LifeStance Health Avis 1 888

I had been seeing an ok psychiatrist and a phenomenal therapist for a few years. My beef is with Lifestance as a whole, and their predatory business strategy to turn something as delicate as mental health into a one-size-fits-all corporate money grab.

Issue #1 - They will email, text and call you several times to confirm each appointment. If you opt out of their automated harassment, it permanently blocks any further text or email so you cannot sign forms or correspond about your care at all, except for in the patient portal. Of course they stopped using the portal in favor of a likely cheaper, useless, and impractical software called Phreesia that emails you a link prior to your appointment. Unless it doesn’t. The link expires after the visit and there is no way to get back in to your profile. This segues perfectly into

Issue #2 - Since they have changed their systems for billing and telehealth several times there was never a clear picture of what my payment was and when I was supposed to pay it until a large balance built up. I take full responsibility for not making my payments, but they have taken NO responsibility for being evasive about what was due and how/when to pay it. At one in-person appointment that they required I attend, the receptionist asked if I wanted to make a payment for the visit. I said yes and she handed me an iPad to go into their maze and figure it out myself! At one point in my treatment, unbeknownst to me my insurance benefits changed my out of pocket expense to be triple what it was previously. If that was made clear to me I would have reduced the number of sessions I scheduled instead of amassing $400 per month in charges. They just kept charging and when the balance became too large, they told me to contact their billing department to set up a payment arrangement. I reached out to their call center, I told them an amount I could pay monthly and I was told I would get a call back from a supervisor, as they would have to give approval. I never received a call back. I called again, and was told there was no payment arrangement that could be made, I had to pay them $X monthly, there were no other options. I told them it was more than I could afford and asked if they could work with me on a slightly lower monthly payment with a longer term. I was told a supervisor would call me back. Again, no one called. I called yet again. They made it clear that there were no other options. I could pay them the amount they chose or they would not allow me to see my wonderful therapist anymore. It was also apparent that no one ever intended to call me back any of these times. It was their way or the highway. I told them that sounded like a lose-lose situation. I would lose my services and then why would I be in a hurry to pay them?

Proceed with caution, they are aware that they have the upper hand and a vulnerable client base.

Dr. Sykes is the best! I very pleased my care

They have made the process easy and straight forward for me. Helped me get the recourses I need and point me to helpfull information. They also have made it easy to help get my family set up for services and have provide quick service.

I was very happy with my therapist and scheduled a second appointment. I had to cancel last minute because my husband had a medical emergency and had to be admitted to the hospital right before my next session. When I spoke to a representative, she was very clear that I would have to pay $100 for a cancellation fee because I did not cancel 48 hours in advance. How the hell was I supposed to know! I will not use them again, nor would I recommend them specifically because of their policy.

Melissa has been exceptional in helping me work thru depression issues. She listens and gives me recommendations on medications, both prescription and over the counter options. I am thankful to have found a partner in my mental health journey.

I had a great experience during my 1st visit with Life stance Health. Checking in was easy, I loved my session with Natasha, she listened and I truly felt heard. Together we came up with a plan that I feel good about.

A few hiccups when signing up but totally worth it. Therapist is first rate and seems to care.

I have enjoyed all of the different therapists I've worked with individually and in groups. The med provider and psychologist that I've worked with are top-notch! I always feel heard and seen.

Great people making a difference

Everyone is very helpful and very knowledgeable about what they are doing in this environment. In my experience, they provide me hope for the future. Absolutely the best people to walk through life with.

LifeStance is a horrible mess. You will never be able to reach a live person because all calls are directed back to their portal. Messages sent over the last week have gone unanswered. Dr Polmann said he had a covering dr checking his portal messages but no response ever occurred. On the phone with the after hours call center for an urgent matter and after 1 hr and 45 min they were not able to get a dr on the phone. Save your life and go elsewhere. They actually deserve 0 stars but that's not an option.

Jenna made me feel comfortable right away and offers a soothing atmosphere. The front office is always so nice and helpful too. A friend recommended this office to me and I couldn't be happier!

It was quick and easy to schedule with Lifestance. I was matched up with a Board Certified Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She was very helpful. I felt like she listened to me and understood my concerns and needs. She took care of me and I am very please with the results.

I’ve been working with this practice for a few years now. They make things easy to schedule, pay balances and have multiple locations. I love the telehealth is an option to keep you connected with your wellness!

My therapist is excellent. Through talking together I got a lot of insight on first visit when we were just getting to know each other. The office staff has been quick to reply, quick to accommodate my request for some changes, and quick to schedule me with a new therapist. Altogether, I find this agency to be excellent.

Paid for service I never received. It is so frustrating to work with their system. They send an email 30 minutes prior to an appointment and it never works. The system glitched first time and I called the mainline to let them know and we couldn’t meet the doctor. Next time I was asked to pay 25 dollars as copay before the appointment which I did 30 minutes before the appointment as soon as I got the email. When I tried to log in again at the appointment it was asking for 100 dollars more and it didn’t let me talk to the doctor unless I paid that 100dollars. It’s a scam, I wonder if the doctors on the other side are even real. Go somewhere else

I noticed a billing issue in August. Reached out to Lifestance at the time. Call center said someone from billing in 2 weeks. Never happened. Called them again. Was told the same thing. This has now been going on for 8 months. They simply will not call me back to answer my questions. I've never been treated this poorly before. It's a shame, my counselor is incredible. But billing there is awful. They're now attempting to re-bill me for appointments that are 16 months old, which I paid 16 months ago, and nobody there will contact me back to answer questions. Seems like there are other reviews that say exactly the same thing.

The NP was very sweet and knowledgeable!
There was a bit of confusion between her and my primary doctor about who was going to prescribe a medication. I had to try and be a middleman and it was frustrating. Still not fixed or decided as far as I know.

Always welcoming and friendly. Very professional and helpful. I love Stephanie Topal and her team. I always leave my appointments in great spirits. I have and will continue to recommend her and your facility.