Doesn't Recommend

mmaddie

Joined 2 years ago

Second Opinion.... I was a patient of Dr. Sandman's for about two years. During my time there I repeatedly asked to discuss my medication with the doctor. Dr. Sandman never wanted to talk about my medication but rather wanted to increase my dosage instead. Unfortunately I decided not to seek a second opinion at that time and continued to see Dr. Sandman for another year. About a year ago, I had had enough and found a new psychiatrist. Immediately my new doctor felt as though I wasn't on the correct medication and has been decreasing my levels for the past year. It sounds like by reading other people's reviews that Dr. Sandman worked for some. My recommendation is to seek an additional opinion before going along with what he or any doctor says, I sure wish I would have.

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Coconut tree

Joined 3 years ago

Best Doctor. Great psychiatrist. The front desk receptionist is downright rude. I agree with the other reviews about her. When you call the office, it’s as if she doesn’t even know who she works for. “Dr…. Sandman’s office”. Is she a patient too? Personality Disorder? Bipolar? One moment she’s friendly and the next she’s too bothered to speak with me. Is it such a demanding job in that handling only a few patients a day becomes a stressful endeavor?

Yes, she’s the first person you meet and if it were not for being referred to Dr. Sandman as the area resident expert, I would not have remained with him these past 4+ years. Phone calls are also a significant “bother” of her time. I called the other day and asked if she was going to call me the day before to remind me of my appointment and she said “No, I’m not your mother.” How rude. She has no idea what I’m seeing the doctor for, and though it’s none of her business (thankfully), that was NOT the right thing to say to a patient.

Doctor Sandman needs to find a better, personable, competent receptionist. One that is both friendly and helpful.

After having said all of this, I want to give two thumbs up for Dr. Lester Sandman. I’ve had numerous psychiatrists over the past 10 years who’ve not provided his insightful, knowledgeable, and helpful assistance as the true professional he is. His patience with me (and I’m unfortunately a difficult case) is admirable and worthy of due accolades.

If you require a psychiatrist and are in the Bellevue, Washington area, he’s the doctor to see. Just ignore (if you can) the receptionist and you’re on your way to significantly better mental health. I can’t recommend him more if I tried. SEE HIM NOW!!!

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EtJa

Joined 4 years ago

Good Doc, office staff needs refinement. I agree with the other reviews that the staff and Doc are a bit much to deal with. The office manager can be down right difficult. This is a doctor whose main job is to help people with various mental disorders right? Then the person with whom you deal with the most should be supportive, understanding and empathetic. Instead instead she can sometimes do the exact opposite, while making you feel as if you are disrupting her daily routine. There have also been times, however, when she can really be helpful and pleasant. It is confusing. I had another member of my family deal with her and says it was a frustrating and discouraging experience. They also charged us for working with them to get the right medication to the right pharmacy, etc. ? What!?

Dr. Sandman can also be cold at times, but he knows his stuff. He is not someone from whom you should seek counseling, but he knows medication in and out. He helped me change from my previous medication that might have actually been making things worse, to another that has been extremely beneficial to me. So, in short, I am not sure exactly how to rate this doctor. I get anxiety whenever I have to go there, not good right? I think I would like to look for someone else, but am not sure I will find someone who is that knowledgeable about prescribing the right medication needed. Any suggestions in the greater Seattle area?

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plaa

Joined 4 years ago

So Grateful for Dr. Sandman’s Expertise & Care. I’ve been incredibly grateful for Dr. Sandman’s gentle & grounded expertise, & well-prescribed care. I’m thrilled how quickly he hit-the-nail-on-the-head regarding my diagnosis. He gradually altered my meds & detoxed me of wrong prescriptions I’ve taken over the past 20 years which had actually caused me depression & anxiety. It’s like a rebirth & second lease on life. I’m not fully “there”, but I know without a doubt I’m on the right track to being a more whole & happy person. ---

Although I can understand the couple reviews that gave him, his staff, & his policies a thumbs-down… I see it in a different light. To be sure, it took a bit of warm-up time; I felt this to be my responsibility as well as theirs. In time I’ve found Dr. Sandman’s assistant to be very helpful & delightful. Dr. Sandman was a bit cool at first but he zeroed in on my issues which indeed were my reasons for being there. His warmth, humor, & compassion definitely surfaced in time…he simply is a more quiet, grounded, & subtle person than many. Considering the clientele… better to have a calm demeanor & office than an excitable one. ---

I don’t have a problem with the amount you need to pay for services beyond your appointments. For instance: 1) they do not charge for quick inquires, 2) we all have a right to be paid for additional services which are outside of each appointment, 3) patients which go for psychiatric care are often more needy & require additional contact between appointments; this keeps unnecessary & time consuming calls at bay. This is just smart business. ---

Thumbs up all the way. I would recommend him in a heartbeat; he’s given me a new lease on life.

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35790

Joined 4 years ago

Dr. Lester Sandman, Psychiatrist, best in field for medication for depression and etc.. Dr. Sandman MD is a psychiatrist that does medications only and no counseling. He is outstanding and well known to be one of the best in his field to treat with medication. Sometimes it is difficult that he does not do counseling, as he does not know what is going on with me. He seems more interested in how many times I take a certain medication and how I feel on the medications.

Up on meeting him in the beginning he seems cold and rarely smiles, maybe this is from his military training. He needs to loosen up!

I agree with the remarks regarding the receptionist. She can be very rude and abrupt and says she is too busy. In this type of office the receptionist needs to be helpful, smile, be the patient advocate, after all we are the client. Her salary comes from the patient visit. She does not like to be bothered with questions for Dr. Sandman or refills of RX's. They do charge to call the pharmacy for medications and refills.

I am uncomfortable calling the receptionist with questions for Dr. Sandman that I feel important.

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Charlesincharge1961

Joined 4 years ago

Dr. Sandman is a real pro, well schooled, bright, and committed to excellence.. The other review is accurate. However, I'd throw a modicum of grace over their review. I will agree, Dr. S needs to up-grade his office, in every way, right done to the furniture, carpet, and the lack of openess between the waiting area and the receptionist desk. If he did he would be miles ahead. As the other reviewer said, it would thenmatch his excellent work, and his amazing wealth of knowledge. He is first class, and likely the best in his field.

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elselsels

Joined 5 years ago

Beware: Awful staff and policies. Intelligent and insightful doctor.. Dr Sandman is good. He is initially cold, and generally acts distant, but will very occasionally show his sense of humor. The office policies are terrible. They recently instituted a fee so that every time you call for anything other than to schedule an appt, they charge you $30. Also, they will not phone or fax out prescriptions without fees. The receptionist sits there with her light box, trying to become happier. Let's just say she needs it. Desperately. She is consistently cold and often rude. I dread going to the office. I think she just doesn't have good social skills. I have seen her be rude to others as well.

I expect better from Dr Sandman- an office for mentally ill people needs to have a mentally healthy staff, and the entire staff should be focused on making people feel better. Medicine is great, but good bedside manner can make a huge difference. It is sad that Sandman is handicapped by the setup of his office. With his skills, he could be giving world class treatment.

Doesn't Recommend

hammertoe

Joined 5 years ago

cold staff, disassociated level of service - service level increases with how much you pay. I would not recommend this psychiatrist to anyone. Both the Dr and office manager are difficult to deal with. They are clearly uninterested in getting involved or helping with any situation which requires a modicum of effort or compassion. In trying to deal with the office manager I asked if I had done something to insult her or was asking too much of her and was told that she was busy was all. Aren't we all. I have a family member who requires regular medical care and medication and this office only makes their condition more difficult to manage. I get the feeling that they aren't making enough money off of her and are thus regularly trying to get them to change to a different doctor. I am in the midst of trying to find them a good doctor with a positive bedside manner now. The doctor treated my family member for years without any change while they suffered. Instead of working with them and trying to make them better through different medication or activities they just kept writing scripts for the same pills and collecting a regular paycheck. It wasn't until I personally got involved, did research, and pushed to change the meds and such that my family members condition began to improve. Again, the resistance, cold attitude, elitism, and rudeness here is horrible. Beware of wasting your or their time here and keep looking for a better P-Doc.

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kelawilson

Joined 7 years ago

Great psychiatrist - understands complexities. Dr. Sandman took me a few appointments to warm up to, but I trust and respect him completely now. If you've had adverse reactions to or no help from antidepressants, he is the Doc to see. He understands the complexities and subtleties of various mood disorders, however mild. He takes time to listen and answers questions fully. He's never judgmental, understands the difficulty people have in seeing a psychiatrist. I never have to wait long when I'm there for appt, but it can take a while to get in to see him, esp for initial appt. After that, it's pretty easy. He can seem quite serious and distant at first, but he's a nice guy with a sense of humor.