Merriel F. Mandell, PHD 601 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660

"I have decided not to see Dr. Merriel F. Mandell after being referred to her by my doctor. I had called her office on December 15 to make an appointment. When she called me back she let me know should didn't have any openings until the new year. I told her I had an appointment on Jan. 5 with my doctor and would like to do it that day to cut down on time off from work. We agreed I would call back after checking with my doctor's office regarding the time of the appointment. Dr. Mandell said she would put me down for 11am and to call back to confirm once I heard back from my doctor. So, called back on 12/17 and left a message 11am on 1/5/16 was a good time. Today, I got a voicemail from her and then a call. When I had her on the phone she said she was concerned that I might have "memory problems" since I had called her back for the 11am 1/5/16 appointment even though she had me down for 11am already. I really didn't like this exchange and felt it was unprofessional to say she's concerned about my "memory problems". I decided to just cancel the appointment. I have a feeling we wont get along to well if she's making comments like that before meeting me, especially when I followed what we agreed upon (to call back and leave a message after confirming with my doctor's office). I'm concerned she may have memory problems since she doesn't remember telling me to call back and leave a message after I heard back from my doctor. Honestly, seeking counseling is challenging enough, I don't think patients need added judgement and comments like this. Why pay good hard earned money to a "professional" who is just going to misjudge you from the get go? What other judgements or miscommunications will we have? No thanks."