Reviews of David J Fischer, MD (Columbia Center For Psychiatry) (Psychiatrist)

Salameh Nematt

I made an appointment by phone with Dr. Fischer last May after making a random search online and went to my first appointment on time. To my surprise, he had no receptionist or any staff at all. I had just recently moved to DC from Baltimore, MD and had to find another therapist in this city. After a brief conversation, Dr. Fischer informed me that he was going to charge me a $500 fee for consultation, which I agreed to, thinking DC psychiatrists must be more expensive than their Baltimore counterparts who charge $300 to $350 per one hour consultation/assessment. But this turned out not to be a one-time fee as I found to my shocks on my second visit when he charged me another $500, telling me this is how much he charges everybody rather than the $100 or $125 per appointment as is the case with most other therapists. He couldn’t care less that I was paying out of pocket as I have no insurance. Needless to say, i knew I wasn’t coming back to see him again. He did not even bother to pretend he cared about my condition or anything other than what I felt amounted to exploitation of a patient’s psychiatric condition for the sole reason of enriching himself without any justification. There was absolutely no value given to me from these two visits and I simply felt scammed.

nicole luterman

Dr. Fischer is great. He called me back to schedule an appointment on the day I called. He saw me two days later.He asked me questions that made me think about my issues in a new way. I see him every week in therapy. He evaluates my medication regularly to be sure it's helping me. We have worked on improving my relationship with my family as well as my progress at work. Both areas of my life are substantially better. I have suffered all my life from undiagnosed ADD. I have made significant improvement since seeing Dr. Fischer.

Vivian Deuschl

Dr Fischer is an outstanding therapist. He has helped me through a husband's serious illness, my job loss, a daughter's death, as well as loss of both parents. His approach is common sense and not psyco babble. Listening is his strength, and offering you options to deal with your personal issues makes any session over the past 12 years a time that has helped me to cope and think things through. Easy to talk with, a relaxed, soothing environment in his office. Highly recommend him.

Erika Zommer

I booked an appointment with Dr. Fischer for my wife on ZocDoc (awesome app btw). In his "Professional Statement" he claims the following "Although we are not in network with your insurance company, we make every effort to ensure you are covered. After we submit your claim, you will be billed for your balance once we receive insurance payment." My wife arrived to her appoint expecting an office staff and instead was confronted with a very rude (not just gruff and short tone of voice, but eye rolling when she brought up her insurance questions) Dr. Fischer. He then requested a 400$ exam fee upfront. Had he not been so rude and misleading he likely would have gotten the money he asked for, even though it was such an obscene amount for a consultation. She went to this physician looking for help and instead was given a hard time, belittled and lied to. Avoid this "physician" as all he is clearly interested in is taking care of is his wallet.