Dr. Penelope Hooks, MD

Dr. Hooks was my first experience with mental healthcare. I had been struggling with depression-like feelings for over a year, and finally sought help. Our initial meeting made me feel horrible - she said that if I was spending my 20s saving the world, getting married, and having babies instead of having a career I would be happier. The first words out of her mouth were "why are you here, you're 25, you should be out having fun and enjoying life, wanting to change the world!" Needless to say, I did not seek another appointment with her. I found her dismissive and rude, and she continuously interrupted me as I tried to tell her my feelings. Perhaps her therapy style works for others, but for me it set me back in seeking help, as I felt that maybe I was just making everything up and wasting my life as she said.

She was rude and harsh immediately, accusatory and very judgmental. When I asked her about the side effects of a med she was planning on prescribing me she not only made fun of me, but did not tell me. The side effects ended up being debilitating and extremely unsafe. This woman is a bad doctor at best, and a threat to safety at worst.