Dr. Shalini Chawla, MD

My husband was under the care of Doctor Chawla for a couple of years. When the COVID pandemic disrupted the world she switched to telehealth visits. After several of those she seemed to disappear from the planet never to be heard from again, and she abruptly stopped renewing the prescription meds he was on with the pharmacy with no explanation or contact with him or me. His health began to decline with frequent falling incidents resulting in many trips to the emergency room. I’m totally disgusted by her disengagement with his care.

My appointments were always less than 5 minutes, the Dr never seemed to care or have any interest in my well being, but her office staff are even worse. Have been begging her finance person? Office manager for MONTHS to refund me a co-pay that they OVERCHARGED me, as proved to them multiple times by my insurance. They now simply don’t respond or hang up. To SOME people a copay may make a HUGE difference in their finances. Rude, snooty, indifferent and uncaring!

I've been seeing Monica Conway for some time now and she's been very helpful. I'm in more of a maintenance stage of mental health and Monica has been super attentive and easy to talk to. If you're looking for someone who really listens and wants to problem solve I'd strongly recommend seeing Monica Conway.

I found it mind blowing that she asked me two sessions in a row if I was still taking a medication which I asked her to stop prescribing (which she did). My quarrels are more with her desk lady, Arianna. I don’t know how someone so mean and incompetent is allowed to deal with mental health patients. I’ve had several encounters that left me with a bad taste in my mouth. When trying to clear up a process with her on why my prescription wasn’t going through she cut me off and said “No. no. You’re not listening”. She will say things in confusing ways and then later take back what was said. I really wish I could attach email threads here. The last straw was when one day she called me 10 minutes before my appt (usually hours before) to confirm through a GOOGLE NUMBER (also new shenanigan) sent directly to spam. Guess what? I didn’t get that phone call and no subsequent appointment call either. $100 no-show fee popped up. Called 5 days in a row with messages. Finally had to file a claim.

My child saw the nurse practitioner Monica Conway and it was ABSOLUTELY AWFUL! After 15min of our virtual appointment, I ended the call with her. I know connecting with patients via zoom is hard but I know it can be done. This lady never even looked at the computer screen to try and connect with my child. She kept asking “Do you want to hurt yourself or end your life?” and not once attempted to look at the computer screen. She was looking at another computer and typing. When you ask something this personal to a child you need to look at them. I immediately called the office to tell them how disappointed I was and how Monica should never be allowed to work with children. I told them I need to speak to someone in billing because I do not want to be charged $400 for this session. They still charged me and refuse to contact me to resolve this issue. Now I want to make sure other people don’t visit this office.

Like most patients have noted, she is never on time for her appointments. And now that they have to be via phone or zoom, she takes her time sending prescriptions to the pharmacy. So in addition to paying such high rates, I haven't even been able to fill my script since speaking with her which is utterly ridiculous.

I’ve been a patient for more than 5 years. Growing up, I was angry @ the world—basically I took this out on myself (also on family +some teachers/clinicians). Besides the Dr who initially diagnosed me, Dr C is 1 of the best physicians I’ve had. Im more confident + generally happy. Even w/ a waiting list, Dr C offered 2 keep me as a sliding scale pt before I was working full-time. I was robbed at gunpoint last year—I called Dr C + my Rx (controlled) was ready in 48 hrs—in retrospect, this minimized the impact this may have had. I was prescribed an antidepressant to help me get over that incident, + it’s now helping w/ COVID (+ maybe w/stuff I already had?). Dr C referred me 2 2 therapists—1 specialized in ADD, though both are great. Dr C is cautious, but has titrated my meds—though I was already stable, I feel this improved my quality of life. I work with NPs at my job...recently this has made me grateful I found Dr C. If Dr Cs not taking pts, try her referrals. U will be grateful 2

This doctor will judge you very strongly by using her face and with other smirks of disgust and the way she talked to me made me feel less than. Other than always running behind she offhandedly made a diagnosis for a significant other after describing that person very briefly like, "oh maybe he's bipolar..." Such a remark made me question whether she was sure about my diagnosis or did she make the same rash decision when diagnosing me. Totally turned off but her arrogance. Do yourself a favor and find someone else. Don't even try to see for yourself because you'll regret it.

I should have absolutely read the reviews before coming to "see" Dr. Chawla. I put "see" because I didn't even get past her waiting area. I came in 5 minutes before I was to start my appt. talked to her office manager because I had a couple of questions on the forms. I filled them out and was done by 12:21 and my appt was at 12:20, I knew doctors especially in the mental health field can run a little behind (not an issue) but I only had an hour give or take 10 minutes for a lunch time appt. Well I sat there for 30 minutes with not a peep from the staff saying oh hey we are running late happy to reschedule if this doesn't work. I went up and got a very blanket "I am sorry she is late but she needs to see patients longer if they need it" and proceeded to tell me she wouldn't be ready for another 20 minutes..... 50 minutes after my scheduled appt. No thanks, I am not going to a doctor who doesn't value ALL her patients time. tip: If you have OCD possible triggering material in the waiting

Always always late, and plays spin the wheel when prescribing medications. Two of these have sent my child to the emergency room. We are changing doctors.

Terrible

I wish I had seen these reviews before making an appointment with her. I waited 40 minutes past my appointment time and when I did finally go back Dr. Chawla’s secretary took me back. Dr. Chawla did not stand or shake my hand or greet me when I entered her office. She is cold and rude and not welcoming to new patients.I have since found a fantastic Dr. After the first few minutes with her I knew I would never go back. She is an embarrassment to the world of psychiatry.

I used to love coming to see Chawla, but her staff has gone to absolute garbage and cannot keep anything straight. Appointments are often 30+ minutes late at a minimum and good luck scheduling an emergency appointment. Patty has consistently made mistakes in billing that are unacceptable. The staff is going to eventually push us away from the practice at this rate.

Please save yourself from this chaotic mess. It’s blatantly obvious Dr. Chawla’s only motive is money - she clearly overbooks on purpose... I was just forced to pay $150 for an appointment she never even showed up to (literally). On top of that, she is cold, rude, and acts overall disinterested. Please trust the other honest reviewers on here about this woman. I wish I would have.

Dr Chawla is never on time and has never called me back when I have left a message concerning my child. Considering my child is taking a prescription medication for anxiety, I find this irresponsible and unprofessional.. The way the office is set up does not allow for private conversations with the receptionist. I am finding another practice.

I saw Dr. Chawla for 6 months. In that time she ran between 40 minutes to an hour late for each appointment. Her staff never call ahead to let me know that she was running late, and they never apologized for the wait. She does not give out a direct phone number, only the number to her office locations, neither of which have answering services set up when the office is closed. So, if you have an emergency, or would like to leave any message outside of office hours you are not able to.

I 100% agree with those who spoke of her awful bedside manner. She does not stand up, greet you, and barely looks at you. She basically told me my previous doctors were medicating me wrong, when I feel the best I have ever felt on what they prescribed. I wish there was someone else I could notify, but I really wanted to leave a review for the next person to be aware.

Dr. Chawla is talented. If you feel intimidated by her steely personality, that's normal. I've been seeing her for 3 years, and I was a little intimidated by her demeanor at first. But she's a psychiatrist, not a therapist - big difference. While manifesting a no-nonsense, all-business style may seem cold, she's sharp, intuitive, reliable, and has impeccable foresight. Where she may lack in warmth, she's the rare breed of competency you want in your corner when the chips are down. Guaranteed.

Dr.Chawlas office is unorganized. It's typical to wait 30min to an hour past your scheduled appointment. Then when your with her it's a rushed appointment with very few questions or engagement. If you need a refill it takes awhile plus they charge you. If your in need of medical records or anything else good luck.

My overall impression was that Dr Chawla did not much care about getting to know me or my issues and was very cold, non-informative, almost condescending. She seemed almost bothered that I was there and did not take any time to explain the process. Her overall attitude was one of what's wrong with you, why don't you just try X. I went specifically because she mentions dealing with chronic pain and she was clueless about the issue. I do not believe the list of her specialties is accurate.