Lee D. Mendiola, MD, PC-TMS Center of Ventura

I had a great experience with Dr. Mendiola’s associate, Dr. Manipod. She was thoughtful and creative in her approach. I was pleasantly surprised.

I am very disappointed with my experience. I was a patient for I believe at least a year and a half most likely more and I had a lapse in my insurance in which I had asked if I could get a month refill on my prescriptions while I sort the situation out and I was told no and that I would have to be seen as a self pay and I did not have $ 125 at that moment to keep my appointment so I had to cancel with no refill of my medication. I contacted my insurance immediately to fix the issue and in less than a week my insurance was active again in which I contacted the office to schedule an appointment this was end of November and I was told he was booked all through December and that I would have to call back beginning January. At this time I asked again if I could get a refill on my prescription so I wasn’t cut off cold turkey considering this was now a scheduling issue and I was told no again and that I would have to be seen (quite the dilemma). The office staff was extremely rude and condescending the particular lady I spoke to. She did suggest I contact my primary care doctor to see about a refill on my prescriptions so I did that and thankfully I was given a month worth of my medication. I called back January 4^th to schedule an appointment and was told I was suspended from services there. This just happened today I’m completely blown away I was told for not being seen in awhile. What am I missing here? I was trying to be seen and I was available I just had to fix an insurance issue. I’m completely baffled and when asked if I could speak with Dr Lee Mandiola I was told he would be out for another couple weeks. That would be something that’s kind of important for patients to know and prepare for considering I was told beginning January. On top of this I found out the doctor I had seen prior to him who was absolutely wonderful was back in the office as she was my original Dr but apparently moved then came back so this had me thinking under the circumstance when I spoke to the staff at the front desk if Dr Lee M was completely booked why would they not suggest one of the other providers in the office working under him to make sure I was seen (?). I called again for one last thread of hope to see if I could be seen by the original Dr who left and came back but was told no considering she works under him and that I was completely suspended from services. This is just so odd to me I don’t understand. I have 4 days left of my medication and I know very well this is something you just don’t stop taking the repercussions can be dangerous. I’m beyond disappointed and actually scared.

I absolutely love this Dr and his staff. I’ve been a patient for a few years now and have found everyone not only to be understanding, compassionate and caring but also willing to go the extra mile to help keep me on track, even when I stumble. I have never felt rushed during any office visit, I appreciate their patience and willingness to explain different medications, etc. I would, and do, recommend Dr M to anyone suffering through depression and anxiety.

Dr Mendiola has been my psychiatrist since 2006. I’ve been very happy with his service and haven’t had any reason to switch doctors. Supportive, easy to talk to, and good listener. Responds to routine messages in good time. We’ve gone through a lot of medication changes over the years. He doesn’t overprescribe and he doesn’t push me to take a medication I’m uncomfortable with. Your recovery is ultimately in your hands. I’m fairly stable so my appts are no bs 15-​min med checks and follow-​up.
Busy but amiable office staff, fulfills refill requests from pharmacy same day, unless my pharmacy screws up, which is more often than not. Automated phone service calls the day before to remind you of your next appt, so you have no excuse to cancel and it saves you 24-​hour cancellation fee if you forget. Comfortable modern waiting area and office.
Dr Mendiola offers me advice on healthier ways to manage my symptoms, such as exercise, and asks me how things are in my life aside from the meds, but if I want to talk to sometime and more personal time, I’ll go find a therapist. In general, in my experience, outpatient psychiatrists don’t do therapy because just don’t have time in their practice for the amount of patients they see. But seeing a good psychiatrist is a therapeutic relationship in its own way. I think Dr M is a good psychiatrist.

(2013) This was the worst experience I’ve ever had with a doctor. Before my appointment, I had asked if they took my insurance, which they confirmed they did. Almost a month later I received a letter in the mail stating that my insurance does not cover his office so I was being forced to pay $ 300 for a visit that lasted less than 15 minutes. What baffles me is how a doctor without knowledge of my medical history could just crap out a prescription for a drug he didn’t specify the purpose of. Talk about being pompous and LAZY. I did not feel cared for by this doctor or his representatives, these are the most unprofessional people I’ve ever had the misfortune of meeting.

the guy hears the word alcohol and immediately labels you and asks you loaded questions to justify his judgmental diagnosis… thanks lee, i came for help and rearranged my schedule to seek help replacing alcohol with something else to stop my horrific thoughts, but instead after you labelled me, you drove me to a new extreme… also, thanks for the ‘fist bump’ you offered me at the end of our consultation so you could «relate» to me because I was wearing a backwards hat… despite all your diplomas on the wall, I think I’m able to read people better than you. «if it quacks like a duck, its probably a duck» is how he essentially called me an alcoholic because i’ve been drinking more than usual to get thru a tough time. good job doc, hope my review doesn’t affect your score on the back 9. but what do you care as long as you can bill my insurance with the right code

He continued to put me on the wrong medications, making things worse. He also insinuated that I was making up having numerous side effects to medications he prescribed for me (medications that now knowing my diagnosis would never be prescribed to me). Of course I was having side effects! I too, like the previous reviewer was told that he could no longer help me. What doctor tells someone who is ill, has not yet been PROPERLY diagnosed, that there’s nothing they can do for them? He’s probably the worst doctor I’ve ever seen.

I visited Dr. Mendiola for a couple of months. During this time I’d say my experience was very good. During my visits I had shared with Dr. Mendiola that I would be relocating to the Orange County area and he mentioned that it might be a chore to get a doctor in the area. So, I’d say all the positives disappeared after I relocated to Irvine and called to get my medication refilled. I’ve run out of my medication and was surprised when I called the doctor to get my prescription refilled. The doctors assistant told me he could not refill my prescription since I missed my last appointment (last month) and he hadn’t seen me in 2 months.
Now that is shocking. I have been taking my medication for 10 years and this is the first doctor that has given me that kind of response. The fact that a doctor would rather let you go without meds because they want to see you (they want the $$$) is appalling to me. … I am totally shocked… a doctors oath is to be helpful and serve the patient… seems like that is not the case with Dr. Mendiola.

I absolutely love Dr Mendiola and as a nurse I have referred patients to him often.
He treats his clients well and as a professional, I respect him. There are many shoddy pill pushers out there out there just giving clients the meds they want to build repeat business;. Dr Mendiola takes time to get to know his patients, and prescribes what they need to get better and get back to the life they are supposed to have. He recognizes the benefits of therapy combined with medications.
I have seen him help so many patients. It is great that he has chosen to practice in Ventura.

Dr Mendiola is a helpful dr. His office staff on the other hand are rude, callous, arrogant, insensitive, assholes. If you are struggling and having a crisis DO NOT! I REPEAT DO NOT GO TO THIS OFFICE! They are a horrific group of ladies. They are rude and unhelpful on the phone; they will and DO HANG UP ON YOU! They have no problem hanging up on you, and hung up on me multiple times! Mental health should not be a task or embarrassing and the office personnel made it feel this way. I had multiple challenges with his office staff and it was nothing but a horrific unpleasant struggle. I would not recommend this office to anyone… Due to the office staff.
Horrific STAFF!!! Beware gossipy, conceited, and awful.

The staff is very rude and robotic. I went for a year and never got any better. I feel like the Dr. tried to help me in the beginning but later on he suggested I stop coming to him if I didn’t feel he could help me! Isn’t that his job? Try to help? I got the feeling he never wanted to hear anything personal and tried to get me out as quickly as possible. All about money, money, money.

Dr. Mendiola has been great and I’ve been seeing him for over a year.

I never actually got to see Dr Mendiola due to the horrible office staff he employs. Their customer service skills are nonexistent and they talk down to you as if they are doing you a favor in setting an appointment. Seeing a psychiatrist involves a substantial need for trust, but when the office help is so poor that trust cannot even begin to be built. Mendiola might be ok, but in my experience the office usually reflects the what you can expect from the doctors. Poor.

My experience with Dr. Mendiola has been very positive. He has a positive attitude and I always feel comfortable speaking with him during my visits. After seeing him for about three years, my stress level has greatly decreased and my quality of life has greatly increased. Dr. Mendiola takes the time to understand your personal diagnosis so he doesn’t just throw out prescriptions. I especially recommend Dr. Mendiola to people who are reluctant about seeking mental health care. It is so worth it!

This doctor did me a huge indiservice. Rather than carefully treat me, making sure my symptoms and background matched my current treatment needs, I because much worse under his care. I feel now, after having seen several professional and more intuitive doctors, that Dr. Mendiola was absolutely unprofessional. He does not rise from behind his large, imposing desk to greet you. I had never had my vitals taken. My current doctor is able to see stressors when my regular ¹⁰⁵⁄₇₀ bloodpressure spikes to ¹⁴⁵⁄₉₅ as it has done a few times.
I believe that Dr. Mendiola needs to be more cognicent of his patients altogether and not treat us like a cattle drive or just a stepping stone into that next 15 minute billed patient. This was in 2012 – 2013 so hopefully he has changed his business/​ethics a bit since then. Still, I would not recommend.

Dr. Mendiola is a wonderful doctor! I have been seeing him for over 5 years and never in my life have I felt so good and I owe it all to him! He’s a great listener ! Go see him!

Dr. Mendiola has been my Doctor for almost six years, I have a history of depression and extreme anxiety. In his treatment I have come to trust him on every level. In 2008 I had breast cancer, he walked with me through the experience. The best way to express my appreciation and value is he makes me feel safe teaching me to set boundaries, and that boundaries are healthy. Trust is a key factor, I have cried many tears at his desk, and he always has Kleenex, what I am trying to express is his ability to listen and not judge, he is genuine, I would recommend him to anyone.

Dr. Mendiola helped me turn my life around. I started seeing him in 2011 and it was the best decision I made. I was a complete anxious, depressed, crying, drinking mess until I started seeing him. He is a very encouraging and supporting doctor. I always look forward to my appointments to tell him how I’ve improved and honestly don’t know where I would be without him.
Pros:
Friendly and understanding
Easy to talk to
Doesn’t give off the «judging vibe» that many doctors do
Super friendly staff
Cons:
None :)
I have recommended him to family and friends and they have improved as well.
Wish I would have found him sooner, but honestly couldn’t imagine being happier in my life than I have been since seeing him.