Dr. Ulla Kristiina Laakso, MD

It's hard to find a psychiatrist who knows medications as well as Dr. Laakso. She has helped me, and countless others. Many therapists and pharmacists recommend her — because she cares for patients, and she knows her stuff. Highly recommended.

I can't believe how closely all the negative reviews conform to my own experience. I filled out the form and from that point on was - to my surprise - deemed bipolar. My former psychiatrist had just died. He never made such a diagnosis. The prescribed meds precipitated a severe depression that lasted for over two years. I gained about 40 pounds. I finally got the nerve to go off cold turkey and discontinue "therapy" with Dr. Laakso. My depression lifted (went away entirely) and within weeks also the excess weight came off. Additionally, it should be noted that Dr, Laakso's staff are officious and rude.

After my regular Psychiatrist retired, I saw Dr. Laakso as a new patient- I was experiencing severe anxiety- She gave me Vraylar, a brand-new drug for Bipolar - Disorder- I am not, and never have been, Bipolar- The Vraylar greatly intensified my anxiety - On one occasion I was tearful when I saw Dr. Laakso- The next time I saw her, she told me that no other Psychiatrist would have agreed to treat me, as I was so "off", and that if I didn't start improving, she wouldn't be able to continue to see me- I was in a vulnerable state, as many patients are when they see a new Psychiatrist- Her saying that my symptoms made me unacceptable as a patient was traumatic for me- I really regretted having expressed any emotions in her presence- Frankly, she missed the part of the Oath to "First do no Harm-"

She should have retired years ago.

Don’t be fooled by her park avenue address. Worst.

Beware of this doctor. Dr. Laakso will ask you to sit down for a 5 minute video, have you answer some basic questions, and then tell you that you are Bipolar and need to be on medication. She misdiagnosed my mother and had her on lithium and other medication for over a decade. If you Do other searches for this doctor, you will see that she repeatedly does this with other patients. No wonder she’s traveling the world at the cost of pharmaceutical companies; she’s getting kickbacks for prescribing medicine her patients don’t need. Stay away.

When I asked her to clarify her diagnosis, she felt challenged and attempted to shame me by bringing up personal history of a parent who had been hospitalized. I went to see her for help and left her office in emotional pain. She is awful.

I’ve read a dozen reviews and it’s like I wrote them myself. This woman barely saw me for 5 minutes, had me watch a video and fill out a form and told me I was BiPolar. Then she pulled out a script pad with a drug preprinted on it. Turns out it was something that had only been approved three months earlier. I spent the next six months on several different medications until I became resistant. The only thing that saved my life was shock therapy. I lost everything...my job, my car, my apartment. But the material things are nothing compared to the years I lost just trying to claw my way back. It terrifies me even to think about that time.

I read all this comment yet my experience with this doctor has been always been positive, attentive and caring. I am aware that Dr Laakso is not a therapist and one needs to find a therapist if one wishes.

All this woman cares about is wearing designer clothing and having a fancy Park Ave. address. I don’t know what an acceptable amount of time there is to spend with a patient but I was consistently in and out of her office in 3 minutes (after a considerable wait time). The one time I wanted to talk a little she abruptly told me this wasn’t ‘talk therapy’ and ushered me out. Her staff is also rude. But she is well dressed. She’s got style.