Harbor Psych

I will never come back. Per my previous review I had come and seen Dr Balcos who was the biggest narcissist I’ve ever met in my life. I definitely didn’t want to see him again but since I had paid the weird $ 95 first visit fee (with my deductible already met) I wanted to take advantage of the fact that it was only $ 7 per visit after. I called and was put on hold right away for about 5 minutes. That’s really short compared to other times I’ve called, I once had a 10 minute wait and just hung up and called back (put on hold again). I told the receptionist that I want to see a Psychiatrist but not Dr Balcos. She was super unhelpful and said nobody else could see me since I had already met with him. Thanks for nothing. I wish I never came here in the first place. Don’t waste your time and money.

I have been going here for six months so far and I have to say the office staff is always kind and friendly I am not a big fan of the waiting room because to be honest I don’t like people, but it is always clean and the chairs are comfortable. Nor am I a big fan of the office furniture change but my therapist is awesome and it is close to my house. I would like to see my therapist at his other office twice a week but I can only see him there once a week, small price to pay I guess. That is why I didn’t give them 5 stars. Other than that, like I said the office staff is always kind a friendly, I always get my reminder call, and I see Dr. O’neal who is great.

I had initially felt good about this place after finding it on my insurances network provider list. They were first on the list.
Called to make an appointment during my break and to my utmost disappointment no appointment was made.
Why? Because of the untrained staff/​receptionist and Office manager in the background.
My first mentions during the call is that my insurance listed them as a network provider. Hence why I called to make an appt. About 10 mins of being placed on hold and questions about my ins. They were unable to verify my ins. The MOST simple thing to do is call my ins to confirm. It’s literally one call away. (Note: my ins is very simple and quick with assistance) And I provided the number.
But the receptionist stated they could not do that and suggested I make an appointment and they will figure it out later when I’m billed.
Um NO. Why on earth would I make an appointment without verifying my insurance. I’m not trying to pay full price. That’s the whole point of calling only in network providers. Hello!
SMH to this place. I’m sure the doctors are great but if they are hiring this kind of staff. It’s definitely out of order over there. Setting up an appointment should not be this difficult. It’s either a yes or no for verification.

I have been a patient here for, I think, almost 3 years now. I see Doctor Gessesse regularly, and Doctor Root on occasion.
They are both amazing doctors. I’ve previously never had psych doctors who listened to me and understood. I have agoraphobia, a chronic pain condition, and major depressive disorder. It all makes for a vicious circle, so I’m VERY glad for the doctors here. I never want to go anywhere else.
The office staff are always very nice and courteous as well. I’ve never had a bad experience here.

I have been to countless therapists and psychiatrists over the years and none have ever compared to those at Harbor Psych. I absolutely LOVE going to this office. The front office staff is always polite and personable. The waiting room is always clean and they decorate for every major holiday which makes it feel a little less clinical and a bit more homey in there. There are several therapists and psychiatrists to choose from. My therapist recently left the practice and set me up with another in the same office before she left. It was a smooth transition. She really set me up for success. I started out with one psychiatrist that I didn’t really jive with, and my first therapist suggested another in the office and I adore him. I always leave the office feeling better than when I went in. :)

My experience with Harbor Psych has been nothing but poor. I made an appointment with Dr. Gessesse to go over medication management. I have anxiety issues and have seen psychiatrists most of my adult life and have been put on medications to help me deal with anxiety. I felt a spike in anxiety due to a new job and move and looked for a Dr. to help me deal with this issue. I booked an appointment to see Dr. Gessesse as soon as possible to address my anxiety and possibly go back on meds that helped me deal with my problem. I left work early and traveled to his office where I waited 1 hr to be seem by Dr. Gessesse. I entered his office where he thanked me for waiting as his previous patient was «a bit difficult». I understood and we proceeded with my initial visit. This being my first visit I anticipated being in the office for at least 30 – 45 minutes to go over my history. He asked me what I felt and if I had been on meds previously. I explained and I had and told him that I experienced success with a specific type and hoped it could help me again. Within 10 minutes I was out of the office with a script for the same meds and asked to make an appointment in with the receptionist. That’s it. I made the appointment and was on my way. The appointment came soon enough and I was held back at work due to deadline issues and was running late to my appointment. I called Dr. Gessesse and explained my situation and asked him to please allow me 5 minutes and I would be there. 5 minutes. The receptionist gave the message to the Dr. and stated the Dr. could not wait and that I had to reschedule. I rescheduled for another week to follow up with the Dr. regarding my meds. During this time — my meds ran out. I called the Dr’s office and explained that my meds had run out and that I had an appointment with the Dr. for the following week and see if they could phone in an Rx to my pharmacy. The receptionist stated she would without a problem. I call my pharmacy the next day and ask if they received a refill for my meds and they stated they hadn’t. The Dr. refused and stated I needed to see him. I called Dr. Gessesse and asked to speak with him directly and all I got was vmail. I left a vmail and hoped for a call back so I could explain. Nothing. I decided to look into another Dr. that could possibly be a bit more understanding and responsible. I paid a $ 35 copay in addition to my insurance paying $ 440 for a 10 minute visit and the Dr. does not have the courtesy to call his patient back, or give 5 minutes after I waited 1hr in your waiting room after a «difficult patient». Fast forward to today 10/​30/​2013 I receive a bill in the mail stating I owe $ 100 no show fees to Dr. Gessesse’s office. I called immediately and spoke to Amber the office manager ho heard my concerns but stated that she could waive one fee but not the other. I advised her I would not pay anymore money to Dr. Gessesse’s office because I called asking him to please give me 5 minutes — that I would be late 5 min to his appointment. Ultimately Amber stated that it was my responsibility and that the charges would stay and that I would be sent to collections. Dr. Gessesse does not care about the well being of his patients he cares about dollars. If you plan to see him please keep that in mind. He doesn’t offer the same courtesy you offer him. I Dr. patient relationship should not be handled as a transaction but as a relationship. You trust your health to your Dr’s and all they truly have faith in is your dollars. BTW I am now visiting with a Dr. in Long Beach who is great and is helping me with my anxiety and I could not thank him enough.

This office is a great place, not only is the staff wonderful but the providers are just as great. You come in feeling well taken care of. They genuinely care about their patients. You will receive a reminder call the day before your appointment. They do Psychological testing and ADD testing. If your looking for a friendly care office where you will truly get taken care of Harbor Psych is the place to go, with over 20 providers you will find the right fit for you.

The counselors here are the most professional and helpful, yet at the same time the most down-​to-​earth I have known. Dr. Owens and Dr. Oren are the ones I can specifically recommend, though I would imagine that the rest of the counselors and doctors are equally qualified. The previous comment gets it completely right!

In reply to the review above, in the beginning of 2012 there was a replacement of office manager & I feel this is a very nice & helpful clinic. The staff is wonderful & the atmosphere is a lot nicer since the new office manager! I would encourage you to give it another try.