my issues. Intelligent. Dedicated to helping. Gives hope.

Dr. McElfresh is on spot, intelligent, caring and knows his stuff.

I have made MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS to schedule an appointment with Dr. McElfresh. He has not responded to messages I left with his answering service. Additionally, he has not responded to an email I sent. This is unethical and does not make me want to schedule with him, since it appears that he does not respond in a timely fashion. I wonder if this is how he deals with his actual clients. Well, he certainly does not have me to add to his list of clients.