Manhattan Medical and Psychiatric services

I went to the Astoria office today because I wasn’t able to find a new doctor in time for refills. There was a patient dealing prescription drugs to an obvious junkie in the waiting room. They were trading money and pills. I seriously need a new doctor.

I can’t believe I am writing a review about this place on Thanksgiving-​please take that into consideration when you even THINK of visiting this place.
I went to their office on a recommendation from my Doctor-​who gave me a warning that the only reason she would even refer me to this place is because my insurance covered nothing else in the city. Horrifying.
I was in extreme anguish with anxiety and depression when I visited. I had made an appointment for Dr. Belfar-didn’t have to wait to long because I agreed to see the nurse practitioner… First, she took me to a room with french doors (meaning there are windows to the waiting area) where I had to describe my ordeal – note this was my first visit. I was in absolute tears the entire time. Then Dr. Belfar came in (apparently that was his office and we could no longer use it). So, the nurse took me back to the room he was previously using – through 2 waiting rooms, while I was incredibly upset and crying. ALL of this during the middle of our 10 minute session.
At this point I had been on an anti-​depressent for atleast ⁴⁄₅ years and I really like, I did not come to change my medication. She asked if I was ever diagnosed with anxiety and depression… Really??? How did she think I was even on this medication?! I was also on a medication to calm anxiety. Instead of being a Psychiatrist– all she did was change me from my one drug to the other-​gave no instruction as to how to make the transition, when I called later to say that I needed her to explain how to change, I received no phone call back. I am not someone who is self harmful, but REALLY!!! A patient crying in your office and you don’t even CALL BACK?!
I had scheduled two appointments after my appointment with the receptionist. One phone call and one office visit. I never kept any them and gave no notice. You would think that a mental health care facility would give a bit more of a care for their patients. Apparently not…
I don’t normally write reviews on this website, but I cannot agree more with the 2 reviews of this office that it is HORRID. DO NOT GO HERE. If anything, visit your GP and tell them your issues, hopefully they can recommend someone else…
I have never been so appalled… Please save yourself the time and anguish of visiting this «mental health care office.»

This place is a conveyor belt of patients that takes advantage of the health care system and patients who actually need to be treated for psychiatric disorders. Drs. Belfar and Valbrun may have medical degrees and associations with the American Psychiatric Association but they need to learn how to do what it says on their website which is listen to their patients and figure out what is really going on in order to effectively treat.
Dr. Valbrun likes to just give med after med after med without reviewing all of the history.
Dr. Belfar doesn’t even know his patients and could care less if they are getting effective treatment. He also has prescribed medications that interact dangerously with each other. As a psychiatrist, you would think that he should be aware of that.
If i could give zero stars I would. I would never recommend this place to anyone and I would encourage all who get care there to stop… immediately.
This place is a perfect example of the corrupt and dysfunctional health care system and especially the crappiness of psychiatric care available in New York City (where most doctors don’t take insurance because of all the rich people willing to pay for services).
They also are terrible at keeping appointment times, having to wait 30 – 60 minutes past appointment times and then spending all of 4 minutes with each patient. They are also impossible to reach for medical advice, care, and emergencies.
This office is the worse thing that ever happened to me. Stay away!!!