Richard E Madden, LCSW

I called Dr. Madden to schedule a session to help resolve some family conflict issues. He called me back quickly, and, a...fter describing his preferred approach (which I really liked) and getting a sense of his communication style and educational background, I felt very good about the prospects for healing my family with his help. We discussed the possibility of meeting on a Sunday at his branch office in Albany, where, per his words, he normally sees clients on the weekend, and where he had another appointment scheduled that afternoon. When I called back to make the appointment for the time slot directly following his other appointment, Dr. Madden demanded 100% payment up front for a 3 hour session - despite the fact that we've never even met. When I expressed reluctance to pay up front, He claimed that he didn't want to drive 30 minutes to Albany, then have us not show up, then have to drive 30 minutes back to Catskill.

When I told him that I never had to pay up front before, he immediately interrupted me mid-sentence, accused me of being "inexperienced" and that I would very hard pressed to find another clinician who can/would perform the same services he provides on a weekend. He also claimed his rates were very reasonable, comparing them to NYC rates, not rates in Catskill or Albany. When asked about the earlier appointment before ours, he quickly ended the call and sincerely wished me luck.

I found this interaction very dishonest and some of the things he said to me very disrespectful. While he might have had good intentions, and might be a knowledgeable and honest person in general, this interaction was quite clearly not the way for him to establish trust with a new client, and it just seems to me that he'd be the type of therapist who would forget himself and be less than sufficiently careful with what he says and how he communicates with clients, which could really backfire in a clinical situation. I can only say that I believe I dodged a bullet. more details