Dr. Elsa Ronningstam, PhD

I saw Dr. Ronningstam for 5-6 sessions. She was a mediocre therapist. There is a language barrier (English is not her first language). She usually was running somewhat late, 5 minutes at most. She sets up her own appointments (no secretary), so it was hard to get in touch with her. She was insightful at times, but these were few and far between. One warning: She has been cut off from Harvard Pilgrim health insurance, but she does not inform patients of this - I think she may be involved in some unethical business practices using two tax IDs. Just be very, very careful when planning to see her - ask for her tax IDs and get in writing which tax ID she'll be filing under. She does her own billing and she is either 1) unknowledgeable about how to bill insurance, or 2) is engaged in some sort of billing fraud. I've never felt like my doctor was "shaking me down", but that's how it feels like with her. I would advise you to look for other therapists - there are so many other… (non-sketchy) options out there.

Ronningstam was one of the least helpful therapists I've ever seen. I never liked her, but she was the only one who had an opening. She often forgot to show up, or was so late that she missed the entire session. She slept during our sessions so I guess that big cup of coffee she always brought in didn't do much good for her. After a year I found out she knew nothing about me. I wasn't all that surprised. I was embarrassed to ask for a switch, but finally, I got up the guts. All my friends were so happy I fired her at last.