The Psychology Center SC - Madison, Wisconsin

Michael E. Hwang

I tried to seek help from a psychotherapist who could help me process and overcome my challenges at The Psychology Center. But I felt it did not work out. Because that clinician may not have known I am a person on the autism spectrum, she may not have understood I am a black-and-white thinker. If that person had been aware that I do better with recalling things by reading a journal from my Word Document/Google Docs to meet my goal, she would not have a misconception about copying words and sentences from websites I went to (as well as not having her wrong thoughts about reading anything from a self-help book). This way, she could have known these actions would help me to discuss what went well, what did not go well, and what I need to work on.

Since I realized The Psychology Center does not accept my health insurance, I felt disappointed that one clinician did not help me with what other clinics can cover my Medicare and Medicaid/Forward Health health insurance cards. Can anyone help me find any mental health clinics that support those with special needs/autism? Can anyone assist me with which place approves my health insurance? The more they help me find psychotherapists who can interact with differences, I would be much appreciate them.

Sam Santschi

Their administration or "front office" policies are asinine and cumbersome. Not patient centric. They use different third party software for all of it and there is no way to reply to their software's emails, which is extremely frustrating. They don't answer the phone either. Really a joke. One system for billing portal and one for sending in clinical information forms and appointment setting. Billing system cannot handle more than one related family member. My Family member had just wanted to reestablish with the therapist seen last year but they are super rigid about having to re-do all the paperwork, clinical questionnaires, etcetera even though nothing has changed insurance, condition or demographic. They threatened to cancel the appointment if the paperwork was not completed on time, which they then did while I was trying to get someone to help. Was told that it's just the way it is. That that's their policy and that the therapist would need to know ahead of time what the presenting problem is. I said "How about the Therapist read the patient history? Anyway, they would not budge and said it was related to HIPAA, which is untrue. I WOULD AVOID this place just on sheer principle.

Elizabeth Kerwin

I can’t say enough bad things about this place. My kids and I were in a car accident that caused PTSD. We desperately needed therapy but this place… Janet Bauer should lose her accreditation. She literally broke my kids. One time, she had driven my daughter to the point of breaking and then said “see you next week!”. We had to take her in to see her gp to get meds to help her recover. Our doctor was HORRIFIED by them and their “therapy”. I personally saw someone different, but she wasn’t very memorable and most certainly wasn’t helpful. Not only did I feel judged, but I came to find out they literally conference together and compare notes on their patients. Janet knew things I’d told my therapist in session and brought them up in front of my kids during their sessions. I understand working with peers to help with diagnosis or strategies, but to do it by name and then in combination with another person’s treatment - that is beyond unprofessional. The final straw was when Janet told our doctor not to prescribe desperately needed medications and then dragged her feet for at least six weeks. We needed a letter from her to help establish the kid’s need of a 504 plan and that too took forever. As soon as I got that letter I went straight to the desk and canceled all future appointments. My late father was a very well respected psychiatrist and I’ve seen how a good practice is supposed to function. This place isn’t that. DO NOT take your kids to Janet - in my opinion, she is smug, cold, and does not care about the well-being of her patients. One of my two kids literally never spoke to her during sessions. After three months she still didn’t trust her, and now that same kid won’t see someone (even tho she knows she needs help) because she is afraid of the new doctor being like Ms. Bauer. Stay away.

Keerun Ismail

My therapist Julia has made such a significant impact on my healing. She has helped me in humanizing my emotions to my trauma. Without judgment, she has brought to me self-awareness of how I can make positive changes to build upon my strengths. Seeking mental help has changed my life. A big thanks to Julia for supporting my in journey to healing.

Whitney Lockhart

I have been seeing Becky for 5 years now and have always been treated kindly and with respect. She is wonderful at listening while also providing feedback and giving me new tools to work through things. She has always been very down to earth and kept things real when helping with things I was struggling with. She is straight forward and empathetic.

My daughter started seeing Jenny Hayes at the age of 3 and she is a wonderful therapist! She has been very patient and is great at communicating between my daughter and I. Lots of fun techniques that she uses to help kids work through difficult things.

I will say that their billing method isn't the greatest and the only issues I have ever had with the Psychology Center came from their billing department. When I first started seeing therapists there I recieved some past due bills after three sessions, and had to go in and explain that there shouldn't be any bill at all due to the coverage of my insurance. I had them recheck my insurance and it got squared away. It was a stressful hassle, but there haven't been any other billing issues in the past 4 years.

Jess Stetz

Lea McIntosh is an amazing therapist! I've been seeing her regularly for over 2 years now and I'm always happy with our sessions. She is kind, listens well, easy to talk to and has helpful advice and resources. 5 stars for Lea! ★★★★★

I've seen Dan Goodnature once (before meeting Lea) but he gave bad advice for my OCD. I asked him if the advice he provided might make the problem worse and offered my reasoning why and then he agreed and told me not to follow that advice. He was very nice though so I'd give him 3 stars. ★★★

I would give Ronald May negative stars if possible. He was rude, arrogant, argumentative, unprofessional and unhelpful. He ended my couple's therapy session early after yelling at my boyfriend. -★

J C

Avoid this place. Scheduling is a nightmare, reception is rude and unhelpful, and their billing is out of control. I was told I would be paying $130 per visit and would have to pay up front due to having a high deductible plan. They even called me immediately after making the appointment to make sure I bring $130 with me for my visit. I then had my first appointment which half consisted of their financial rules. They basically will try and charge for as much as they can. So, whatever, I figure it’s fine as long as I get something out of it. Well, the second visit was basically a repeat of the first, plus she thought I could use some meds.

The therapists that everyone sees regularly, can’t prescribe meds, so they refer you to ANOTHER doctor in the same facility. So, I had my appointment and was prescribed some meds (that have not helped ).

I have now received a bill in the mail for another $300. This is on top of the $390 they made me pay at the time of appt. I called to understand this, and they said that’s normal and the agreement I signed states the appointments “depend on time”. However, ALL of their appointments are the same length.

This place is money hungry and have no desire to actually help you. Even if you don’t have insurance, they charge about $250 for each visit. You are better off going to a more respected doctor at a private practice, and pay less!

Tanya Olliphson

First appointment was okay...started off with Andrew explaining the monetary penalty for missing a payment without informing them...normally they charge if you cancel within 24 hours, but he said he wouldn't do that. "Nice guy." I thought.

Second appointment was a waste of time. All he did was re-ask the same questions from the first appointment. In the first appointment he suggested possibly referring me to get some meds but then in the second appointment he suddenly no longer felt that was a good idea- no explanation why.

Billing Practices: not once, at either appointment, did the receptionist ever ask for a copay. When they finally sent the first bill weeks later, it was stamped in red "FINAL NOTICE". --WTF There was no first notice and they never asked for money while I was in the office. A few weeks later I get another bill with the same red stamp.

Never going back and never recommending to anyone.

oh yeah, on my way out of the second appointment, the doc had so little interest in whether or not I would be coming back that I felt like he though I was wasting 'his' time.