Pamela Velardi, FNP-BC

Title says it all. What a terrible experience. For someone in this type of profession to be so cold and mean-natured towards patients - especially ones who may be especially struggling - just sucks. This whole experience with NP (she’s not a doctor) Velardi was disappointing to say the least. Definitely gives NPs a bad name. Glad my insurance allows me to actually go see a doctor.

First of all, she did not confirm my name or DOB, just jumped right in asking me for details on who was previously prescribing my medications. She then spends several minutes googling my old psychiatrist and essentially accusing me of lying because this doctor is not in my state (news flash, you can hold licenses in multiple states!). She then says she needs to call my pharmacy and confirm that this doctor was prescribing my medication. If I was taking a controlled substance, sure, make sure my facts make sense. But I was simply trying to get a refill of my antidepressants, which I could have shown her the bottle of if she asked. She also referred to me multiple times by a job title that is not mine despite numerous corrections. She had an extremely condescending tone and essentially I decided to end the call without completing the appointment because I was not going to sit there and be spoken to like that for any longer.

She was argumentative, actively being rude, and condescending. When I didn't understand a question she was asking and I wasn't giving the right answer, it just made her more rude. If I clarified something she said, she would say I don't have to explain myself. It was clear she didn't know what she was doing, and taking it out on me. When I had enough and said that she was being rude, she said we are not a good fit, have a nice day, and hung up the session on me. I have never been treated so poorly in my life for mental health. She saw me crying from how she was treating me, and just had a smug look on her face.

My experience with NP Velardi highly echos that of other reviews posted here. Very condescending in nature, short tempered, and a complete disregard for patients in her chosen profession. During the initial video call she asked a series of questions to which I provided basic answers. She did not seem happy with this and wanted more details and became short fused at my answers (This is very contrary to another review posted here in which she claims she is only allotted a certain amount of time for each patient). There is nothing you as a patient can do to please this person. In some sort of twisted way she continues beating down on patients who are already down for her own self-gratification. How she is licensed to practice and is continuing to practice highlights everything wrong with the healthcare system.

This woman should NOT be working in any field that requires a modicum of empathy, compassion or patience. The fact that she is a mental health practitioner is mind-boggling! She was rushed, condescending and dismissive. She didn’t seem to have basic knowledge of trauma responses. I was assisting my grown daughter who has intellectual disabilities with this call (per my daughter’s request as she was an older child adoption and English is her second language, so sometimes terminology can be confusing for her.) I left the room shortly after the call began because I was so uncomfortable with Vilardi’s tone and wanted my daughter to have privacy. I was harshly called back into the room by her to ask if I had limited conservatorship. When I said that we did not think that was necessary, she said then my daughter didn’t need my opinion to have meds adjusted. ZERO desire to learn about my daughter’s history. The call ended and I was flabbergasted, wondering what had just happened. TERRIBLE.

When I first started seeing Pamela I was on addictive medication. Pamela worked very hard to explain why the medication would harm me in the long run and worked with me to get alternative medication. Pamela has always been respectful, professional, and understanding.

I was surprised to see so many negative reviews. My experience was quite positive. Was the appointment quick, direct, and straight to the point? Yes. But I appreciate that. Sometimes a tough-love approach is needed for someone like me with intense anxiety. I didn’t feel discounted when being told that I was overthinking my diagnosis or symptoms. I know she just wants to help.I honestly think other reviews expect her to act a certain way according to them. In my experience, I appreciate her honesty and confidence in my treatment. She provided me with great alternative resources for care other than just medication.Although my treatment is still new (2 weeks on this medication), I am confident that we will develop a strong plan to treat my mental health.I felt as though Pamela just knew what was making my symptoms worse or better, and was straightforward in what was being done wrong, and what was being done right. Open your mind and maybe her care is your speed.

There is a big problem in the healthcare system, and this person represents it to a T. How can this person still be employed with this many bad reviews? I was very frustrated by my experience with her- but now even more angry to see so many people have had the same and they continue to refer her to others. She acted frustrated when I asked her to evaluate me for particular disorders, accused me of lying in answer to her questions, told me that i shouldn't quibble with 'Semantics'- when i was trying to understand her question and how I should respond- and made many judgmental and rude comments to me about my substance use- when that was the reason I was seeking help and support. She told me she thought I was manic because I was doing PT for my recently operated knee while talking to her. Seeking out mental health care is a vulnerable and anxiety-producing experience, and this person validates everyone's fears about worst case scenarios.

Worst doctor ever she’s being reported! She should not be practicing and will be getting consequences. She is horrible and not out to help people.

Don’t go with her she’s the worst and will criticize you. I cannot believe how she ended up being a psychiatrist if she doesn’t know how to listen and she doesn’t even show emotion. She keeps rolling her eyes, raising her voice. Called me a liar. Honestly, I feel like she doesn’t know how to do her job. so please don’t schedule with her. PS. I hope she don’t lose her job.

We finally met in person. Wonderful and very compassionate person. Thank you.

The rudest most dismissive medical professional I've worked with. She got angry with me for not giving her the info she needed even though she didn't ask me any questions.

Very rude and not understanding at all. When you try to explain how you are feeling she really rude and not caring at all. Horrible experience

I went to see Pamela for treatment of adhd. It is true that she is direct, but I appreciate that, I don’t like dancing around uncomfortable things, much better to get right to the point, she has not once wasted my time on a video appt or in person visit. I always leave feeling like my needs were addressed, all questions were answered, and me having a more better understanding of the condition overall, thanks Pamela!

Seeing a new psych practitioner of any kind can be an anxiety-inducing experience, and seeing Pamela Velardi was that - to the max. Rushed, rude, dismissive and condescending, she is pretty much the last person I would entrust my mental health to. I hope for myself and everyone else reading this that better help is out there!

This woman is very rude and inconsiderate. She had immediately diagnosed me with ADHD with only simple questions, and invalidated my anxiety for she did not "see me fidgeting" through the screen when I was only showing my face while I was fidgeting below the camera. She provided no information about the medication I was given and the medication made me extremely depressed. She was also constantly rolling her eyes towards my mom when she was just asking questions for my safety. I would not recommend this woman to anyone, she does not care and rushes her appointments. She does not deserve to be in the mental health field for she is very inconsiderate, and she has caused me to have trust issues for my future appointments with different psychiatrists. No one can be worse than her.

My visits were the same as many others who were disappointed. She put me on the wrong meds, but she insisted they were going to work. They didn't. They agitated me, body and brain, leaving me anxious and unsettled. I actually went back to smoking weed for relief, which is why I went to her for support in the first place. She is a dud, not effective, but she THINKS she is, and that's dangerous. Oh, I do see narcissism in her. She's not pleasant, acts like she hates her job and the people she treats. I'll never go back, never call, never say why. Bottom line, do not make an appointment with her.

I just did a video visit with this person. I could not believe how incredibly disrespectful she is and wonder why she bothers being in this field. She needs to either retire or be pushed out of this field as she is not good at her job. How can someone who deals with mental health issues be so judgmental, rude and abrasive? I provided my experience with Kaiser, and she basically called me a liar. She asked me questions from her checklist, and if I offered more information, she cut me off saying I am going off topic and need to stick to the questions. Every time I answered, she wrote whatever it was down and would slam her pen onto the desk. She prescribed me a medication I had never heard about before, so I told her that. Rather than telling me about the medication, she said well I know what it is and I prescribe it all the time. I cut the appointment early because there is no way in heck I would ever want to work with her again.

I only had one appointment with her but by the end i was in visible tears due to her demeaning comments and condescending nature during the whole hour-long session. I’ve struggled with Anxiety, Depression, and possible bi-polar type 2 (one of the reasons i was interested in talking to a psych) since HS, and it felt like she just Didn’t believe me?? Because i don’t go out and commit crimes or do hard drugs/drink or w/e when i’m not doing well i’m not really mentally ill? She made me feel stupid for not remembering medications i took 2 years ago off the top of my head, and even moreso b/c i can’t get the records from my previous psych. Additionally, she kept talking over me while i was trying to explain things, and then when i stopped trying to explain & give yes/no answers (like she asked) she kept criticizing me for not giving enough details, and then would comment when i took too long, like i was wasting her time. Seriously one of the rudest ppl i’ve ever come across, avoid her!!

Pamela Velardi provided one of the worst experiences for psychological evaluation I will likely ever have. This provider should not be seen by ANYONE. Horrible manners, very rude, judgemental, did not listen to anything I said, interrupted me many times during the eval, rushed diagnosis of my conditions, dismissive, megalomaniac, improperly diagnosed me, very cold, uncaring, seemed like she had more important things to do. Do not, under any circumstances, take anything this provider says seriously. Better yet, do not see this provider at all.