David Markley, PHD — Psychologist in Seattle, WA

Outstanding Dr David Markley is very professional and knowledgeable.. Great bedside manners.. He clearly cares about his patience it shows Tremendously.

My experience with Dr. Markley was limited only to one conversations but the poor impression that he left told me everything I needed to know: he was rude, manipulative and condescending. I had left a voicemail to see if he was available to take on new patients. I wait 20 days before leaving another voicemail to check in. He gets back to me shortly after stating "I received both your voicemails" (emphasis added on "both"), as if to say I was bothering him by following up after he did not return my original message. Immediately after, he brusquely starts going down a checklist looking for any reason to disqualify me. I have spoken to many therapists over the phone during my search for one and it was unlike any conversation I have had before. He asked what insurance I had, what my availability was, etc. All sorts of questions that had I answered in the negative would have made him unable to see me. Then after all of that, he finally asks me what my issues were. I tell him. He declares they are too much "capacity" for him right now. He was assuming that I would be the type of patient with such high mental health needs that I would call him night-and-day. I have never called a therapist after hours in my life, including the the therapist I am with now and have been for at least 6 or 7 months. On the contrary, I can't bring myself to bother someone outside scheduled appointment times no matter how severe the crisis because it feels so intrusive to do so. I am reticent in those situations to a fault. I pleaded, telling him that I have never contacted a therapist or counselor after hours in the decades I have dealt with these professionals. He responded, "Sorry, but you've made your case." I am convinced that had I played down my issues, instead of being honest, he would have refused to take me because I was not a severe enough case to warrant adding more to his full schedule. That was the nature of the conversation. It was clear he did not want to take anyone else on, but rather than just saying that he played a game to make it seem like there was a legitimate reason he could not take me on. Normally these things would not bother me, but it was his frustrated tone coupled with an at times feigned sincerity and smugness that underscored disingenuous intentions on his part. He also had no motivational interviewing skills, or at least did not care to display them. I will say he did go on to suggest other therapists I could contact, saying he was "confident" I could get in with one of them, but each one he offered was also unable to take on more patients. I don't leave negative reviews lightly. I wrote down everything that happened after that conversation, and months later it still upset me how someone who is supposed to be tactful with those going through distressing periods could act the way he did. He made me feel awful and carry strong negative emotions about the encounter long after it happened -- a real first for me when dealing with mental health experts. After thoughtful consideration, I decided to post this review. Take it how you will. I am sure others have had decent experiences with him, just not me.