Akane Institute

"I saw Dr. Nichols for a psychiatric consult, and he was kind, thorough, and went beyond my expectations. I did not think a psychiatrist would spend that much time with me - I had rushed cookie cutter experiences in the past with other psychiatrists who did not take the time to understand me like he did. Michelle and the staff at the front desk were so friendly, welcoming, and quick to get back to me. Even when I thought my insurance wouldn't go through, they made it happen. I highly recommend this practice - even the waiting room is soothing, and the building overlooks beautiful mountains."

"Dr. Karippot is a rude and egotistical "doctor" with a condescending attitude and questionable billing practices. Posting here because even though I was an inpatient patient of his at Scripps Memorial, he tried to bill through this "Akane" institute....which I assume he did to try and get more money out of me and my insurance company (as an out of network provider). When my insurance refused to pay him then he finally retracted those claims and billed as himself. I was an inpatient psychiatric patient and Dr. Karripot was extremely unpleasant to work with...accused me of abusing benzos (not even close to true), making phony notes with "quotes" of things I never even said, claiming that each day he came to see me he provided at least 20+ min of psychotherapy (closer to 5 min, maybe...and I def wouldn't call it psychotherapy), and would make personal digs about me being "ungrateful" or "passive aggressive" simply because I disagreed with him on things about my current situation, or medication. Honestly RUN AS FAR AWAY AS YOU CAN from Dr. Karripot, unless you like crooked, aggressive, rude, and gas lighting psychiatrists."

"I had a virtual visit with Dr. Sharma at the beginning of 2020 and I had notified her of my address change but she failed to document it. Then during the coronavirus pandemic they had billed my old address multiple times but the post office was unable to forward my mail until 9 months later. During that time I didn't receive any communications from their office when they had my contact information, instead they sent my bill to collections and when I received the mail this week I called to explain my situation and they couldn't do anything for me. Terrible service for their patients and absolutely no accountability on their part. Would not recommend their service due to the lack of cooperation and helpfulness to their patients."

"I WAS a patient of Dr. Karippot, the front office is really bad at answering the phone and returning calls, not very professional. I had been prescribed new medications and they were never called into the the Pharmacy. I had made four phone calls to the office with no return call, or meds sent to Pharmacy! No Psychiatrist should leave their patients high and dry when taking meds."

"I had been having breathing issues thinking it was allergies I went and seen Dr. Sharma who then referred me to her husband Dr. Karippot appointment was down in San Diego over 40 miles from home set up initial sleep study and went. Then follow up appointment set for second 2nd sleep study no one showed up. I drove over an hour waited close to 2 hours with another patient no one ever showed up it was after midnight that we waited until. Repeatedly called office no answer. New sleep study done and set follow up appointment. I knew I had some mild/moderate sleep apnea issues. My follow up appointment waited 1hr 45 min to see him. I was frustrated after waiting so long and days before had driven down and waited for the study only to have a no show. Seriously Dr Karippot. At this point, I pulled out his paperwork that said if I missed my sleep study I would be charged $250 and asked him what about his accountability. Mind you I had just waited close to 2 hrs again to see him. He said there were very sick people in his office. I told him give me a break your a sleep Dr. not a surgeon and my time was just as valuable as his. I also questioned the "$350" deposit on machine "in case insurance didn't cover the full machine." Really. I checked pricing online insurance was billed over $1200 and I paid additional $350. I believe insurance paid in $650 range which is what they were without the Dr. prescription. He told me if I had a problem I could go somewhere else. Yes I had a problem but I had already invested hours upon hours dealing with his unprofessional rude self and then acted as if how dare I question the cost. If I couldn't afford it he would recommend other options. Really...again condescending. I said affording was not an issue it was more him and the whole process and how I was really unhappy with his way of handling things. He stepped back out with the machine and "set" so I wouldn't have to figure it out. Upon checking out I was told I would need to come back in 30 days. UM NO NEVER. I also learned he locked settings in it that would keep me coming back to the office. Run from this nonsense. Rude, condescending, never again."