Fenton, Barry J, Md - Live Oak Counseling Ctr

I suffered from major depression. I finally hit a low I never felt before. It scared me because I didn't understand it. I was isolated from the world, intense pressure to work harder for less, no personal relationships and no friends. One day I had thoughts about suicide. I knew about the Oaklawn Counseling Center. I picked up the phone and asked for help. His team rushed me in. Dr. Fenton was waiting to help me. Everyone wants to be understood. Dr. Barry Fenton heard me, he understood me, and he helped ME get MY life back. more

I was referred to Dr. Fenton by the office of my previous psychiatrist, who passed away, for treatement for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder following a motor vehicle accident. I read the reviews here and was somewhat concerned, but decided to trust in the recommendation from an office I knew. more

I was referred to Dr. Fenton by my internist for Depression. I had been on many many medications, have diabetes, and they always seemed to upset my Blood Sugar. I found him to be a kind and courteous doctor who seemed genuinely concerned with my illness. It took a while but eventually he found a good combination of medications that have helped me function normally. His staff can be a little blunt sometimes but they were always helpful to me. I would recommend him to anyone. more

My psychologist had recommended Dr. Fenton so I could get medication for my ADHD. I made the appointment with Dr. Fenton with very little trouble. The day of my visit came and I needed to get better directions to the office and looked him up thru Google. I then came to several reviews that were definitely NOT complimentary to either Dr. Fenton or his staff...the coffee cups in the waiting room were even mentioned. I just about called and cancelled my appointment from all the negatives that had been written, but since my appointment was in less than an hour I decided I would bite the bullet so to speak, and go ahead and then just not make another appointment with him. I went in with a negative attitude, and if it wasn't a negative one, it certainly was not an excited about seeing him attitude. Not after reading the reviews. Well, when I was called back to his office he said to have a seat and he asked if I would like some coffee or anything. No, thank you...I just wanted to get this visit over with and leave. He was in and out of the office for about ten minutes until he finally found his coffee cup. When he did sit down and start talking to me, he sounded just like a very impersonal phychiatrist. He asked why I was there and I told him my psychologistic had diagnosed ADHD and my internist thought I was Bipolar too. He asked more questions and he said after about 30 minutes that I was definitely NOT Bipolar but definitely do have ADHD. He has bent over backwards to get the medication I needed approved, which was no easy feat in itself. He even called me to check on me and my progress with the medication. I feel like he knows what he is doing and what he is talking about and I did not feel he was only there to get money. I am so glad I didn't back out of the appointment like I was sooooo tempted to do. As for the remarks I have read about the tacky office staff. Well, he must have fired every single one of them and gotten a whole new set of employees, because the 4 or 5 ladies I have delt with either in person or on the phone, have been nothing but courteous and helpful. It is amazing how quickly he was able to find these wonderful ladies and get them trained and able to answer any question I had for them. Yup...really amazing!!! As for the coffee cups in the waiting room...I haven't seen any when I have been there, but with a Starbucks a block away, it definitely would not surprise me to see some coffee cups in the waiting room. I guess what I am trying to say is, you are just going to have to judge for yourself. The only problem I have had is when he was running a couple of hours late for one of my appointments...I really have a difficult time dealing with that. But so far the good has outweighed the two hour delay on one of my visits. I have always had the feeling that people who perceive a bad experience will come in and leave feedback a lot more often than someone who has had a good experience. I have had a very good experience with Dr. Fenton and his staff and thought I would let you know some of the good points. I'm sure I haven't covered all of them, but I do know that I changed from someone who nearly cancelled my appointment due to feedback I read online to a person who is very happy with her doctor and his staff. Thank you Dr. Fenton. Thank you ladies. One more comment...I sure wish I could find as many staff members so quickly and teach them how to answer the questions they have to answer without hesitation as fast as evidently was done here....Almost a miracle!!! more

I took an appointment for my husband who has been suffering from depression for years now . The waitime at the office was almost an hour and finally when we met the doc , i was shocked at his rudeness !!! He kept looking at watch during the appointment , look a call in between .He made us feel as if we are wasting his precious time by being there .He even had the audacitty to snatch a paper from my husband on which he had written few issues he wanted to talk about . Another thing, his personal office looks like a store room , there were starbucks coffee cups lying around , there were around 5 different types of clocks in every corner of the small room ,trash everywhere . The surroundings were enough to make any person depressed !! very negative experience . more

Bh79's comments below are pretty much ""spot-on"" for me concerning the lackadaisical staff. And after several years of going to Live Oak Counseling Center for my psychiatric needs, they play an instrumental role in why I'm leaving. The last couple of years, I've dreaded even calling to schedule an appointment because of the often curt and impersonable way I've been treated over the phone. more

Dr. Barry Fenton makes a wonderful difference in the lives of his patients. My family and I greatly appreciate his kindness and expertise. He truly cares and is willing to go ""above and beyond the call of duty"" to meet the needs of his patients. We consider him a blessing to our family. more

Psychiatrists of many years ago also did therapy. For at least the last 20 years, 9 out of 10 psychiatrists do medication evals and management only. An Eval will last 30-60 minutes and follow ups generally last 15-30 minutes if your lucky. Most follow ups are 5-10 minutes. If you are wanting to talk about your issues, then you need to see a therapist. A psychiatrists job is to ask if your depression, hallucinations, anxiety, OCD, or whatever you are taking medicine for is better or worse and either adjust or leave the medication the same based on your description. The issues causing some of the above disturbances should be discussed with your therapist not a psychiatrist beyond the 1st visit. As a therapist of 25 years, I am still amazed that people think that psychiatrists do therapy and have to provide this education to my patients up front. Not all patients need to be on medicine thus not needing a psychiatrist. As well, not all patients seeing a psychiatrist need to see a therapist. Some need both. more

I have gone to Dr. Fenton and his nurses for many years. I have been frustrated for a long time that they are quick to medicate and would prefer for me to be drugged all the time to avoid having problems. I don't have any major problems and don't feel the need to be drugged. They definitely do not focus on helping you cope or deal through talk therapy or anything besides medication. Recently, the change in the office staff has been a significant problem because of the extreme attitude and inability to put the patient first. I don't require much and am a very low-maintenance patient but they seem very put out to have to do anything. After the recent problems with the staff, I am leaving Dr. Fenton's office to find a new physician. Pros: Dr seems knowledgable Cons: Rude office staff; Focus on medicating more

I thought that the people were nice, especially the staff, but they refused to leave detailed messages with my support team (therapist, health professional, nutritionist) and failed to reply to my messages when I asked for anything more than a number and name in a message. I have been to a new psychiatrist who has changed my medications (they had me on a med that was not the most effective for my disease). I wasted lots of money and too much time on this clinic. Find another one that will respond to your requests and is intelligent enough to prescribe the correct medications. Pros: Nice people Cons: Refused to contact the other members of my support team more

I met Dr. Fenton by accident because I didn't want to go one place for counseling and another for meds. Live Oak Counseling was where I got counseling so I made an appointment with a psychiatrist that happened to be Dr. Fenton. I am so glad I did. After numerous counselors and psychiatrists, I finally found the most fabulous psychiatris. He is kind, courteous, and extremely understanding. Thank you Dr. Fenton more

I had seen another psychiatrist for the past 5 years who had diagnosed me as ""severe bi-polar"". My insurance company wouldn't cover me because they considered it a ""serious mental illness"". I am a normal, functioning, father, husband and employee. I felt no better w/ the treatment I was receiving and was finally referred to Dr. Fenton by my GP. Dr. Fenton LISTENED. He correctly diagnosed me w/ adult ADD and started me on a medication regiment that has changed my life. My wife, my children, and my friends and co-workers have all seen the difference. It's been nothing short of miraculous! My production, and thus my income, have more than doubled at work. I only wish I had found Dr. Fenton 20 yrs. ago. His nurse praticioner, Chad, is phenomenal to work with and the office staff are always VERY courteous and professional. I would recommend this practice to anyone and have already. Pros: Professional, courteous, very caring and phenomenal listeners Cons: Only 1. I live 45 miles away, wish he were closer more

I had been to see many psychiatrists, been in hospitals twice. Long time treatment for Bipolar Disease and the meds never worked. He figured out that I had ADD and like magic my life chabged The meds he gave me let me read a book and finish school. I now work in 100K job, boyfriend thinks I am very smart also. This dr. really knows his stuff and takes time to listen to his pts story to figure it out. Staff bratty but appts and parking in bldg easy. Wish I knew him 15 yrs ago. Pros: good listener, accurate diagnosis and great with medications. Cons: sometimes 2 weeks to get appt and saw nurse instead more

I have been a patient of LOCC for 3 years. Although I do not see Dr. Fenton primarily, I have had sessions with him. His bed-side manner is somewhat more detached than I personally prefer and on occassion I found him to be slightly patronizing and rude; however, he does seem to possess the necessary skills to ensure patient treatment and recovery. His office practices and procedures are not reliable as Dr. Fenton is known to change office procedures without notice and that can cause extreme difficulty for patients in the process of major decisions or changes (such as cooperation in leaves of absence from work, requirements for more face-to-face appointments for prescription refills). Dr. Fenton is not flexible and is generally unwilling to make exceptions to any office procedures/requirements, despite the circumstances or previously agreed-upon arrangements. This lends a credibility/dependability issue with Dr. Fenton. The front office staff is attentive, courteous and kind, though a bit harried and can be unorganized at times. I personally have had insurance billing issues with the office; it would be beneficial for any potential patient to have the wherewithal and willingness to keep all receipts and documentation of all visits. The other professional staff members of LOCC in which I have dealt are extremely capable, supportive, caring, and compassionate. Although I would cautiously recommend Dr. Fenton directly, I would recommend LOCC overall to my family and friends. Pros: Other professional staff members very caring, supportive, and dedicated to patient recovery/healing. Good location; Free parking. Cons: Office procedures/policies change often and without notice; Office staff a bit harried and can be unorganized. Archaic scheduling system. Appointments rarely are on-time. more

Dr. Fenton is a very professional and informed psychiatrist. He is always polite, compassionate, knowledgeable and helpful. He cares about his patients as it shows in his kind words and actions. I'm glad that I found an excellent doctor in Dallas. Pros: All Thumbs Up more

Great doctor I just don't listen to him and end up in trouble. Has very nice office and an old cluncker for a compter. I've seen newer ones at the city where they still use mainframes and cobol and colbol for windows. Pros: Parking location appearance more