Potomac Health Services

They let us book a session with Beth Higgins, we took sick leave from work and made time - only to have her tell us in the first 2 minutes of the session that she wasnt taking new patients. If I could give this place 0 stars I would.
Aug 6th, 2021

The absolute worst: unethical and unprofessional from the ever-revolving front desk staff to the health "providers".But if value honesty, competency, and professionalism then avoid them at all costs.
Apr 20th, 2020

The front staff did not prepare me for the first meeting at all. I mentioned I had a very long psychoanalysis years ago and was surprised by the 45 minute introduction timing, feeling it was too short, given past experiences. They told me they would call to confirm my appointment after sending requested documents which I sent while I was on the phone with them. I followed up a week later to make sure my appointment was confirmed. They sent me paperwork that needed to be turned in 48 hours prior to the appointment or the appointment would be cancelled less than 24 hours prior to the appointment. I sent the documentation back as quickly as I could and asked that they confirm my appointment was still good to go- no response. Also, no warning of a $5 parking payment that they do not validate. The worst part was the meeting with Dr Raju. I sat down and immediately started listing off medications I was taking. I got one of the dosages wrong and instead of saying oh the dosages work like this, that must be wrong she just shook her head at me in order to inform me that I was wrong. She told me she didnt prescribe benzos (fine, a lot of them dont) and asked pointed questions that felt almost accusatory of substance abuse. She then started talking about my treatment plan. One medication that Im currently on she claimed would give me rashes if the dose wasnt raised properly, she then told me shed be doubling said dose starting immediately and gave me a number of different options as to how I could split that dose. She asked a few questions about medical history, told me what medications she wanted me to be put on and told me to taper off other medications with the other prescribing practitioner (I guess she doesnt get paid enough through insurance for that part?). She asked if Id had any trauma and I told her no and towards the end of our meeting told me what she was diagnosing me with, with no information to base the diagnosis on, and asked me if Id ever been diagnosed with PTSD. I told her no and she said Im surprised which I guess would have made sense had I been see a psychic and not a psychiatrist but how on earth does one draw the conclusion that I should be treated for PTSD without so much as a sliver of information of my background? I finally worked up the courage to tell her I felt it wasnt a good match and I apologize if I wasted her time and walked out feeling more tense than I had in days. My advice to you: STAY AWAY, this is an office who prescribes (not benzos though, because morals?) without knowing anything about you and then asks you to come back to report their all expenses paid studies on you like youre a lab rat. I left questioning if I understood the role of a psychiatrist at all and someone who worked in the building was nice enough to badge me out of the parking garage while I was in tears looking through my purse for my parking ticket. Mental health care can be extremely difficult to find and I hope no one feels as discouraged as I did after leaving this office.
Feb 3rd, 2022

The clinical staff are good, and the telehealth portal has worked well for online appointments. The ability to request future appointments with the psychiatrist and therapist is very helpful. The billing process is a major negative. There is no indication of what is owed in the telehealth portal, and there is no email sent or physical letter mailed (which is unusual compared to other medical offices). The first time the office contacted me in regards to billing, the person was quite confrontational on the phone, saying "you cannot schedule another appointment until you make a payment. Do you notice how we haven't billed you yet?" I had to ask twice to receive a copy of my bill via email, and the only way they could process a payment was over the phone.
Dec 26th, 2021

Cold. Uncaring. Prescribes a cocktail of meds rather than trying to find the best one.  Requires an appointment to get an insurance preauthorization form for meds that I've been taking for years, forcing me to wait several days for meds I need.  Told me that I am causing my own depression because I am caring too much about my separation and impending divorce after 25 years of marriage.  Worse she said I was adding to my own depression by worrying about my daughter. She was raped, and I was very worried about her dealing with that trauma, alone in a city where she had no family. She told me that my daughter was an adult (20) and she could take care of herself, that I need to let her work that (trauma) out on her own.  She was the victim of a violent crime at 20 years of age, and Im causing my own depression being concerned about her?? I couldn't believe what I heard. I was in shock. She is not only a poor doctor, she's a poor excuse for a human being. She'd NEVER see her sons harmed horribly in life changing ways and say "Oh well, they're adults. Let them worry about themselves."   SHould I even bother to talk about her horrible, untrained, office staff? She fired everyone who knew what they were doing.  Office staff is incompetent, and soemtimes rude. There's probably someone new working today, so I can't really say what you'll get. She cannot keep anyone for long.   I'd sooner see Dr. Nick from the Simpsons than go back to her.
Mar 22nd, 2021