Dr. Murry Jospeh Cohen, MD

When I first started going to him he was good. Very helpful with my meds. But in the last few years he has changed. All he does is play with his dog and ask if you need some meds. Doesn't really care about any effects you are having or how you are doing. Big difference.

he is a strange man. i just go to him for my meds

It has been several years since I left messages asking for more meds even though I knew it wasn't possible. That was a huge mistake. Without warning, I received a long letter telling me he would no longer treat me because I kept "demanding" more medication. He made recommendations including in-patient de-tox. I don't remember if he recommended facilities, but I do remember him listing names of doctors, therapists and facilities he did NOT recommend - similarly, early on he gave me a list of therapists. The list included the names of therapists he would not work with. (As an aside-I remember him criticizing a patient calling them a professional patient. I'm not sure what that meant, but it makes me wonder how often I am brought up as the patient who always "demanded" more medicine). Why would I take his advice without the opportunity to discuss it? The first time I met him, I asked if he wanted to do med checks because I knew it might be easy for me to take higher doses than… prescribed. His answer was that the med check would be that I would run out. I feel like the combination of medicine he prescribed might have helped me more than other combinations I had taken. I can't say he is a bad doctor, but I have to say that the way he dismissed me was cruel. It has been a very difficult several years. I am still searching for a doctor near Fredericksburg. I have been traveling to NW DC for a few years. I guess I would recommend Dr Cohen if you are confident you will make no mistakes. Recently I was driving with my teenager for his appointment to see his doctor. I did not realize until that ride how Dr. Cohen and my mistake had impacted others around me. My son thought he should lie to his doctor because he was afraid the doctor would not treat him if he told the truth. Let me be clear that I made the mistake of using the medication differently than prescribed. I made the mistake of letting my son overhear that a doctor refused to continue treatment. Unfortunately, Dr Cohen's last encounter (via the letter) did lasting damage to my family and me. I have to rate him very low because, even though he treated me effectively, his response to my mistake negated everything he did for me up to that point.

Dr. Cohen does not seem happy in his work. He has no empathy or even interest in his patients, if my experience is anything to go by. He spent the initial appointment with irrelevant questions about where I had lived, when I moved, did I live in this place first or that place first, etc. He didn't even ask what was going on with me currently. When I finally, in desperation, suggested we talk about what treatment he had in mind, his response was that my time was almost up. The most he would offer was that we would spend several months getting me off of my current ineffective anti-depressant. Then we'd try something else, not specifying what. This man should not be practicing medicine. No matter what your reason for seeing a psych, you are strongly recommended to find someone else.

Rude receptionist. Messy office. Unprofessional. He is terrible.

Wants to help you better your quality of life.

Tried to follow up as a family member and was asked to send email with important information to allow the Dr to better assist my mother. office staff was very rude and no response or acknowledgment of the information provided. Very distasteful and no concern for patient health!!

The previous responders appear to have the wrong definition of what a psychiatrist does. Initially a psychiatrist will discuss what is going on both personally and physically. This is to determine a diagnosis of the possible issue/issues. I am a current patient of Dr. Cohen and have been for 2 years. Did he diagnose me right away, of course not. That's not how it works. Dr. Cohen took his time, we scheduled weekly appointments at first. He asked a lot of questions and listened attentively to my answers. I was diagnosed on my 4th or 5th visit. Since then, all my appointments are about the medications. Dr. Cohen always goes over my current medications and asks if I have had to start any other medication. Example: I blow out a disc in my back and let him know what I was taking, he wrote it down in my chart. Each appointment since then he has asked if I still take them. If ANY doctor does not know the complete list of medications one is taking, including vitamins and supplements,then a… mistake of interaction is bound to happen. The longest I have ever waited in 2 years is 20 minutes and I have no problem with this. It's because I know he isn't constantly checking our time and if I need just a minute or 3 extra he will. I'm sorry this went long but I feel I must stand up against the negative remarks because Dr. Cohen is a popular and well respected psychiatrist in our area. He has make a remarkable difference in my life.

Dropped patient, because receptionist claimed patient was disruptive in waiting room, simply because of a 2 hr. delay for an appointment. Patient only asked to reschedule at a later time. Dr. Cohen dropped patient, because of the need to leave and reschedule without notice due to doctor being two hours behind schedule. Patient was neither loud, nor disruptive. Receptionist disliked patient due to having to bill two insurance companies. This doctor is not recommended, especially if you are under age 30;

When I read the reviews below I was wondering if we saw the same person. My experience was absolutely positive in all regards. So before you blame the doctor maybe you should look at yourselves first. Maybe doctor is just reacting to your negative attitudes. There is no magic bullet, psychiatrist cannot eliminate your problem, just help YOU to deal with it. I am happy that I found someone with Dr Cohen's experience and understanding to help me.