Neustart Psychiatry And Tms - Portland's Online Review Report Card

My experience with NeuStart was awkward from the beginning and didn’t improve over two interactions. It ended up badly and even insulting. Initially I needed to fill out multiple forms, which seemed logical, but then was asked to give consents for them to contact all current and previous medical providers. Positively dunned for those, insisting on them, specifying exactly how to fill them out, requiring them before doing anything else… and I’m not sure exactly why, because after a month of them having the information at least two of the three providers hadn’t been contacted (I checked). Not sure on the other. The first appointment seemed off. First, it was a virtual appointment to Salem when I live 4 blocks from the Portland office. I’d not recommend going to a psychiatrist who you have never met in person. The relationship that needs to be established cannot be made virtually. That said, I did accept it, despite misgivings. In the first virtual appointment there was a “scribe” required to be accepted. A person never seen. Who never talked. Who was just there to??? It was creepy and later revealed as pointless. It distracted from open communication with the provider. Every other psychiatrist I’ve seen has managed to take an appointment without a scribe. The first appointment was a bit disjointed (practice counting down from 100 by 7s if you decide to use them!) but seemed as though it was getting somewhere. At the end of the meeting the provider indicated there might be a CNS issue and they would follow up with their colleagues to come back to the next meeting with medication suggestions. That did not happen. At the second appointment it was like starting all over. They had not consulted with their peers on medications. They didn’t have the labs they’d requested I send, even though I sent a set from November and a new set from February (to the scribe, so that scheme doesn’t seem to work?) The supposed CNS issue wasn’t even mentioned.

They didn’t remember the main concerns expressed in the previous appointment, which is inexplicable given the ‘scribe’ who should have at least provided useful cliff notes. Then there was an extended time of dithering and watching someone peruse perhaps wikipedia to determine some medication to prescribe, coming back with suggestions of pharmaceutical products that do not treat the issues I was presenting and discussed as previously tried and ineffective. The one suggestion they did come with was that I change my LCSW, which was completely unsolicited and unjustified. I assume that had I taken that suggestion they’d have tried to steer me to a provider in their practice for more business. Their billing is really aggressive. They take payment before the appointment which is annoying. My LCSW doesn’t do that. The really aggressive bit came when my insurance paid out their portion and informed NeuStart of my copay. They immediately sent an extremely rudely worded message saying they would be billing my card to “resolve” the bill. “Resolve” is for a bill overdue months not for a copay of a patient who had paid everything even before it was due. Where trust is already strained by virtual appointments and unfulfilled commitments, the text message about billing really cemented this business as being one to which I would not return.

Fantastic treatment. Understanding and compassionate

If you've come across Neustart Psychiatry, take a breath of relief because you're going to be taken care of by some of the most wonderful providers out there. From the doctors to the owners to the scribes, my family and I have been treated so well since we first started services in March of 2023. For almost a year, Dr. Bethany Jensen "Dr. B" has listened to me, treated me with respect, validated my concerns, and given me a treatment plan that has changed my life for the better. She started with diagnosing my daughter after not many had listened to me for several years about her diagnoses. Dr. B referred us to Dr. Sara Christman, PhD at Neustart as well who promptly evaluated my daughter who requires a high level of support in daily life. Thank you Dr. B, Dr. Christman, Rex (scribe), Mike (Dr. Christman scribe), Frances (owner), and all of the other amazing people with Neustart who have changed the lives of each of us in my family. Months after meeting Dr. B, my husband was able to meet Ray Nava and Mark (scribe) who have been receptive, kind, caring, and consistent. Ray has my husband on a great treatment plan that has increased his (and my) quality of life. The steps that the providers take at Neustart are very thoughtful, appropriate, and safe. I've never felt under or over treated by my providers. If you are able to have your neurodivergent or otherwise needing eval child or adult evaluated by Dr. Christman, consider yourself in the best hands out there. Her diagnostic tools are thorough and the report is the most detailed and helpful that many providers have ever seen. Remember, most of the people who write reviews have something negative to say, so there are many of us that love our experience with Neustart that hadn't thought of putting a review out there yet. I'm glad I had time today because if my review helps even one other mom, dad, human being make the choice to get care with these wonderful humans then writing this review was time well spent. I will add that the billing and insurance processes have been very smooth even with changing insurance a few times in just this year. The staff who work in billing are extremely competent and I've had a pleasant experience when it comes to the business side of things with Neustart as well.

I should’ve written this a long time ago, but I’m only recently getting back on my feet from a terrifying mental health crisis and it’s always difficult to find the right words. Thankfully, before I was too far gone, and with the help of my spouse, I was able to seek out a psychological evaluation. The short version is that I want Dr. Christman to get the praise she absolutely deserves. I was amazed at her ability to understand me having just met me as I struggled to find the words to tell her my story. She handled my overwhelming nervousness with genuine compassion and endless patience. She communicated with me in a way I felt comfortable. The way Dr. Christman could anticipate my feelings in situations kept me thinking, “How does she know me so well?”. Being over 40 and finally with an accurate diagnosis, I’ve since joined support groups and finally feel I belong to a community who understands my struggles/limitations. I hear from others in group about their bad experiences in the diagnosis process, which makes me even more grateful that getting my diagnosis was quite the opposite experience. Commenting on the process itself and having to wait for the actual evaluation appointment is completely understandable given the complexity of what occurs during the evaluation. This service, I believe, shouldn’t be rushed and being thorough takes time. As for cost, it’s not cheap, but luck was on my side and I received reimbursement through my HRA. (Thank you to my co-worker that told me about this account I never knew I had). Thank you Dr. Christman for your kindness. You truly helped me in a way no one has before and I’ll always be grateful.

I have been seeing Dr. Edmonds, and have had a great experience so far. She has been good to work with, attentive to my needs, and I think she respects my opinions and efforts as we work on...well, me.

I have been seeing Dr Vickers now for almost 2 years. It has been a wonderful experience I feel like she really listens to me and my needs and provides personalized care. She has been very helpful and understanding with recent medication shortages and helping me find alternatives. I have had a wonderful experience with scheduling and interactions with the other doctors in the practice. I have recommended them to both friends and family.

The psychiatric professionals that I've worked with here have always been great. Only the most upstanding, ethical, quality care has ever been my experience with Neustart!

Just called to cancel my TMS evaluation appointment (confirmed last week), and they didn't have any record of an appointment. Even after someone called to get my credit card number so they can bill for the upcoming appointment. I'm glad I reached out to another TMS provider beforehand so I can continue to seek care. Can't imagine how I'd be feeling if this was my only option for treatment, and they ghosted me on an appointment.

Looking for medication management and/or TMS (a treatment for depression along with other behavioral health issues)? Neustart Psychiatry is a great option! The staff are all very kind and competent. The TMS tech Jay is personable, proficient, and compassionate. And props to prescriber Schuyler Ellis who is an amazing clinician. He truly cares about his clients and the work he does. Their downtown location is quite nice and it's great they have patient parking. I really can't say anything bad about Neustart...

There is a reason why NEUSTART has really low rating. Do not ever go to this place what a scam they just want your money. They don't care about your health just about money. Run run run from this place. I would rather watch YouTube video then go to this place. I am goiyto turn them in to the state of Oregon. my therapist Tallon Lamoreaux is a joke and clueless. Really thinks he is a doctor and far from it. Just stay away from this place it's really really really really really really bad. They don't deserve any stars.