Psychiatric Wellness Center - Bakersfield, California

Everardo O.

The psychiatrist hung up on me because I was outside and it was dark but she could still hear me and see my face and they still prescribed me Respiridone at the pharmacy after I told her to not prescribe it to me ever again. The Respiridone makes my mouth dry and also disrupts the bacteria of the saliva that is why I never wanted to drink that medicine anymore. Ruby Ramos usually listens to me but she just didn't that day. I also get forcefeeded by my parents the Respiridone even tho I told them why I didn't want to drink that medicine anymore. My parents abuse everything in this house and also don't respect me. I also never got a job because the lady interviewing me wanted me not to drink medicine from the psychiatrist to be my complete self to even work.

clarissa L.

I’m extremely upset that they will push to have appointments over Telehealth where the appointment will be 5 minutes at most, feel rushed to the point that it feels like they just want to get people in and out, and where the psychiatrists don’t seem to care to be there. I’ve since decided to go to a new place, but Psychiatric Wellness Center will not send me my medical records. It has been almost impossible to get on a call with the person in charge of records. The front office will tell me she is there and available, but when I get transferred it goes to voicemail. This has been the absolute most frustrating experience I’ve had with any medical office.

Natalie R.

Dr. Bhurgri is an awesome psych! I went to him when I first had early symptoms of depression. He listened to me and my concerns. He knows a lot of the new medications and technology available for mental health. He introduced me to TMS. I have done is twice now and have noticed more positive improvement each time I've done it! I couldn't recommend TMS more. It really works.

R P.

This is a very generous two-star review. I had an appointment at 8 am, so that is my woe story for today. I do not usually come into the office this early. I am proud of my punctuality, so I arrived early by a few minutes.

The sign on the door said they opened at 8:30 am. I have ambulatory issues, so I did not check the door. Five to seven minutes passed before someone else went through the door. I entered shortly after and spoke to the receptionist about the problem with their sign. The response was, "Oh yeah, it has been like that for a long time; we've had many people tell us about that."

A short time later, I saw my therapist and voiced the same complaint. Part of her response was to give pushback on my complaint that contained the statement, "That is not my department." It went downhill from there. If she had just said, "I pass it along," there would not have been a disagreement.

Part of my treatment is that I am very judgemental. I could not help but infer from her response that she did not need this job. I've seen this therapist twice now and so far I am not feeling the chemistry that I feel is needed for good therapy. We will see what the future holds, and my review will reflect that.

Fabian C.

I’m deeply disappointed with my experience with the Psychiatric Wellness Center. Over the past two days, I’ve called twice, only to be placed on hold for an unreasonably long time. Yesterday, I waited nearly 25 minutes, and today, after holding for over 30 minutes, I had no choice but to hang up.

This is especially troubling given that this is a mental health facility where timely and compassionate communication should be a priority. For those of us reaching out for help, this kind of service—or lack thereof—is disheartening and unacceptable.

I had high hopes for this center as a place to help improve my mental health, but this experience has left me with serious doubts. No one seeking mental health support should have to deal with this level of frustration. It’s clear something needs to change here to ensure others aren’t met with the same discouraging experience.

Frank

I have had an extremely upsetting and awful experience trying to get my elderly mother a first appointment at this location. Twice now they wait until the day of the appointment to call and cancel on us with little explanation or care. The receptionists are dispassionate and fast talking (good luck understanding their light speed babbling), and you get the impression that patients are being processed like cattle. They try really hard to get you to agree to remote appointments. They really don't want to see you in person. I can only surmise that a video call is more profitable for them. I will not go through the hassle of making a third appointment that they will inevitably cancel at the last minute again. This whole experience was extremely upsetting, and from a place that is supposed to help with your mental health no less. Thank you very much indeed.

P.S. 20 minutes after I posted this review they responded with what is clearly a canned, perfunctory (perhaps even AI generated) response that upsets me even more. Check it out.

Tiff

I was nervous to make the appointment as well as speak with a male provider (as a woman). I had my first appointment with Dr Bhurgri and he was very thorough, easy to talk to and kind. I was also very impressed with how professional and quick the office staff was. Overall, a great experience and would recommend this office

Penny S.

After my experience with this office I am searching for someone else. I have been on the same meds for 8 years with no changes and no changes needed. I can only get 20 days at a time of standard meds (not controlled substances). They force you to see their nurse practitioner because it’s supposedly cheaper, yet I get random bills. I can’t get my meds refilled on time no matter how many times I call, and half the time it’s the wrong dosage.

I requested to switch to see Dr B and it wasn’t until my husband told Dr B about all the issues I’ve been having with getting my meds that I got a call back from the clinical manager promising to look into it. I never heard back.

I’m done with these people. If I can’t find someone in Bakersfield, I’ll drive to Santa Clarita. If they can’t fill meds effectively they shouldn’t be in business.

As an update: I just spent 6 minutes on hold, got hung up on, and then when I called back, someone answered right away.

It’s just a very poorly run practice.