Reviews of Shore Behavioral Medicine (Psychiatrist)

Rosemary Headley

This Dr is Amazing. He listens to everything and I recomend him wholeheartedly to anyone who wants to be CLEAN OFF DRUGS FOR LIFE.HES THE BEST!

chrisopher bergin

I met Dr. Russ shortly after my father's suicide and years of abusing pain medication and opiates after an injury in Iraq. He literally saved my life, has been very professional and honest, and never judged or gave up on me after two short relapses. I have been clean from opiates for 2 years now thanks to Dr. Russ. He has helped me maintain a positive life, and has gone way beyond the call of duty. By the work we have done together, I no longer have to deal with the insanity of the VA hospital, and he has been more vital to my future because for the first time ever I have found a Psychiatrist that I have complete trust in. By far the best doctor I've ever worked with and continue to make strides.

Sarah Halls

Hi this is the real Sarah hala, that past review from "me" is a fake. Someone used my picture and wrote lies. Dr. Firstandig is one of the best psychiatrists in ocean county. He listens to you and helps you thru all your life issues. He actually cares about his patients and wants to make a difference.

Keith

Dr. Ferstandig went above and beyond to make sure what I needed was done. He is very friendly and knowledgeable. I don’t like going to doctors but Dr. Ferstandig has a comfortable atmosphere and he will actually listen to what you have to say. I highly recommend him.

Evan Ruth

Doesn't accept insurance? Really?!

Jennifer Riccardo- Comello

I haven't even been there yet this week. BUT AFTER CALLING A ZILLION DR'S HIS OFFICE WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT CARED AND WAS NICE.

Joe Smith

He's a great doctor who listens to you and prescribes what's needed I trust Dr furstandig with my life

Amanda Aquila

Just met with the doctor Ferstandig last week! After spending much time trying to find someone who cared, could accept new patients and fit me into their schedule in a timely man he was the answer to my prayers He is a great listener and knows what medication works. My experience with him has greatly helped me with answers I needed. Looking forward to my next appointment with him!

Just Me

I've been seeing psychiatrists since I was 11. He actually spent a couple hours with me my initial visit for my intake. He gave me the biggest relief of my life realizing that I dont have borderline personality disorder. He is very knowledgeable about the types of generic medications. He is the 1st psychiatrist I've seen that could see right through me he knew I was on the verge of doing something drastic and has helped me so much with just one visit. He doesn't just talk to you for 10 minutes diagnose you with something just by your body language and your facial expressions he does a full evaluation. He adjusted my medications and I'm already starting to feel better. To me it's worth it paying cash because you're getting a therapist and a psychiatrist all in one it's not just in-and-out. I have a slew of substance abuse and mental disorders that have affected my life, my family, my friendships, and anything else that you can imagine. My anxiety is so bad to the point where I would sweat profusely and that wouldn't embarrass me and make me feel worse and now I no longer have to deal with that. Thank you From the bottom of my heart.

ryan donnelly

Dr. Ferstandig is a man of integrity. To me there isn't a better compliment you can give man. On my FIRST APPOINTMENT for general psychiatry for stress and feeling completely overwhlmed, I missed my appointment not once but twice. These were due to extenuating circumstances. I had been battling with serious psychiatric breakdown and I did not use drugs. You looked at me standing in his office, completely vulnerable and said, come inside for two minutes so we can work this out. He asked me straight out if I was on drugs to which I no sir. I told him quickly about the streses of being a husband, father, having two small children, sole provider as well as owning a company that i growing by the second and all the weight on me was about to cause me to break. He asked if I cold come back at 7p that evening. Ofcourse I said yes. I came back that evening ant that gentlemen cares about your well-being. He ended up taking with me will 11pm. 4 Hours. You want to know why? Because is a true healer. I very well could have saved my life that night and I could not say a better thing about the man. He's genuine. Thanks for the continued help Dr. Russ. ----- Ryan Donnelly

Meredith Fisher

What a creep, don't go here.

Andrew Daniszewski

Very rude on the phone

Jess Makl

("Rough, tough, and direct".) Dr. Russell Ferstandig of Shore Behavioral Medicine delivers an unique, distinct, diligent one of a kind, hands on approach to treating his patients. Dr. Russ- unlike, seemingly 90% of the medical community, both psychiatric and medical in treating many who suffer from chronic pain. (Pain Management) And the Suboxone maintenance program. Unlike the mass majority of physicians who make up these various fields. He seems to have a stake in his work of helping people to help themselves! He seems to carefully listen, and he always treats each one of his patients as an individual, which is the only efficient and appropriate method in anyone of these medical fields, in which- DR. Russ practices medicine effectively and successfully with experience and wit, passionately in every scope of medical practice mentioned above. Russ is a MD, who practices medicine-relentlessly striving to control and manage pain as a non-narcotic pain management Doctor-who is also a psychologist and psychiatrist, who brings a certain methodology that stands alone and speaks for itself. Furthermore the good doctor is well-versed in helping addict's with a success rate that is extravagant and certainly raises attention to his devotion and passion. I've grown a tremendous deal since under his care and would be delighted to further my treatment as long as Dr. Russ is a practicing physician. Thank you Dr. Russell Ferstandig! With all my mind and soul, Jess Makl, JR

Janelle Duffy

best doctor ever

Christina Crevar

By far, one of the most inadequate, unprofessional and incapable offices (of any kind, not just medical) that I have ever had the misfortune of encountering. Dr. Ferstandig is many things (too much to post)- but most importantly aloof, definitely has some sort of attention deficit disorder because he pops around from subject to subject with no instigation. Routinely forgets what medications his patients’ are on. Doesn’t remember diagnoses. Reports inadequate medical history data in medical history reports for other doctors- who are shocked at his “adolescent” notes. Worst of all, his secretary is a redneck with rocks for brains- rude, uneducated, unintelligent, seems like a simple phone call to the office throws her just about over the edge- constant excuses for everything, threatening and unprofessional emails to patients, and doesn’t respond to any NJ State Authority/Lawyer requests. Awful, awful experience with this business. There’s a reason they don’t except insurance, prescribe any medication up the wazoo and the doc can only fill orders month to month. Very sketchy business.

Jamie Ray

Dr Russ is awesome , highly recommended! Judy is absolutely amazing ! She is the best very organized , very understanding , caring and kind and that's just a few of her many attributes! Love them ! Jamie Lynn

S Zabri

If you do his program the way he tells you it will save your life. I was addicted to pain meds that I was taking for 8 years after two back surgeries. I don’t know where I would be if I did not find him. Going to him saved my family, job and my life.

Kristin Fawcett

The receptionist Tracey is extremely rude and would fly off the handle. She was ans is completely unprofessional and its ashame because before this I only had positive reviews.

Emily Chapman

Dr. Russ is an unprofessional doctor who refuses to take insurance because he is scared of a third party flagging his excessive prescriptions. My older sister has suffered with drug addiction for many years. After a drug overdose few years ago she was told she has a weak heart and should not take any form of drug after this. She also experiences issues with kidney disease, mental illness and depression prior to being on this medication. Dr. Russ prescribed my sister amphetamine. If payed attention to closely everything listed earlier are ALL reasons she should NOT be prescribed this medication. This medication can cause sudden death to a patient with heart issues. NOT ONLY is she prescribed a dangerous medication, she is prescribed THREE TIMES the daily dosage. The doctor OBVIOUSLY performed no tests on her before prescribing these pills to her vulnerable self. She went there seeking direction on how to stay off heroine and he pushed a new drug addiction upon her. The medication recently has caught up with her. She began to have unreasonable thoughts, overreacting, and having psychotic episodes. It was obvious she was experiencing a drug psychosis. She was seeing, hearing, and experiencing situations that did not exist. She became aggressive and dangerous from these delusions, hallucinations and assumptions made in her own head. She refuses to seek help because being an ex drug addict she does not see the issues she is experiencing. My family has done absolutely everything they can to help her; rather than responding correctly and mindful she has completely withdrawn herself from us. This is a dangerous and scary situation that has completely ruined a family. Dr. Russ IS NOT here to help. He is here to make money off of vulnerable souls. My sisters experience with him has almost completely took her soul and has destroyed our family. Dr. russ is not a professional, he is sketchy and only out for himself. DO NOT let him do this to you or anyone you love; you could save a life.

Jr

Excellent Dr. He got me back on track with my whole life dr russ is a life saver and every session is at least 30 mins and he remembers everything and always is helping you find new ways to think positive.And all new staff is amaizing.

Amalia Trengrove

I have been on psych meds my entire adult life. I know a thing or two about psychiatrists. I have had good ones, and bad ones.. but never great ones. I am telling you, this man is absolutely wholeheartedly a great doctor. I saw someone make a comment about this dr getting people addicted to medications? I don't go to him for substance abuse, so I don't know how that goes.. but one thing I do know is that when I go to a psychiatrist I expect to be leaving with medication. Then, I do some googling and ask my pharmacist if I have questions that arise after my doc visit. He isn't a psychologist. He isn't going to be able to fix your life with weekly talk sessions. He is there to perscribe medication to people who need it. If you have a drug problem and don't want to take anything, go to a rehab. The word on the street is that this man is brilliant when it comes to substance abuse as well. It's really hard to see into someone's brain, and tell what type of medications they will need. If you tell him you have really bad depression, he can choose from A wide variety of medication but it doesn't mean that you will respond to the medication the same way the person who was in before you would. It just really grinds my gears that anyone would dare to criticize a doctor for prescribing them medication. If you are against that type, or don't feel comfortable taking it, then don't! He is a psychiatrist, and substance abuse doctor. Trust me I have seen enough to know when I see a good one. I was very reluctant to switch because I actually didn't think there were any good doctors left in the area. Currently I'm paying oop, and hopefully will be reimbursed but this doctor is worth every penny.

dre F

Very expensive

Jylian Cooper

I was a patient of Dr Russ between July 2013 - Sept 9 2015. Prior to seeing Dr Russ, I was a patient of another Dr, who would spend a few minutes with me, and prescribe me 2mg suboxone twice a day. I wanted to come off the Suboxone, but my Dr at that time, wasn't reducing my meds, after 2 years of going to him and paying 150 dollars a month to see him. I decided to find a different Dr who would help me wean off of the suboxone. That is when I found Dr Russ. I told him about my experience with my old Dr, who he knew, and Dr Russ told me he would have me off of the suboxone within 3 months. I thought that I finally found a Dr who cares about his patients. I trusted him and followed his plan for me, thinking that he is the Dr and knows what he is doing. I was WRONG. July 2013 I was on 2 mg subs twice a day. By 2015, I was on 8 mg suboxone twice a day and 2mg xanax 3 times a day! Not only did he not lower my dose, he highered it, and added a toxic level of xanax to the mix. I'm not a Dr, but I'm pretty sure that prescribing xanax to an addict is not the smartest thing to do. Also, I've read on many sites that prescribing xanax and suboxone at the same time, can cause death. Also, by law you have to check your patients liver enzymes when on suboxone, which he never did, and I ended up in the hospital for 3 days due to stroke like symptoms. That was the last time I have seen or spoken to him. He does not care about his patients. He cares about the money, and he is a "recovering addict" who knows just what to say to manipulate his patients. He gets them even more addicted to meds, so you keep coming back to him. 250 dollars a month for a half hr, and 450 dollars for an hour, is insane! I don't know why he got his medical license back, after losing it 3 times. I thought he was the answer I was looking for. Instead, he was the worst thing to happen to me. He is an awful man who should be in jail. If he really cared about his patients, he wouldn't higher their doses and add more addictive meds to the mix. Please do your research on this guy before going to him! It could save your life!

Damian Albanese

I only saw Dr. Russ for a short time but he was a great doctor, one who has been through it all and knows pretty much everything. He is not the HOLIER than though kind of doctors who speak down to you. He is empathetic and takes his time. Check him out.

melissa kunder

Greatest thing I ever did was call him. I kept failing not understanding why. He knew why before I said why. I already recommended him to someone who's lost . I know he'll help her like helped me .

Chris Thomas

With out this dynamic duo, Dr.Russ and Judy I truly don't know where I would be today. Dr Russ without a doubt is the best, caring, compassionate, and understanding doctor and man I've ever met. He doesn't hear you but rather listens to you, and gives not only professional advice and insight but his own personal experiences which creates a bond that people seek and few find in a doctor. Judy is like the loving, caring, mother figure who will at anytime turn into the ferocious lioness of her Pride! She goes above and beyond and you can truly see she will not stand for anything less then her clients being treated with care, respect, and without prejudice from anyone! She truly is probably the busiest woman on Earth and handles it with the utmost professionality but do not mess with her Cubs! Love these guys!! A nd for those who speak negatively towards this man, I guarantee.. you are one of of those people who never intended on following the doctors Orders and terms of his program which has been nothing less than a success for me thus far, a little more than a year, and because YOU made the decision to abuse and or sell any medication you were prescribed to be used as directed, but instead probably got arrested and now it's finger-pointing time... Dr.Fernstandig has been nothing short of life support for myself. Stop living like ur in active addiction and get some help.. But do it elsewhere!!! Instead of trying to Tarnish a good mans name!

Jesse Makl

A physician with immense experience and skills who has passion in what he does. He sees each of his patients as an individual as what one may expect is the norm, I'm afraid it's quite the differ. Most physicians jam all of their patients into one category, this isn't professional nor reasonable or helpful to the end game here. Psychiatry: establishing a treatment plan that is fitting to the emotional needs of the particular patient that is being treated. (Always comes to finding a balance.) Pain management: an unfortunate situation has occurred; the DEA has such power, influence and control illegally. They have the vast majority of Doctors absolutely terrified to write a prescription that doesnt jive with their ideals. Which many controlled substances are needed in both these fields psychiatry and pain management. They work very well, sometimes when something does great at enacting a particular alteration of consciousness that is desirable, yet in such cases of chronic pain and debilitating mental illnesses. They've been absolutely necessary though as in all cases if something beautiful, the ultimate mass of people make it ugly!! People come to misuse or even abuse them, Unfortunately fir those who follow the directives of the Doctor-many controlled substances, once used exactly as it ought to be according to your body, will successful treat the pain and or illnesses. Managing these identified ailments is the key. "The Perfect drug." perhaps has not surfaced because the DEA doesn't give the pharmaceutical companies and doctors rooms to breathe. Doctors like Russ are faced with a problem that is the fundamental question: who is truly in pain-where it effects them to the degree of impacting every spectrum of their life, same goes for the conditions we come to coin as mental illnesses. Dr. Russ is truly a doctor of vast wisdom, not just knowledge. Being treated by Dr. Russ I can stand here and exclaim he has completely turned my life around. Yes I still struggle may always be. But not nearly even close to before becoming his patient. Pain-when chronic and degenerative is always going to be a issue of concern to manage, the idea is as many say: obtaining and maintaining a quality of life better then your previous predicament. As so long as I can, I will continue posting the interpretation I have of the landscape of Shore behavioral and addiction medicine-ect. Thank you Dr. Russ, I will do anything I can to bring Light to your distinct and unique approach to medicine, where your undeniable vast intelligence and compassion shines through. Any doctor risking all that Dr. Russ is and with the successful results to show for it in his patients. A true Psychologist/Psychiatrist/Life coach/ Pain management specialist/ Addiction's specialist and so much more.. who even revolutionized the understanding of the drug Suboxone/Subutex. I appreciate you and I don't know what I would of done or would do without you. Yours truly, Jesse J. Makl, Jr

alyssa fro

been going to dr. russ for over 2 years. he is an upstanding doctor and is knowledgable in his profession. he genuinely cares about his patients wellbeing.

Tori Corless

If I could manage my time and appointments befter, I wouldnt be googling my doctors phone number and getting sidetracked by posting a review; Dr. Russ earned my respect when I was still in highschool. He always wears an aura of being the smartest guy in any room. He lets me see my life for what it is; A magnet for dysfunction, abuse and atypical parenting styles. He's not afraid of telling you his opinion. This is a blessing, and you truly need to listen, because he's usually, eerily correct.

rhonda zarro

Dr. Ferstandig helped me tremendously with my anxiety,that would leave me crippled at times, unable to leave the house. I've was living with this awful disorder for 9 years, and saw multiple doctors who just wrote Rx's which sometimes made my condition worse. During my first visit, Dr. Ferstandig helped me understand anxiety, what was potentially causing it, and finally received treatment that has been

Genny DePalma

UPDATE BEEN SEEING HIM NOW FOR 3 MONTHS HE IS AMAZING HE IS VERY BUSY AND WILL MAKE TIME WHEN HE DOESN'T HAVE TIME MOST DOCS DONT DO THAT. HE CARES WHEN HE SEES ME SHAKING IN HIS OFFICE AND TALKS TO ME FOR 2 HOURS YET CHARGES ME THE THE REGULAR FEE. YES , WE STILL GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER AND HAD MADE ME FEEL I AM NOT AS WORTHLESS AS I THOUGHT JENNIFER ANNE R.