Counseling Center of Prince William Health System

I was a patient there for about 3 years. What I got was a Dr who did not listen to me and would simply increase my dose of a very expensive medication. After my pleas to change to a different medication went unheaded, I stopped going there. I was over medicated and when my fog cleared, I changed Drs. I am perfectly happy on another, cheaper medication.
My daughter, however is still a patient, primarily because it is extremely hard to find a competent pediatric psychiatrist. Dr. M is fine and we will continue with her.
The front office staff, one woman in particular, is rude and unhelpful. I could cite many examples but will suffice to say that it is appalling that the staff is so rude and unhelpful while dealing with emotionally fragile people. Inexcusable.

Will give you pills but not for what you need. Eventually I stopped even mentioning my increasing anxiety because I never get the medication I need for it. It’s debilitating and ruining my life and I’m just going to find another office where maybe I’ll be listened to. Also took me off Ativan for no reason other than not wanting me to have it. Ruined my life.

*Sensitive Review/​Topic*
For months, I tried calling several psychiatrists to schedule an appointment as a new patient without success. Finally, I was able to see a doctor at the Prince William Hospital’s Counseling Center. It was many miles away from home, but I needed to continue taking medications (after being months without them).
When I met Dr. «R», I noticed that her accent was extremely strong. This created a huge language barrier with plenty of «Sorry, can you repeat what you said?», «What?», «I don’t understand». That got tiresome.
I have seen psychiatrists before, and I always despise the first appointment. I hate having to repeat my health history. Dr. «R» would inquire (frequently, I might add) about my religious and spiritual background.
I do not have any.
Normally, non-​judgmental doctors would end any further faith-​based discussions there.
Nope, it seemed like Dr. «R» was surprised that someone «like me» was an atheist. (I am a volunteer and a vegetarian.) She was convinced that my compassionate nature stems from hidden spirituality. I denied this. She also seemed to be put off by my rejection of Thai culture and Buddhist beliefs. She quickly made it very uncomfortable for me to try and state my lack of religious beliefs.
She continued to mildly push spirituality and religion as ways to help my «situations» improve. If I wanted to do that, I would’ve gone to a priest or Buddhist monk. I thought the objective of my appointment was to discuss medications and treatment plans, not to receive therapy (that I already was receiving from a much more qualified professional). Spiritual psychotherapy may help some, but let me repeat, I was not interested.
Speaking of therapy, she seemed to blur the line between psychiatrist and therapist. She would ask me questions and if I refuse to give her an answer, she insisted that I do so. For example, «What do I believe in?» I said, «nothing», and she refused to accept that as an answer. I was very irritated at that point and I have been feeling a bit nihilistic lately hence that answer.
Not only was I annoyed (and offended) by her endless non-​psychiatric questioning, Dr. «R» had seemingly amateur knowledge of psychiatry and psychopharmacology. She was not a pill pusher like Dr. Dang in Falls Church was, but Dr. «R» could use a refresher course in psychiatry. In fact, I highly recommend it. She’s better off as a general physician than a psychiatrist.
I needed to get back on my former medications. She prescribed me on the lowest dosage possible of a certain medication. I figured it was fine to build up to my previous amount, but I had to return in 2 weeks. I don’t drive so I knew it would be inconvenient. Instead, I asked for a sample pack of that one medication (which contains 5-​weeks worth of pills to build up to my previous amount). She didn’t have any samples. My previous doctors would always have samples as a no-​cost way to get started on medications. She also did not want to prescribe me back on another type of medication that I was previously on. Instead, I was prescribed only with an extremely low dosage of one medicine possible.
If you need to see a psychiatrist, don’t see Dr. «R». Psychiatric treatment is serious business, and don’t expect much help if you are willing to develop a patient/​doctor relationship with her. Highly not recommended.