Reviews of Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute (Psychologist)

Emily Jarvis

The Doctors are good, but it is not worth the trouble of dealing with the main office and their policies. The only way you can cancel an appointment less than 24 hours in advance is if you personally are admitted to the hospital and have records to prove it. Be aware that even when you do cancel or reschedule your appointments well in advance (mine way 1 week in advance) they still charged my as if I missed my appointment completely. It took me 3 months to get it straightened out. 3 months for their mistake! Not to mention the time I showed up for an appointment where they never told the Doctor I was there, so I wasted my time and had to come in again with no compensation to me. If i miss a session or do not call exactly 24 hours in advance to reschedule, I get charged $78, but if they make me come in and wait for half an hour for an appointment that never happens, they just say "Oops, we're sorry," and move on. Please, all save yourself the trouble! There must be much better facilities than this in St. Louis.

Mindy Mallow

Do NOT go here for therapy! I took my son and they completely overcharged me for only 2 visits when we had already met our deductible. The doctor just wasted our time and was unprofessional. Plus the building is so old and creepy it just needs to be torn down! There's not even any windows!

Sarah Watkins

Dr Gunderson is trash.

Tammy Rosenthal

I agree with everyone else ... all they care about is the money. My kids have been seeing the same doctor for 4 years. My son hurt his foot and my daughter called and said she would be taking his appointment. The doctor said that he was going to bill our insurance company, bill me for the copay AND BILL MY SON $78.00 FOR A MISSED APPOINTMENT. (for the same hour). They tell you what you want to hear - -- and then take your money. Don't go here. Find someone else who cares about the patients.

Karin Duffy

I've had a very positive experience at STLBMI. It's a shame that the reviews are so low because of their policies. They make the cancellation notices very clear and I've never had a doctors office or even hotel stay that didn't come with a similar standard. I've worked with Gina and Maiya. They are both absolutely wonderful and have helped me so much. The office staff is great as well.

Brendan Cronley

I was charged a missed appointment fee after I missed n appointment that I received no reminder about. My therapist signed me up for group sessions without my knowledge, and he didn't even seem like he knew what he was doing. The police memorabilia in his office made me very uncomfortable to discuss anything with him

Remi A

Went to my Psychiatrist appt that was a referral. Dr. Gunderson. I had my 10 page packet filled out, did my intake ahead of time. I arrived 45 min early. This appt was very important since there is a month and half wait, am off my meds needing new prescription and feeling like hell. As I was checking in the Dr came out. His office was not more than 15 ft. away. Door open. The clerk than tells me that I needed to pay up front. This was never told when it was set up and I had asked them to chk my insurance. I immediately start crying because I don't have the $ and knew I wouldn't get in anytime soon again. I asked, please bill me...clerk got someone else. She said no too. I even asked cant i talk to Dr. just 5 min. I was told no. I'm 15 ft away from the Dr's office crying and pleading. Dr. Didn't even come out. I told them my situation. And Dr had my papers reporting I have severe depression and off meds. It had to look clear that I needed help. I was a mess. I can't believe the Dr just let me leave. Can't believe the treatment from a Mental Health Institute!

CN White

The doctors are alright, but the staff and institutional policies are ridiculous. They enforce really high late fees regardless of your circumstances, even if you're slightly late and have a legitimate reason to be late. It seems counter-intuitive that an institute dedicated to helping people get through difficult times would be so rigid in their late policies. Additionally, the staff is extremely condescending and sometimes rude.

Heather Ervin

My first appointment went well, but I haven't been back since. Why? Because they cancelled all of my appointments, some without telling me. The receptionist told me that the therapist wanted to do group therapy during my scheduled appointment times, so they had to move mine. I was called about ONE appointment, which we rescheduled. That appointment was also cancelled WITHOUT me knowing. The receptionist said she'd call me back to figure out better times for my appointments, but she never did. My therapist recommended that I go once per week, but my appointments were cancelled and now she's booked up for a long time. I'm so irritated.

Jeff Peppers

Let it be said that there are qualified people working here, but the bottom line is for them make money even at the disservice of the client. In the mental health field this is shameful and a poor practice. So remember, don't run late even a few minutes or there will be a fee beyond the price of your appointment as well as forfeiting the appointment. I'd thought this may be waived a first time, given that I'd come in early for my previous appointments (sometimes with the office in delay)(And I've never demanded a refund for the loss of my time) Yes, it is in the agreement and I was at fault, but I will not be going back here. Don't make the same mistake that I made, find another business with better policies more of a humanist approach.

Rachel Adams

I love the staff at the front desk as well as the Dr. Timmerman. I have never had any issues due to cancelling because I have been fortunate not to have any reason to cancel last minute. I would recommend that the company take a look at the policy since it seems that 90% of the complaints are about that policy not about the staff it self. Just more that the staff, isn't giving them the answers they want to hear. I love the staff! They are truly some of the best parts of our day! They know our names when we walk in and it makes my son so happy! Thank you to the staff and Dr. Timmerman for everything you have done! We appreciate it all!

Racy Eubanks

Please DO NOT go here! Go to another practice where the doctors and staff actually care about giving good patient care. This place does not.

Jason Keeling

Marc Gunderson is a rude disrespectful condescending arrogant human being. He is a human being of horrible character he is also a confrontational person that doesn’t even have enough respect to look you in your face Veterans steer clear of this doctor and I use that term loosely. This person affected me in a very negative manner. But this Google review is just the beginning

Alyson Golub

Don't call back. Dr.'s are unprofessional and didn't realize that she was prescribing me medicine for a year. Won't send files easily. Said they took my insurance but I still received a bill in the mail.

Elizabeth Sherstoff

Never could get an appointment... they simply do not care about any message you left. Chesterfield location.

Zachary Barry

The staff and Doctors are excellent. I would highly recommend it. Drs. Lewis and Gunderson are professional, kind and compassionate. I have been going here for about 5 months and I have made significant progress. I am treated with dignity and respect by every staff member I have met. I did have a bad experience once here with a doctor several years ago (nothing serious, just rudeness) and they apologized for that whenever I returned and assured me he was no longer with the company and no longer seeing patients. I have no indication that this is anything but the case. I am very pleased with the facility and staff. There is a policy that if you cancel your appointment with your doctor or clinician less than 24 hours before your appointment starts, you will be charged $75. This is very clearly explained before your first visit and when you arrive the first time, and is also posted prominently in the lobby where you check in and make appointments. This may be unhelpful, or seemingly uncompassionate for those who cannot keep a schedule or make it on time. That being said they did allow me to see my therapist when I was significantly late (over 20 minutes) due to an accident closing down 170 and I-64. I did not get charged on this occasion, and I got to see my therapist like it was any other day. This was the case for everyone else who showed up late while I waited in the lobby. That being said I have been charged before when I have been significantly late, but it was always my fault and there wasn't enough time to make my appointment during the time period I was scheduled and not inconvenience every other patient that was scheduled with them after me. When they did tell me I was being charged the staff was kind and professional. I have never had an appointment dropped or changed by the staff, except for my own lateness. Overall they are very professional and compassionate and express a desire to help the patient. I haven't had any issues since the first time I went here over 7 years ago. I would like to say thank you to the staff for their kind and caring work.

Karen Verstraete

The front desk employees at the Chesterfield location are extremely rude. We will not return.

Corky Spicer

I have been seeing a therapist for over a year at SLBH. I have had the opportunity to be engaged with a couple of clinicians who are excellent. During the time I have been in therapy it seems the front end office staff has had a high turn over. I believe there could be better training on customer service and interaction the clients receiving mental health services. I don’t like the rigid policy about canceling appointments 24 hrs before the appointment and would like to see a little more leniency. I drive 70 miles away and have health issues that always don’t allow me to know if I am going to be ill the day of the appointment. I am self employed and know if my clients don’t show up, I don’t get paid. Then I can’t pay my bills. SLBH must be able to pay the clinicians, staff and pay the office expenses. Additionally, someone else could have been booked for the time slot for the cancelled appointment or no show. There are other reasons that could apply. I would recommend SLBH without any hesitation.

ELRE

I'll start by saying the doctors are great! Their office staff absolutely sucks! Like come on now you're dealing with people who are already mentally dealing with issues then to have to come in and deal with your piss poor attitude is definitely not helping. They are definitely about their money. No questions asked if you can't pay you may as well leave. Then they charge you $78 if you don't cancel an appointment within 24 hours. That means that if you call at 9:01 the day before the appointment you're getting charged $78 for canceling 23 hours and 59 minutes before the appointment. Trust me you can find better. Find you an office with some type of compassion. Can't wait until this place is shut down.

Elisha Jewel

This place is a RIP OFF!! Do NOT waist your money here!!!

Danielle Kiesler

I wish Drs would stop referring to this unethical and greedy business. They will tell you they are taking new patients, when actually they are full, then put you on a 6month waiting list to get that appointment, plus another 2-3months wait for a follow-up. Our only follow up appointment was then cancelled by the therapist just 4hrs before we showed up. Totally neglectful patient care.

Abigail Nelson

I called to try and set up and appointment with one of their Doctors. (I'm new to the area) My first interaction with their staff was a receptionist who picked up the phone and was incredibly rude. When I explained that I trying to set up an appointment, she cut me off and said "You'll need to call back during business hours on Monday". I'm all for being out of work on time on a Friday, but that attitude did not give me a great first impression of this office.

Matt Mitchener

My Girlfriend talked to a "Coordinator", trying to get questions about this Institute and what they offered. She was very rude and not very helpful at all, and sounded more interested in just trying to get her signed up with no questions asked. It's a terrible sign when you talk down to mentally impaired callers who just want help.

Mike Brewer

Great. Doctors. Staff very courteous

Karley Armstrong

There are so many caring, compassionate therapists and doctors here, Dr. Pollard, Dr. Allison Menatti, Gary Mitchell, and Dr. Sam (idk his last name, but he’s a site therapist). All of those people I just listed are awesome! They all really care about you getting better and really push you to do your best. Gary was always so understanding, one time I was having a horrible day and couldn’t get out of the car cause I was having high anxiety, and he came out to my car and talked to me in the parking lot and didn’t judge me for it, he was super understanding and was happy to do it, (That’s above and beyond!). Dr. Pollard is funny and makes therapy enjoyable while still being real with you and gives great knowledge. Dr. Allison Menatti is super compassionate and gives you a ton of encouragement and listens to you ramble on for hours if that’s what you need to do. Dr. Sam is very knowledgeable and also compassionate, he was always the site therapist that I hoped I got when I went to site, he cares not only about your main therapy issues, but other things that happen in your life, I had many days where I came in (I guess he could tell I had just cried or maybe I looked upset) and he would right away ask what happened or what’s wrong, you could tell he really cares about everything that goes on in your life and really makes an effort to make sure you’re ok. Sorry for that long ramble, but I’m so impressed with all of those people and how well they do their jobs, I’m honestly surprised how many bad reviews there are on here. I recommend this place highly, they have really gotten me through a tough time.

Thomas P

Even though 1 star i can't even make my self click it. The only reason i had to click this 1 star because I HAVE TO to post this bad review for this office. No WONDER this company rating is sucks because of their employees. The office people are sucks!!!!!!!!!!Please don't even try to go to this office because I don't want you to experience what i experienced from this office especially some of the Managers, they don't have any sympathy. The policies are HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will NEVER EVER recommend this company! They are all about money. They don't care about the situation and NO CONSIDERATION AT ALL!

Legatha

This place is ridiculous. My boyfriend was told the wrong appointment time and then when he showed up 23 hours early couldn't cancel or reschedule without getting charged 78 dollars for not having cancelled 24 hours in advance.

N R

My experience has been great. I am definitely better now than I was when starting a year ago. My therapist gave me real tools I could use.

Allison Hansen

Dr. McKeane with St. Louis Behavioral Medicine is amazing. I would give her 10+ stars if I could. She is empathetic, professional, and very good at what she does. I struggled with post-partum anxiety/ sleep issues and saw numerous health professionals before I went to her. I started improving immediately and was in perfect health within a few months of seeing her. I can't say I would give the billing staff 5 stars, but if you need help, Dr. McKeane (and Dr. D'Antonio) are outstanding and I'm so, so grateful I found them. Also, unlike other Dr's office, they always see you within 5 minutes of your scheduled appointment!!

Laura Spear

Omg, yes, this place will rip you off left and right! The financial department and front desk apparently don't talk to the doctors so when fees are charged your doctor seems like the good guy and the financial department gives you excuse after excuse, and not in a nice way either. Slowly working my way out from this location and these doctors because of it!

Audrey Manners

I have never had anything but a wonderful experience here. I have been treated with dignity and respect and feel that I have made significant progress over my time here.

Shannon Ramos

My son went through IOP and it was wonderful. He is doing great and still gaining weight! The problem is the finance department is horrible. We were miss quoted on the financial agreement by a significant amount of money. My husband and my son's dad both got a lot of aditude from Collen when they tried to get it worked out.

jonny matt

I was getting evaluations through the chesterfield location evrythingf was ok at first but after the third scheduled appointment i received a call that they could get me in sooner than the said date, then I got a call the following day from the secretary saying that they made a mistake ad rescheduled for a different day so I was still ok with, I then for got to mark it down in my calendar so I missed that appt, so I called in to rescedule, when I was at the appointment I owned up to forgetting the scheduled appointment and paid the $78 fee but they charged me for 2 missed appontments, by secretary error, and it seems there is nothing I can do about it, I called billing explained the situation clearly and ssaid that i would not pay the money, she then said she would call me back. I received no phone call or follow up about the complaint but they did send me a bill threatening to send me to collections, this place is a joke they seem to make there money off co pays and missed appointments if there was a 0 sar I would click it

Karin Summerland

I love my therapist here. Wonderful staff!

Patrick Kellison

Was placed on maximum dosage for antidepressant, then denied a refill after a year of dependency. Did not receive a letter or phone call or email or text or any communication of any kind. My status as a patient was simply terminated without notice, thus I was denied care or consideration of any kind. Billing department managed to get a hold of me just fine, though. The embodiment of everything wrong with healthcare in America.

Angie K.

Dr. Sara Timmerman has helped both me and my son for the past 5 years. She's an excellent psychologist and we can't even express how much gratitude we owe to her. Angela Kunze

Travis Stewart

I've had a lot of good experiences working with the eating disorder team at SLBMI. They are committed to ethical care and best practices for their clients. They have strong leadership and many of their staff have been with them for a long time which speaks to a good work environment and effective communication. I'm happy to refer clients to them who need treatment for an eating disorder.

Eric J

This place is a scam. They will quote you a price and then they will charge you more without telling you. Stay far far away from this place unless you like getting scammed out of your money.

Lindan Noel

I've been going for almost a year now and I've never had a bad experience with my therapist or the staff. They are all very friendly and welcoming. I never feel any judgement when I come in.

Ghost

Its ashame, I finally found the doctor that I felt comfortable enough to talk to after 10-15 years of searching. Doctor Shapiro is a great guy that genuinley cares about ones well being. But, any office that makes a customer pay because of apointment cancellations will not get another dime from myself, or my insurance, period. They need to adopt an approach puts their customers first. They need to recognize that life happens, things change, and customers shuld not be punished because of this.

Sterling Herron

Overall it has been a good experience for me, especially for psychiatry. I would recommend Dr. Saini. It can be difficult to get a hold of them by phone, and of course they will charge you if you cancel your appointment after the 24 hr mark.

Anne Cummings

The clinicians are excellent. The office staff is poorly trained. It's almost impossible to make an appointment without playing phone tag. More than once, they have scheduled my appt. with the wrong doctor. I've had appts. start late because they notified the wrong doctor that I had arrived. It's a mess. If you can at all avoid this place, you need to!

Laura Greco

Throwing someone in a room after they've revealed all their problems, saying terrible things about those problems to heighten their anxiety and then leaving them in there to "reflect" for 20 minutes or much longer on it isn't therapy.

Cori P

Do not call looking for compassion. Staff is the first point of contact one would have inquiring about this facility and they were unfriendly, abrupt (they told me my insurance wasn’t accepted and immediately hung up, I called back to ask if there were out of pocket payment options and still, gave me my “answer” and hung up), & made me feel that much worse about what I’m going through. I spoke to two different people which made me wonder all the more why they bother answering the phones at all. Do not recommend at all. For your mental health, go anywhere else.

Beth Wood

I love the team approach that they have in the intense outpatient program (IOP). All of the therapists were understanding, knowledgable, professional, easy to talk to and caring. I felt so much better after 4 weeks of IOP. I am continuing to see my therapist so I can stay on my path in my life journey. They are not in it for the money. They do have a very strict policy about missed appointments. Most therapist/doctors at other places have no show fees. It also makes patients responsible and take treatment seriously. Give them a call. Meet with someone. I highly recommend them.

Alan Ramsey

I can not say enough good things about this place. The doctors, councilors, and programs they have are top notch. I would recommend this place to anyone who is seeking help for issues in their lives.

Kara Pohlman

I have had nothing but trouble when trying to communicate, schedule, and work with this office. It began by them not informing that they did not take my insurance and telling me I owed hundreds of dollars 2 DAYS before my appointment despite scheduling the appointment two weeks prior to that! Following that appointment I have been attempting to schedule my other appointment for 3 WEEKS! I finally scheduled it today after talking to someone multiple times a week. But the kicker is I have to wait ANOTHER MONTH to see the doctor. THIS OFFICE IS TERRIBLE! I absolutely love the doctor, but the office staff clearly does not care, does not understand responsibility or flexibility, and are all around poor at coordinating. Please go anywhere that isn't here, I would have if I had a choice.

Abigail Spencer

I was referred to come here for therapy and dietary needs after staying in a residential setting. My team was wonderful, but as the rest of these reviews read, their policies are not so great. I was okay with the 24-hour cancellation policy, but what I'm not okay with is being charged when I cancel my appointment before the 24-hour marker. I had hip surgery planned and called them to cancel all my appointments. The day of my next scheduled appointment, my doctor calls wondering where I am. So, i called the receptionist, and she remembers me calling, and confirms that my appointments were cancelled and I won't owe money. However, 3 MONTHS LATER, I get a bill for a missed appointment. I tried to contact them on the issue, but kept playing phone tag, and their voicemails would just say basically I owe them. I left a complaint through the BBB that they ignored, and the case is now closed, so that tells you there they are just money hungry... Honestly, I don't see anyone anymore because I'm too afraid the same thing will happen again. Long story short: this place is more about profit than treatment.

Joe Vrazo

I should have read these reviews before getting involved with this place! Though not a long-term solution for us, Dr. Brundage was fine. The front desk / office staff are very incompetent, etc. I ended up paying for two missed sessions THAT I CANCELLED MORE THAN 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE BECAUSE OF THEIR INCOMPETENCE. I will never use these folks again and though not likely to come up I would NOT recommend and give 3 THUMBS DOWN!

Julianne Attaway

DO NOT GO HERE!! It’s a scam to drain your bank account for their gain. The focus is on money, not helping people. They know people seeking mental health treatment are vulnerable and they exploit the hell out of it. I’m more depressed now than before I was referred.

Michael Dibernardo

Please avoid using this organization. The counselor I was given was unprepared, disinterested and continually ended our sessions at least 10 minutes early. For these reasons, I was forced to cancel an appointment that had been arranged. However, I was charged for a missed appointment because I cancelled 30 minutes after the 24-hour notice policy. This policy is incredibly strict, uncommon and unethical. I am a Saint Louis University student, and do not have many counseling options. but was able to find a better counseling service than Saint Louis B.M.I. There are other options, even if you have a limited health plan.

Kayleyn Jones

Their clinicians are, for the most part, fine, however their ridiculous attendance policy (will charge for a missed appointment cancelled with less than 24 hours notice NO MATTER what the circumstances) shows a complete focus on money and lack of care for their clients. Their clients are simply numbers and money in their pockets and for that alone I would suggest that everyone finds someone who is able to see you as more than a paycheck.

Jessica Liebmann

Money. Bottom line. This is the focus of this office. The focus is NOT on the well being of the patients, the focus is to make sure they get the most money possible out of you and your insurance company. I would never reccommend this office to anyone, I'm incredibly disappointed with the service. Steer clear.

Danny Schrader

Charged full fees for missing appointments that I was told the wrong time for. This did wonders for stress reduction....

Tamara Taylor

Every time I went there they overcharged me. The first doctor I met with was horrible: gruff, judgmental, cold, and actually made my anxiety far worse. The second was much better on our first meeting, but since the intake interview, I have felt like just another problem for them to demand money from. I think there has to be better sources for help than this place. They care about your $$$$, not you.

Anonymous User

This is not a review for the Dr's but rather for the office and their policies that I think people need to be aware of. We visited the office in Chesterfield. I did not think it was unusual to sign an agreement about a 24 hour cancellation policy or you will get charged for the visit. However, I was a little skeptical when we met with the Dr. and she herself had us sign another agreement so we signed it twice. Still, the policy itself was expected. What was not expected was the fact that they expect you to still make this appt. if you are very sick and contagious and cannot make that 24 hour deadline. Very unusual and I've spoken to numerous Dr's about it. My daughter had an appt. at 2:30 on a Thursday. The Wednesday afternoon before (4:30) we found out my daughter had a bad case of pinkeye in both of her eyes. This stuff is highly contagious and to tell a 6 year old not to rub her eyes and touch anything is near impossible. That evening I called and left a message for the Dr. about the circumstances and apologized that my daughter was unable to make the apt. the next afternoon. There was not a doubt in mind that the office would not want her in there anyway and also because they practically had most of the day to call their cancellation list if need be. A few weeks later I received a bill. I talked with the billing dept and their answer was "a policy is a policy no matter what circumstances" I now have a call into the manager. I believe people need to know this. Had I known ahead of time I would have never subjected my family to this practice. Having small children, there is no way I would want my kids subjected to all the contagious illnesses that someone knowingly has (ie: flu, pinkeye, etc..) but cannot stay home because it's past the 24 hour deadline and they do not want to get charged. I also understand that some may abuse this policy. Therefore the policy needs to be revised. If it's such that this practice is going to allow this, the policy or office must have some kind of addendum : Dr's note is needed or first time cancellation ok since sometimes (ie: child is throwing up all day) you do not see the Dr. Paying the bill is the not the real problem: knowing that this practice is unsafe is.