Harbor Psychiatry & Mental Health

I called right now to book an appointment. I have been struggling with my mental health for a long time now, and I know I need help. I got out of the ER yesterday, and was given this place for a recommendation to go to, and I don’t know if it was the receptionist on the phone or what… But I got no help at all! I just wanted to book an appointment and they asked me who in specific should I make it with. I NEED HELP. Anyone at this point please. I obviously didn’t say it like that, but dang! The call had me feeling more drained, and even though it was kind of a short call, I didn’t feel heard at all.

I want to share my experience with NP Krista Ribota to provide insight for others. During my last visit, I attempted to be open about a deeply personal and traumatic experience. I do not share it with anyone because I know it will likely not be understood, yet I summoned a great deal of strength and trust to speak it out loud and share it with Krista (someone), in order to address my health. After sharing, I was met with complete silence by her—no response or acknowledgment whatsoever. It was dismissive at a moment when I was vulnerable and seeking support. Additionally, when I spoke about my anxiety, I was met with questioning that was invalidating. She asked, “What makes you say it’s anxiety?” as if I don’t have knowledge of my own medical condition, my own medical history, and my own medical diagnosis from my doctor. Moreover, this question suggested that I don't understand my own mental health. It was weird because... she asked me this on my second visit after already treating me for my anxiety and knowing my medical history. Her question was dismissive and not fully but a bit gaslighting, in a sense that she made me question my reality and my diagnosis by doctors. She made me question a condition that I've lived with my entire life. Finally, the appointment process was confusing and I felt targeted as in, it felt like it was just me receiving this treatment, although others may have had the same experience. The experience being, I was repeatedly required to have appointments with and speak solely with her during visits rather than the doctor. I have always been able to have appointments directly with doctors at other facilities, so it made me wonder if other patients were able to speak directly to Harbor's psychiatrists. I also wondered whether I was not given the ability to speak directly with doctors due to my health insurance being Medicaid. I see on Yelp reviews other patients have appointments directly with doctors. Overall, I was unsupported, dismissed, and her lack of response to the trauma I shared with her has left a mark on me. -Her silence was damaging. She left me with the thought, "I will never share this with anyone again." I hope this feedback is helpful to anyone considering care with her. I am happy to see others have been able to receive the care and help they need for their mental health, that's what it's all about.