Dr. Deborah Beth Pollack, MD

I saw her for a while and it wasn't until I started seeing someone else that I realized that what she provides is not therapy. She provides advice, opinions, pep talks, and patient education, but none of those things are the same as psychotherapy. Some of the conversations we had made me feel better, the same way a conversation with a close friend or family member might, but it wasn't therapeutic. Generally, the only question she asks is, "How are you doing?" so it's nearly impossible to dig deeper and learn more about yourself, your patterns, your fears, your insecurities, your triggers, etc. There are few if any "lightbulb moments." I suspect that her training was focused heavily (or maybe entirely) on psychiatry and not in psychotherapy. It's a shame because I think she is very well-meaning, but I wish I switched therapists sooner.

She's a very nice person and knows how to manage meds, but I would not call her sessions therapy. She's more of a professional advice-giver. She asks you how it's going and then after you reply, she tells you what she thinks you should do about it. I will also echo the comment about feeling short-changed. She is late to EVERY appointment and sometimes even goes to make coffee before sitting down with you, after you've already waited 5-10 minutes.

Schedules appts every 45 minutes, not 60, so actual session lasts only about 35 minutes. Every other psychiatrist I've seen reviews the chart BEFORE the patient sits down, ready to begin on time, and writes prescriptions and schedules next appt AFTER the 45-50 minutes of therapy. Feel shortchanged.