TMS Therapy – New England Center for Mental Health

Never go here if you value your health and bodily autonomy. I almost lost my life. This place ruined my childhood starting at just 6 years old by giving me heavy medications I did not need for YEARS, and not being honest and upfront about the possible side effects that could be caused. I came to New England Center For Healthy Minds when I was just 6 years old. I had OCD/anxiety, and ADHD. The psychiatrists told my mom over and over how this medication was necessary for my mental health and I just needed to find the “right one”. I would be cycled on and off heavy medications, & rapidly gain 25-50 pounds within a short amount of time, become aggressive and irritable, have mood swings, and more anxiety. My mom was ALWAYS told “oh well she just needs a better diet and more exercise” By the time I was in 3rd grade I had already started getting acne due to the hormones I was unknowingly being pumped with. At 12 years old I went off medication by choice because I finally could verbally express to my mom I “Didn’t feel right”. My Mom gave me the chance to stop taking them and the pounds flew off! I was ecstatic, I was no longer overweight for the first time in my life! I could finally keep up with other kids! I finally wasn’t always out of breath and feeling numb, because on those medications I couldn’t even cry. I didn’t even know what normal felt like until I wasn’t on medication. I didn’t know what it felt like to not be numb, sick, and fat constantly. When I was 16 I unfortunately came once more for medication. I had Judith Cassarella for my provider/prescriber. She is the reason I almost lost my life on a medication I should have never been on. I expressed to Judith how nervous I was asking for medication, stating how I just can’t manage my anxiety, but I really am scared of the side effects and gaining weight. I told her my trauma with my past bullying and experiences with being overweight, and even opened up about bulimia and body dysmorphia. I said how it would severely negatively impact my mental health if I gained any weight. Judith insisted on prescribing me Abilify. She claimed that she completely understood my concerns and stated “on such a low dose of Abilify (5 milligrams) it is impossible to gain weight and the side effects are so mild, I think this would be the perfect medication for you“ I asked persistently if there was any risk of weight gain, and she insisted going as far as to say “The most weight you could possibly gain is only 10 pounds, and with diet and exercise it’s completely avoidable.” I gained over 110 pounds total and almost died, went from 148 - 260. Judith never admitted the weight was caused from the medication and she blamed me completely for “overeating” even though I told her from the beginning I was gaining 5-10 pounds per month. she blamed the first 20 on "holidays" and "being happier". I gained 60 by being on Abilify for 9 months and gained an additional 40 pounds after due to insulin resistance and high blood sugar/cortisol from medication. Judith clearly knew insulin resistance was a possibility due to the fact she suggested (never prescribed) metformin during our last in person appointment when I had gained 10-15 pounds claiming it could help weight management. I got misdiagnosed with PCOS at an endocrinologist because Judith was not honest that it was the medication. I was just severely insulin resistant. I was only 16 and have still not recovered from the pain and trauma I went through then and at the age of 6 at the hands of this place and these providers. As a 20 year old woman now I have lost over 125 pounds naturally using an inositol supplement for my insulin resistance and continuing to eat a low carb high protein diet with natural whole foods, and exercising. My mental health improved significantly with meditation, therapy, and learning coping mechanisms. Please run from this place and if Judith is your provider RUN. It’s scary to know this place does not inform you of the black box label warnings, life ruining side effects, and even risks of death!

Either your phones are broken or your receptionist is incredibly busy or lazy.

The lack of customer service is appalling. It's impossible to get a receptionist on the phone, and when you do, they are rude, unprofessional and act as if you are an inconvenience.