Krista Lee Ribota

I want to share my experience with Krista Ribota to provide insight for others. During my last visit, I attempted to be open about a deeply personal and traumatic experience. What I shared is something I believe to be extremely rare and because of this, I do not share it with anyone. I knew it would likely not be understood, yet I summoned a great deal of strength and trust to speak it out loud and share it with Krista (someone), in order to address my health. After sharing, I was met with complete silence by her—no response or acknowledgment whatsoever. It was dismissive at a moment when I was vulnerable and seeking support. Additionally, when I spoke about my anxiety, I was met with questioning that was invalidating. She asked, “What makes you say it’s anxiety?” as if I don’t have knowledge of my own medical condition, my own medical history, and my own medical diagnosis from my doctor. Moreover, this question suggested that I don't understand my own mental health. I have previously… been diagnosed and treated for anxiety, which she should have seen on my patient form. Her question was dismissive and not fully but a bit gaslighting, in a sense that she made me question my reality and my diagnosis by doctors. She made me question a condition that I've lived with my entire life. Finally, the appointment process was confusing and I felt targeted as in, it felt like it was just me receiving this treatment, although others may have had the same experience. The experience being, I was repeatedly required to have appointments with and speak solely with her during visits rather than the doctor. I have always been able to have appointments directly with psychiatrists at other facilities, so it made me wonder if other patients were able to speak directly to Harbor's psychiatrists. I also wondered whether I was not given the ability to speak directly with doctors due to my health insurance being Medicaid. I see on Yelp reviews other patients have appointments directly with Doctors. Overall, I was unsupported, dismissed, and her lack of response to the trauma I shared with her has left a mark on me. -Her silence was damaging. She left me with the thought, "I will never share this with anyone again." I hope this feedback is helpful to anyone considering care with her.