Emmanuel Olarinde, PhD

Dr Olarinde was recommended to me by a freind who was seeing him as well as her children. She raved so much about him I made an appointment. Im very familiar with the traditional more professional office settings and if that is what you are expecting. You will not make it past the first visit with Dr. O.
His receptionists are less than polish and probably this is their first job. His office is very dated and could use some remodeling and Dr. O is very laid back and relaxed, im thinking its his African background that may influence that. But Dr O is one of the best therapists I have worked with.
I was in hard times, teenage children drama, housing drama, employment issues, separation and divorce, health issues to name a few. I was not able to see or think clearly through everything that was happening. So when i came to my first visit i was completely thrown off. It was like I was learning all about Dr O. But I later appreciated it. I learned about his qualification and the techniques that he would be using in his sessions. I almost did not come back, but decided to give it another try. I am so happy i did. I absolutely look forward to my visit with Dr O. I have been able to work through so many of my issues and self reflect.
That was 3 years ago, Dr O is now my family therapist. My children now go see him and he has helped us tremendously. I highly recommend him, just dont expect posh or traditional from Dr O. But do expect great results.

2014 was a hell of a year! During a time when there were countless moving parts in my life, my mom and I were rebuilding our relationship that had at one point deteriorated to being non-​existant. AND we were rebuilding our relationship at the same time that she was fighting cancer. It was tough time, and I realized that I needed someone to talk to. This is where Dr. O stepped in. As he attentively listened to me spill the beans of my life, he was able to help me work through my own issues, so that I was better equip to work on the relationship with my mom. He helped me regain proper perspective, and realize what truly mattered most. Now, don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t easy, and I definitely had to put in the work! But once I began putting in the work, I immediately began to see change.
Over the course of a few months, my mom and I were able to tear down invisible walls that for years had only allowed us to get «so close,» and ultimately I was able to get to know my mom in ways that I had never known her before. For the first time in my adult life, she was not just my mom, she had become my BFF…
Around this time her cancer spread, and shortly after we had reached BFF status, she made her transition to heaven. Mere words cannot express how grateful I am that my mom and I had the opportunity to mend our relationship. I truly believe that Dr. O played a huge part in helping me to be the best ME that I could be, so I could be the best daughter and BFF to my mom when she needed me the most.
As for the holistic office experience:
As other Unilocalers mentioned, he does take a few minutes during the first session and tell you about himself and his credentials, which I felt was great to know, considering the nature of the relationship.
And yes, there were one or two areas that the office could’ve improved in. But those areas were so small in comparison to what I gained, that they weren’t even worth mentioning. I’m glad I decided to go with Dr. O. He is definitely one I’d highly recommend!

I’m not sure what the others experienced but Dr. O is honestly one of the best things that has happened to me. After shopping around for an effective and experienced therapist, I committed to Dr. Olarinde not only because I felt like he was the most qualified to address the challenges I wanted to discuss but also because he was legitimately concerned about my well-​being.
Yes, he shares his credentials with his patients on the first visit because, duh, it’s an interview for both parties– for the patient, is he qualified to help me with issues I want to address and for him he needs to assess whether he can help me with my issues. I personally do not see a problem with this assessment but for others I understand how this can be a challenge. Nonetheless, I have been working with Dr. O for several months now and both my family and friends have acknowledged the growth and maturity that has accompanied my sessions; this is a direct testament to his ability to hone in on my specific issues and push me to challenge my own conventional way of viewing the world.
In short, I think Dr. O is wonderful. So wonderful, in fact, that I have recommended him to a host of friends who have also become clients within the past few months. I highly recommend him as his techniques, experience, and personality have been instrumental in my growth.

Dr. Olarinde therapy has helped me tremendously. His guidance/​perspective has enabled me to make salient and empowering changes in my life. When I started my sessions with Dr. Olarinde I was in a very low point in my life. I am now beginning to take control and lead my life in a very empowering and constructive manner.
His office environment is non-​traditional as referenced by the other reviewers. If you can get past that, his therapy sessions are extremely effective.
I interviewed 10 therapist before selecting Dr. Olarinde. The other therapists I interviewed may have had a more «traditional office environment,» but they did not tell me anything about themselves or their method of treatment. I found all the other «traditional» therapist cold and distant, which creates a non-​conducive sharing environment.
Therapy is very personal. You want to know the person who you are sharing your deepest issues with as a human being. Dr. Olarinde is the only therapist that provided me that type of human comfort, which enabled me to share my deepest issues.
Dr. Olarinde is the best therapist if you can look past the peculiarities of his office, and accept the gift of his therapy.
Thanks to Dr. Olarinde, my life has improved for the better!

I only went to Dr. Olarinde once, and I am still deciding whether to go back. He was the strangest psychiatrist I’ve ever been to, but he was also very nice, so I want to be open-​minded about it.
Like the other reviewers said, he spent half of our first session telling me about his educational background. Then he spent the other half talking vaguely about the type of therapy he will be doing. He said the actual therapy begins on the second session – but he still charged me for the first session. And, like the other reviewers said, his office is weird. It’s messy-​looking and seems unprofessional.
But, on the plus side, he was very calming, and I left his office in the best mood I’ve ever left a therapist or psychiatrist office in.

I agree, he is the worst! Had an appointment at 5:00, confirmed the appointment found babysitting and paid for parking. All for him to say he didn’t have me down and «sometimes stuff like this just happens cause someone else makes his appointments». Very arrogant and talking to other clinicians indicates that this is characteristic as opposed to situational. I would recommend a self help book over him!

This has got to be the worst doctor’s office in the DC area.
First off, when we made our appointment, we spoke with his receptionist «Shantrel» over the phone and she told us that the doctor could do the tests that we needed asap.
So we go and met with him. For the first 5 – 8 minutes he goes off telling us about his educational background, from undergrad up. We really don’t give a hoot.
Then we asked him about the tests and what we need since he already has the pre-​eval emailed to him a week ago (which he never responded!). And he said, «No. I can’t do that.» Just like that. Then when it came to insurance and getting paid — he wanted to make sure that he’s getting paid 110%. He was after his own gains and couldn’t care less about his patients. We left after 30 minutes of debating with him. He’s very arrogant and selfish. No person who needs psychological tests or eval or help whatsoever should ever, EVER see this man. His license and rinky-​dink little office should be taken away. Plus his reception lied to us on our way out. She said that we didn’t speak with her. And that it was «May», the other receptionist. Really? We don’t confuse Shantrel with May. She needs mental help too.

I had an appointment with him scheduled for 2pm. I show up at the office and it was completely empty. The door was unlocked, but there was nobody. I double checked my time, where I was — everything. I even called the office phone from the waiting room (very awkward). I left a handwritten note and a voicemail.
No way will I go back there.
How can I talk to someone who doesn’t even keep their appointments? I am supposed to be able to trust them?
I am reporting him to my insurance company and just letting them know what happened. I am sure if he gathers enough complaints… maybe something would happen?
Also, nobody called me back to explain WHY this happened.

I was terribly unimpressed by Dr. Olarinde. Everything about his office screamed unprofessional, from the receptionist to his sales pitch about his qualifications. He asked me to bring him additional information to submit to the insurance company before he made a second appointment, and even though I sent it (and followed up multiple times) he never called me back for the appointment. The experience was worse than an awkward blind date.
He’s so dumped.