Dr. Violina Frenkel, MD

I was treated at the Integrative Behavioral Care practice where Dr. Frenkel is the Medical Director. Under the treatment I received at this practice, not only was I misdiagnosed, was but negligently given a tremendously high dose of a medication that was in violation of the black box warning. It's taking me two years to recover from the treatment I received here. I'm writing this post out of concern for anyone else seeking treatment. If writing this review helps one person stay away from Integrative Behavioral Care, then I feel as though all my suffering wasn't in vain.

I have been seeing Nurse Lyuba for several years and she has been amazing until Dr. Frankel decided to insert herself without any prior knowledge of me. Since then, Frankel has created a disaster and has empowered the office staff to question and belittle each time I request a refill. I suffer from three conditions that require a specific medication. If a patient suffers from one of the three conditions the FDA sets a guideline for a specific dosage of daily medication but also states it is dependent upon the patient's needs. There are no FDA dosage guidelines if a patient suffers from multiple conditions, and this should be where the FDA states it is dependent upon the patient's needs. Apparently, Frankel views the daily dosage of the medication I had be taking, and I was feeling the best I have in years, and makes a decision to reduce the dosage by half. No discussion, no explanation, just 50% reduction. Think about the affects if your medication had been suddenly cut in half. Then… a couple of months later Frankel decides without any explanation to totally eliminate another medication. So, for almost a year I have been struggling with the limited medication. The website states they will "implement the most comprehensive treatment plan for each patient." How does a comprehensive treatment plan for each patient align with Frankel reviewing medication dosages and reducing them without any knowledge of the patient, except the dosage amount? Well, in short, it is not possible to provide an individualized treatment plan when actions as such are taken. Multiple times I have emailed the refills mailbox and received a response that I have not been taking the medication requested or I have not been taking the dosage requested. My response has been that I have been taking the medication and will gladly provide the emails where it has previously been approved. They respond that we would never approve, and no email documentation is required because I have not been taking the medication. Would I know the medication that I have been prescribed better than someone reading the refills email? Especially, when I have the previous emails and the prescription bottle. How does this help when dealing with such a narrow minded individual? Then there is Michael in billing. I had a session on a Tuesday, paid the bill Wednesday and receive an email from him two days after paying that I have an outstanding balance. I informed him that I called the office and paid a specific person the day after the session. A short time later he responds that he contacted the person that I had spoken with to make payment and had verified that I had actually made the payment as I stated. Pretty much calling me a liar and needed verification. How about reviewing your payment records rather than contact someone to determine whether my statement was truthful or not. I have had monthly sessions since 2018 and paying the session fee one day after the session is the longest, I have been without making a payment. I am currently seven days without a certain medication, feel terrible, and no closer to having it refilled even though the pharmacy, insurance company and I have all reached out. Due to what I consider negligence on the part of Frankel, I have had to reduce and/or eliminate medications to minimize the side effects that were manageable prior to the reduction in other medications. My plan was to continue work for a couple more years, but with the medication debacle I am unable to perform at my personal standards and have no other options but to retire early. A couple of months before Frankel inserted herself a close friend ask how I have been feeling. Responded this is the best I have felt in years, little did I know that I would soon be Frankelized. Get Outlook for Android

I have been seeing Nurse Lyuba for several years and she has been amazing until Dr. Frankel decided to insert herself without any prior knowledge of me. Since then, Frankel has created a disaster and has empowered the office staff to question and belittle each time I request a refill. I suffer from three conditions that require a specific medication. If a patient suffers from one of the three conditions the FDA sets a guideline for a specific dosage of daily medication but also states it is dependent upon the patient's needs. There are no FDA dosage guidelines if a patient suffers from multiple conditions, and this should be where the FDA states it is dependent upon the patient's needs. Apparently, Frankel views the daily dosage of the medication I had be taking, and I was feeling the best I have in years, and makes a decision to reduce the dosage by half. No discussion, no explanation, just 50% reduction. Think about the affects if your medication had been suddenly cut in half. Then… a couple of months later Frankel decides without any explanation to totally eliminate another medication. So, for almost a year I have been struggling with the limited medication. The website states they will "implement the most comprehensive treatment plan for each patient." How does a comprehensive treatment plan for each patient align with Frankel reviewing medication dosages and reducing them without any knowledge of the patient, except the dosage amount? Well, in short, it is not possible to provide an individualized treatment plan when actions as such are taken. Multiple times I have emailed the refills mailbox and received a response that I have not been taking the medication requested or I have not been taking the dosage requested. My response has been that I have been taking the medication and will gladly provide the emails where it has previously been approved. They respond that we would never approve, and no email documentation is required because I have not been taking the medication. Would I know the medication that I have been prescribed better than someone reading the refills email? Especially, when I have the previous emails and the prescription bottle. How does this help when dealing with such a narrow minded individual? Then there is Michael in billing. I had a session on a Tuesday, paid the bill Wednesday and receive an email from him two days after paying that I have an outstanding balance. I informed him that I called the office and paid a specific person the day after the session. A short time later he responds that he contacted the person that I had spoken with to make payment and had verified that I had actually made the payment as I stated. Pretty much calling me a liar and needed verification. How about reviewing your payment records rather than contact someone to determine whether my statement was truthful or not. I have had monthly sessions since 2018 and paying the session fee one day after the session is the longest, I have been without making a payment. I am currently seven days without a certain medication, feel terrible, and no closer to having it refilled even though the pharmacy, insurance company and I have all reached out. Due to what I consider negligence on the part of Frankel, I have had to reduce and/or eliminate medications to minimize the side effects that were manageable prior to the reduction in other medications. My plan was to continue work for a couple more years, but with the medication debacle I am unable to perform at my personal standards and have no other options but to retire early. A couple of months before Frankel inserted herself a close friend ask how I have been feeling. Responded this is the best I have felt in years, little did I know that I would soon be Frankelized. Get Outlook for Android

This office only cares about your money not the patients . Find another provider. They do not care.

I changed doctors around 4-5 years ago, and have been with Dr. Frenkel and her staff ever since. There are a lot of doctors between northern NJ and Summit, but I take the hour ride. I have never had to wait for more than 10 minutes at the office, ever! Zoom meeting start right on time, never once had a issue with the link. Its a rough road dealing with anxiety and other issues, but to feel like you have people who can help is so important. I can't think of anything to say negatively, the staff are like friends and there to help. I had a situation 4-5 months ago, and contacted the staff at night. I received a call back that same night, and together we addressed the issue. The negative posts are from negative people who will always find fault in anything. I can say I would recommend Dr. Frankel and her staff 100%. I was very fortunate to connect with her, its made a difference in my life. you only get out what you put in. Thanks to the entire staff JM

How many other lives have been ruined by people being prescribed drugs that permanently destroy the way their body naturally functions? It's evil to make someone believe they have a real illness when they just have tough lives and then give them drugs that actually do make them ill. Such is my story with this doctor.

Please ignore all the 5 star reviews. This clinic is completely nonresponsive to their patients. I was ready to ignore the fact that the NP was 40 minutes late to my virtual appointment, for which they didn't even send a link until I called at the time of. But apart from that, they never answer the phone at the office and do not return calls or emails. They were supposed to send a prescription 2 weeks ago but the pharmacy has no record of it. Looks like all the 1 star reviews hold true.

Dr. Frenkel is one of the least personal doctors I have ever experienced. She is dismissive and truly only keeps track of the medication she has given you. She couldn't care less about the actuality of her patients' day to day mental livelihood. She just wants your money and is nothing more than the signature on a the prescription slip. Appointments are five minutes long at most, she asks you a few questions, and then charges you a stiff $200. One time, I called to make an appointment when my medication ran out and couldn't get in to see her for a weeks. I asked for the refill to my medication in the meantime but Frenkel denied it, citing that I needed to have the appointment first- thus forcing me to stop my medication abruptly, cold turkey. I experienced withdrawal symptoms and called for days trying to explain the situation, but Frenkel was impossible to get a hold of and made her receptionist deal with the communication. It was awful. After being a patient of hers for five years,… I will not be returning and could not recommend her any less. I am fiercely disappointed with her service.

Ive been a patient for many years. Dr. Frenkel provides excellent medication management. I travel all the way from Queens, NY to have her for my doctor Shes just the best.

Been a patient of Dr. Frenkels for many years. 1st psychiatrist to keep me completely stable to where I often forget Im dealing with mental health challenges! Warm, trusting, caring atmosphere.Excellent relationship with patient in working together as a team to stay well. Knows when to tweak meds, when necessary.