I visited this Dr in 2014, and just came across an old prescription bottle. I still have nightmares of my visit with her. Within 15 minutes of meeting with her she diagnosed me as bi-polar. I was confused by this diagnosis and asked a few questions, she got very aggressive started down a path of situations that didn't have anything to do with why I was there. She has a serious chip on her shoulder about men and told me if I had concerns about my relationship I would need these meds or I would end up in Vegas selling myself for sex. It was completely bizarre and I was horrified. I had been in a 10 year relationship with zero thoughts of ever having an affair OR going to Vegas. She accused me of being a compulsive spender when she asked if I shopped and my response was that I don't really buy much of anything except groceries and home repair items at Lowes. It was as if she was in a different place dealing with her own issues vs listening to mine. I had never had any previous issues or needs for medication, I went to see her because I was feeling a bit depressed. I took the meds she prescribed for bi-polar and was so sick and dysfunctional the next day I couldn't even get myself to the bathroom. I fell down the stairs trying to get to the phone to call for help. Obviously these were the wrong meds for me. It took two days to get out of my system. When I told her about it she prescribed something used to treat Parkinson's and muscle spasms for anti psych drugs. WHAT? I was 32 years old and 110 pounds, completely healthy and had not taken any previous meds or been diagnosed with any previous mental conditions. I saw a real Dr. and was prescribed something for light depression and have been fine ever since. I continue to be concerned this bogus diagnosis will come up on my medical history and cause concerns. This Dr is angry and bitter about something and taking it out on her patients, other people stories seem to mirror mine which makes me wonder if this person really knows what she is doing or abusing her privileges. In short, always get a second opinion if you feel something isn't right, you know yourself better than anyone who meets you in 15 minutes.

Submitted Oct. 8, 2019

This woman is horrible! I saw her for medication. I had some issues and she told me she was going to put my on some anti-psychotic medications and I was not psychotic. I had left her some messages stating my concerns. When I arrived for my appt she took me back and I told her my husband did not want me on that med. She went off. She told me to tell my husband to go f*** himself and continued to scream at me to the point that her staff came and escorted me out of the building like I was the threat. I had remained calm the entire time. She needs some of those meds she prescribes. Unforunately, she now works at MCV which stinks because that is a good hospital.

Submitted July 25, 2019

It's been years since I have been to this woman but I'm glad I looked her back up to see all of these reviews from people. I had just gotten out of Tuckers and she was my outpatient service. Within my first visit she switched my diagnosis from having an anxiety/panic disorder to bipolar within the first visit. She wanted me to stop taking the medication I was on for anxiety and switch to the medicine she wanted me on for someone with bipolar/schizophrenia. I was kind of suspicious of the fact that she completely switched everything within one visit, but at that point I was just wanting help. I took the medication the way she told me to on the first night. When I woke up the next morning my whole body and brain felt completely disconnected. I was having suicidal thoughts, which I had never had before. After that I stopped taking the medication because I knew that something wasn't right with the diagnosis. My mother called her to let her know how I was reacting to the medication and she told my mother that I needed to take the anxiety medication, (which she told me I didn't need), to take the edge off of the one she had prescribed. I stuck only to my anxiety medication and when I went back for the follow up visit, she asked me how the medication she prescribed was doing. When I told her that I had stopped taking the medication she had prescribed she immediately got defensive and said that if I wasn't going to take the medication that she prescribed, then she was no longer going to refill my anxiety medication and also release me as a patient. She also went on a long rant about how she had been doing this for years and she knew what she was talking about. I thanked her for her time and shook her hand and walked straight out of that office and never returned. I would never recommend this woman to help anyone when it comes to your psychiatric health. Its sad to know that there are people working in the medical field like this. Thankfully, I was able to find the right help eventually and got my life back on track, which I know for sure wouldn't have happened if I wouldn't have stuck up for myself.

Submitted Feb. 9, 2017

I personally had good a experience with Dr. Maccabee. She help me to get through a horrific time in my life. She talked to me and actully listen Explained what I was going through, with reassurance that everything would be ok with Treatment and counseling

Submitted Oct. 27, 2014

Wow! My experience was similar to others posted here. Joanna decided I was bipolar after a 45-min chat and presribed heavy drugs to me as well. When I returned to let her know I felt the diagnosis was incorrect, I would not take the meds, and tried to discuss alternatives, she became upset with me, too, and basically showed me to the door suggesting I work with someone else. But not before recommending I work with a drug rehab center to get off the Xanax I've taken for years. Through my own internet research, I found an alternative for Xanax and got a prescription from my PCP for 30 days. Now I have to find another psychiatrist to continue working with but it won't be Joanna! BTW, she's leaving the practice to teach at VCU. I hope her students have more common sense than she does!

Submitted Dec. 27, 2013

After 45 minutes of mild proactive needs, a prescription for a heavy mind altering drug was prescribed with out much information on what the effects and changes would be. My concerns were met with hostility and basically told to go elsewhere if I didn't want that plan. Please research your options and meds before taking them. Coming off of them can be painful and they may not help assist with it.

Submitted Dec. 13, 2013

I really like Joanna. She listened to everything I had to say and she didn't judge me. She prescribed medicine and I have a follow-up appointment. Seemed like an extremely caring person. I could tell her what was going on and not feel like I was a bad person. VERY important!

Submitted Oct. 18, 2013

While I have never been to a hospital nor have I seen a psychiatrist before, I've been very pleased with Joanna. She definitely takes the time to talk to you, listen to what you're saying and discuss the medicines she's giving, the reasons and possible effects. I've never found her to be more than 5 minutes late and while she doesn't spend a ton of time with me, I don't expect her to. That's the reason I have a counselor to listen to all the crazy thoughts in my head. Joanna definitely does seem to take an interest in me, whats going on and why I may feel a certain way. Rather than automatically adjusting my medicines she suggests other ways to help with the feelings/anxiety.

Submitted Sept. 15, 2013

She was recommended by "exit interview" from Tuckers. She spent over an hour during my first visit. I think it's like all psychiatrist-related professionals: you either click or you don't. She has tweaked and changed some of my meds but nothing drastic. She breaks out "her book" to show me what is said about a med, not to learn about t. She has been the only person in the field that explains to me how the meds interact with each and with other meds I take for other conditions. She's never on time - I don't expect her to be just like I don't expect any other doctor to be. I walk with a walker - the office staff have never helped me up the badly-positioned and steep ramp or held open the door as they see me struggle with it.

Submitted Sept. 11, 2013

Submitted May 30, 2013