The Center for Healing and Happiness

I am so hesitant to write this review because it is so personal but I believe the need to look out for others trumps my personal pride. And as a nurse, I can’t imagine treating any patient the way she treated me or the other reviewers.
It has been over a year that I saw Dr. Niemisto and I saw her maybe 8 – 10 visits total over several months. My experience with the office staff (especially Karen) and Dr. Niemisto mirrors the other reviewers.
In a nutshell, Dr. Niemisto was non-​compassionate, rude, over talked me and regularly cut me off in the short 15 minute appointments, rolled her eyes at me and even chuckled telling me «that doesn’t make sense». On several occasions she demanded to know why my insurance company takes 30 days to pay her that should have been addressed with my insurance company. I don’t know why it took them 30 days to pay her either, but she always got my $ 20 copay at each visit.
Besides her lack of «good bedside» behavior that some might ignore or tolerate, the most concerning thing that occurred was the one and only time that I called her after hours number around 6 pm on a business day. Several days earlier she prescribed a medication that caused a frightening side effect and I didn’t know what to do («Should I stop the drug immediately considering the acute effects? Should I cut the dose in half until I see you?»). When she called me back the NEXT day she told me that my call was not an emergency and criticized me for calling her after hours, even though her office voicemail says to call her for anything serious. She then berated me again at the next appointment about the same thing. That was the last time I ever saw her. It’s crazy how this doctor can actually worsen your depression solely by interacting with her.
Just stay clear of her. No one (especially a nurse) puts their personal info out here on Unilocal like this for thousands to read unless it is important to inform.

For a practice that deals with people that have emotional or mental issues, the office staff and dr. Niemesto can be extremely curt, borderline rude. I did not see the other doctors, so I can’t speak to them. I know they are running a business, and have no qualms with that, but their practice of charging patients for prescription refills is sketchy in my opinion — it’s either an appointment or it isn’t, no other doctor I’ve ever seen charges simply to pick up a slip of paper. Dr. Nimesto is eager to prescribe, even with medications that are relatively new– one in particular made me deathly ill– she claimed it would help with my back pain, even though clearly that was not why I was seeing her. Again, maybe this is par for the course with psychiatric care.
I haven’t been there in a year, but recently was reminded why I don’t go back. A simple request for medical records caused them to admonish me (for wanting them same day, which I had said would be nice but not necessary). I ran by their office that evening as Karen said they might be ready (I had to show up in person, as they answer their phone maybe 10% of the time). When I showed up, I was practically yelled at and told I was told they would not be ready — that the doctor has to sign off on them (again, the records are the records, what does the doctor have to do with releasing my records). I was also quoted a fee for one year worth of records that was 2x the amount I paid for 10years worth of records from another doctor) As of two weeks from my request, I have heard nothing from them.
Overall, without too much detail, the doctor cut off a prescription that had been working wonders for me — I had a symptom I reported (snoring), that went away, which I shared, and yet the doctor wouldn’t continue the use of my medication.
I picked this place based on location, will not make that mistake again.

Not a great experience. It’s ironic that a place which is supposed to help anxiety only causes more. Karen, the office manager, is rude, mean, and has no business working in facility that treats individuals with personality disorders. Dr. Niemisto is a joke. She will make you wait for 30 minutes after your scheduled appointment, and still bill you for 60 mins, even if you only sit for a half session. Good luck disputing it, Karen will just tell you you’re wrong and even hung up on me once because I wouldn’t let it go. My first time seeing Dr. Niemisto, she rolled her eyes numerous times in frustration because what I was saying, «didn’t make sense». Duh, I have a disorder, it’s confusing. No compassion whatsoever. Made me feel even more messed up and anxious. Lynn Lombardo is a good therapist, the only issue I had was she gave me the wrong cell phone # and I contacted a stranger about an issue. That was embarrassing. I would not recommend this place to anyone.

I normally feel kind of weird reviewing these kinds of places because it seems really personal to put out into cyberland. But, I’ll put my uncomfortableness aside for you, my Unilocal friends, that may be looking for this kind of care.
First off, don’t judge the practice by its name, which, I’m sorry, but is so cheesy I could die. It sounds like you’re walking into a hippy commune or something. But, once you get past the name, all is well.
The office isn’t big, I think 2 doctors and 2 therapists. The décor is pretty cool, and more spa-​like than clinical.
When I ran out of a prescription, and was told by the pharmacy that I had to wait for prior authorization (which could take days), the doctor made sure the paperwork was handled right away, and also gave me 3 weeks of samples to make sure I didn’t run out. All of this red tape was handled in a few hours, and I really appreciated it.
The staff I’ve seen there are really professional and so far I have no complaints.