Dr. Jennifer Smith, MD

My first experience with Dr. Smith was during an inpatient hospitalization in which she was pretty horrible. Wouldn’t take my word for anything and instead insisted on speaking to my parents even thought I was 21 years old and said she wouldn’t let me leave until she talked to them. I decided to give her another chance and saw her for an outpatient appointment when my regular psychiatrist was out and she was just as bad. She insinuated that I was “faking” my mental health symptoms and generally did not take me seriously. She was also the on call doctor when I had a severe dystonic reaction to a medication which she was unable to identify over the phone even though the symptoms were textbook and sent me to the ER when all I really needed to do (which I found out with a huge ER bill) was take some Benadryl.

I went to see Dr. Smith because I wanted someone that I trust to prescribe a medication that I needed in the short-term and not something I actually had to take every day for the rest of my life. Thanks to being honest on my intake form, she denied my medication and expressed a concern about a legal issue I had nearly 10 years ago. I understand the side effects and possibility of addiction to benzos. I clearly stated to her that my anxiety was brought on by mitigating circumstances and once I got out of school and got a job and started living a somewhat normal life, there was a great chance that I wouldn't need medication anymore. She, like every other doctor on the planet, recommended an anti-depressant that I would have to take every day until I tapered off of it. Her main concern was that I drank too much to be on a benzo. Fun fact: drinking and taking any medication is not recommended...even SSRIs. She, without being explicit, accused me of being an alcoholic and a drug addict. She… barely took the time to ask me real questions and spent our very brief visit warning me of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. It was embarrassing and she is an embarrassment. Stay away if you can or spend the extra money to talk to someone who actually cares. I'm not upset that I didn't get what I wanted/needed, it's the fact that she dismissed it without even trying to understand the type of person I am. Never trust a doctor with such a generic name. It's like buying off-brand tennis shoes.

Dr Smith led to an extremely poor experience. Unfortunately I spent my entire deductible on her session and have to spend more to go to someone else. She was timid and made me feel extremely uncomfortable. She seemed scared, like I was some psycho she needed to protect herself from. After insinuating I was on drugs and that I probably had narcolepsy instead of ADHD she insisted I needed a drug test and a 600 dollar ADHD test before she would consider helping me. Ive been diagnosed with anxiety and depression by several doctors and instead of believing the diagnosis she went on to ask me a bunch of questions about voices in my head. She asked about my medical history and when I described increased heart rate at times she told me that was something the DMV should know. She didn't even refill my Prozac at the end of the appointment. Ive been on This medication coming on a year and I don't think she medically comprehended the fact that I would need refills to keep me on track. She even… suggested I get a larger dose and when I told her I didn't want to see her anymore she decided I didn't need refills at all. I've seen several mental health professionals in the past and never come out actually feeling worse about my position. I can't comprehend how they would keep someone on staff unless they're in dire need. I would recommend asking for a different psychiatrist if you're stuck using her group because of your insurance like I was. My biggest complaint is that instead of hearing anything I had to say she spent the entire appointment trying to convince herself I was on drugs, a drunk, or had been previously misdiagnosed. Avoid if you want help with your situation or any kind.