Palisades Behavioral Care

A medication mill. Don’t come here if you care about the health of your mind, body, or wallet.
Psychs can have a very long wait for new patients so I appreciated that I could schedule easily via ZocDoc. Dr. Kurien is polite but but dismissive. That’s about all I can say that’s any kind of polite.
Maria at the front desk is condescending and is quick to scheule another visit but acts annoyed when you ask for a reciept for your cash transaction. Intake is minimal, there’s no attempt to corroborate diagnosis, and they’re quick to medicate. You have to sign a form saying he explained the side effects even though he really didn’t. I had a very bad reaction to the medication (partly because he made no attempt to partner with my other provider) and for 4 months was told «you’re just adjusting, you’ll get used to it, that’s normal». After feeling like I was hit by a truck for months he switched the meds but forgot to tell me that I need to titer off one before starting the next. Cue epic withdrawal — ice pick headaches, insomnia, stomach pain. I got better advice from the pharmacist at CVS than I did with this dude.
I timed my last appointment :2 minutes, 36 seconds, inclusing climbing and descending the stairs. With my co-​pay plus what he billed out to my insurance, that’s $ 102 a minute. What a racket.

I’ve been to this doctors office 4 times now and today will be my last. You would think a place that is supposed to help your mental health wouldn’t let you leave feeling worse than when you walked in. The girl at the front desk asked me if I had my copay in cash which I never have a problem with before but today I didn’t get a chance to visit the ATM prior to my appointment. I told her I would need to go to an ATM and withdraw the money and she told me to go outside and get it now. She didn’t ask me she TOLD me. I’m not a child I’m an adult and a patient I should not have to feel like I’m being bossed around which I did. They basically make you feel like all they care about is the money not the patient. She asked me repeatedly if I was going to the ATM to get the money. I said I would once I was done finishing the paperwork. I don’t have a balance on my account I always pay when I visit I don’t understand why she felt the need to bully me
into going to the ATM RIGHT NOW. Most doctors offices will mail the bill.
As if that wasn’t enough, Dr. Abby Kurien also was rude to me as well. I had the impression they had the documents I needed to return to work and was there to have them filled out. Turns out my employer only faxed over a single document. Dr. Kurien told me I needed to, «Get my stuff together and be more prepared.» Another staff member treating me like a child not a patient. I don’t understand how the office staff and the doctor think it’s acceptable to treat their patients like this. They all suffer from a superiority complex. Never returning here again.

Pros: Dr Kurien is nice — nicer than most psychiatrists. They have a parking lot.
Cons: Cash only, no cards.
I thought the receptionists were fine. I called once asking for a later appt time (the next slot after mine) and was told it wasn’t available. I rushed there and was told that the NEXT time slot he had was available. So that wasn’t the most helpful interaction but it’s par for the course when dealing with people. You have to ask different questions and the same? in different ways to get the right answer.

Receptionist has terrible attitude, don’t understand how they have someone with such a nasty attitude; not only answering phones but managing the office.

I don’t get all the hate for the receptionists. I’ve been going here for about six years and the receptionists act like … receptionists. They are polite and businesslike. I don’t know what everyone is expecting them to do besides make and confirm appointments, collect co-​pays, process insurance claims and all that, but they seem to do their jobs just fine to me. Every Doctor I’ve had here has been very nice too.
The thing I like most about PBC is that appointments are on time. If your appointment is for 1:30, that’s just about the time you will be called in.
The thing I like the least is that they don’t accept debit or credit cards. I always have to remember to bring enough cash with me when I go.

I have been seeing Dr. Cunningham for a little over a year and he is the best! I saw him at both the Jersey City location and West Orange location.
Also in regards to what others are saying about the receptionists at both locations, I have actually had no problems. The Jersey City location isn’t nearly as friendly but I have never been treated badly. The West Orange receptionists are awesome and engage me in conversation every time. Also they have gone out of their way to help me.
The only reason I would not give them 5 stars is because of the other doctor in Jersey City. I was seeing him for a while and had a horrible experience. I had just gotten surgery and was more anxious than normal. I felt like my normal meds weren’t working and I was petrified. I called him out of desperation to ask him about the way I was feeling. He told me he would prescribe me a different medicine, but I still had questions for him. He basically said «I don’t have time for this do you want me to send the prescription or not?» I was absolutely shocked. Now I go out of my way to see Dr. Cunningham because he is awesome and would never speak to a patient like that.

Office policies stink in West Orange too. Vicky has a poor customer service skills and is unable to relay information in an effective manner. Turns out the office will ignore any form of communication except a phone call as Vicky just told me.(she was aware my pharm had reached out by fax but did not act on it) So when my pharmacy FAXed them to have Dr Kurani obtain prior approval from my ins co they ignored it. She only told me that the Pharmacy reached out after I waited a week and then called their office. Thanks for the care and effort but pay on time and no Credit cards. Sad as Dr. Kurani is a good guy in person but all offices are the responsibility of the Doctors, it is their business.

I give it two because of Brenda. She’s completely amazing but I can’t help but wish she weren’t at this place. The receptionist aren’t very warm at all and some have major ‘tudes. Also, my psychiatrist is as cold as ice. She just types in her computer, no emotion and it seems like she isn’t even listening when I have a concern. I’m staying for my psychologist otherwise, I’d leave and never look back.

As with previous reviewer, the problems are with the lax, lazy, and «can’t be bothered» attitude from the front desk receptionists.
Appointments are weeks and week out from when you call.
Leaving messages for the doctors will not result in a return phone call or contact so you have to keep calling them.

The one star is for the service received at the front desk. The receptionist is extremely rude and has no people skills at all. This is a psychiatrist office and patients should be treated professionally and with kid gloves. She is rude, uncaring, and rough. If you run out of meds she doesn’t care and just tells you the next appointment is in 3 weeks. So, you have to go unmedicated for weeks? They constantly run your insurance information incorrectly and when it is pointed out they give you a big attitude as if it were your fault. The doctor’s at this practice are OK and would get 3 stars, but I would not recommend this office because they only see the patient as dollar signs.