Homewatch Caregivers

Pros

• Dr. Ballard and her team are extremely professional and helpful.
• The practice consistently responds to patient inquiries within 24 hours via email.
• They are flexible with scheduling to accommodate last-minute needs.
• Dr. Ballard is an expert on issues facing the local community and is dedicated to serving RVA.
• Dr. Ballard takes time to answer questions and get to know patients, and they never feel rushed.
• The practice is highly recommended and described as the best in RVA.
• Dr. McFadden is extremely knowledgeable and professional as a therapist, with immaculate skills addressing generational issues.
• The front office staff handle insurance complications effectively.
• Unique Holistic Care is consistently professional and courteous, providing a calm and welcoming environment.
• The staff and providers are amazing; patients feel heard and appointments are never rushed and are on time.
• Yvonne is a great NP who listens and finds the proper medications.
• Venus Woke is an outstanding practitioner who listens, explains clearly, responds quickly, and has helped many patients significantly.
• Venus Woke and Unique Holistic Care are trusted for holistic, patient-centered care.
• The care provided has had a positive impact on patients' mental health and family communication.
• Many patients would readily recommend Venus Woke and Unique Holistic Care to friends and family.

Cons

• The reviewer said getting prescriptions was extremely difficult, with on-hold times up to 20 minutes and waiting well over an hour past appointments.
• They stated the overall experience was consistently bad during their time there.
• They claimed they never received a follow-up email after reaching out for accountability.
• They described the staff as rude, unresponsive, and as often not answering emails or phone calls.
• They alleged miscommunication and passive-aggressiveness during forms and appointments, including being told all form questions were required when they were not.
• They reported their child had no refills for a week, leading to withdrawals because staff wouldn't address current patients.
• They criticized the practice for unprofessional handling of negative reviews and referenced racism claims.

Review

The collection of experiences with Unique Holistic Care centers a lot on the level of clinical care and the personal dedication of the providers, especially Dr. Ballard. A large number of reviewers describe the team as highly professional, responsive, and genuinely invested in the well-being of their patients. They note that the practice typically answers emails within 24 hours, with many replies arriving within one or two hours. Scheduling is described as flexible, particularly for people with work commitments or last-minute changes. Patients repeatedly highlight Dr. Ballard's attention to local community needs and her commitment to serving the RVA area. While a few reviews mention a small time hit at the end of the day, the consensus is that the care provided - taking time to answer questions, building rapport, and avoiding a rushed feel - makes the wait worthwhile. Overall, many feel this is the best practice in RVA and are eager to recommend it to others seeking care.

In addition to Dr. Ballard, reviewers also praise Dr. McFadden as a highly knowledgeable and professional therapist, especially for her work addressing generational issues. The sense across these accounts is that the practice values holistic, patient-centered care and brings a depth of expertise to both psychiatry and therapy. Some reviewers go as far as to declare a strong, unwavering trust in Unique Holistic Care, emphasizing that the practice does not push unnecessary services or try to keep patients in perpetual therapy for financial gain. The front desk staff are occasionally highlighted for handling insurance complications, underscoring that the administrative team can be a strong support for patients navigating coverage.

Despite these very positive experiences, there is a substantial portion of feedback that centers on administrative and operational frustrations. Some patients recount significant delays with prescriptions and pharmacy communications, including long hold times and repeated issues with getting refills. Others describe prolonged waits - up to an hour past scheduled appointments - which, although frustrating, are sometimes rationalized by the perception that the clinicians still deliver thorough, unrushed appointments once they commence. A recurring theme is the difficulty some patients face in reaching the front office or receiving timely responses to emails or portal messages; several reviews mention being told to simply make an appointment to address concerns rather than getting direct answers. There are even pointed remarks about rude interactions from certain staff members and a sense that some essential questions are not being answered without a formal visit.

The field of praise is especially pronounced for Venus Woke, who many patients describe as an exceptional practitioner with a strong, patient-centered approach. Reviews consistently emphasize her attentiveness, willingness to listen, and clear explanations of medical information. Patients attribute significant, near-immediate positive changes to her care, including successful medication management and improved daily functioning. Loreev XR and other interventions are highlighted as turning points for individuals suffering from frequent panic attacks, with some reporting a dramatic reduction in episodes and a return to a sense of normal life. Venus is repeatedly praised for quick, reliable communication via email or the portal system, and for maintaining a steady, compassionate presence that patients deeply value.

Within the Venus Woke accounts, there are also notes about the breadth of her impact beyond the appointment room. Patients describe her as approachable and easy to talk to, with a down-to-earth demeanor that makes it easier to open up about mental health concerns. Several testimonials mention that she takes time to ensure patients feel understood and involved in their treatment decisions, which is repeatedly framed as a refreshing departure from other providers. The general sentiment is that her holistic approach - combining empathy, thorough answering of questions, and an ability to work with payors and medications in a patient-friendly way - contributes to a highly positive overall experience at Unique Holistic Care.

At the same time, there are candid critiques that color the overall portrait with more nuance. One review specifically points out a problematic experience with Venus Woke, describing a sequence where mispronunciations and rigid expectations about filling out forms led to a confrontation that felt passive-aggressive and unprofessional. The reviewer felt that the questions on the intake forms were not clearly marked as required and that the feedback during the appointment was delivered in a dismissive tone. This account also highlights broader concerns about responsiveness to communications across the practice - emails and phone calls go unanswered at times, and some patients feel certain staff members can be unhelpful or disrespectful. There are explicit accusations about the overall culture of the office being hostile or unwelcoming, and some reviewers even describe experiences that touch on racism and discrimination, which adds a layer of tension to the otherwise positive narratives.

Across the board, the most consistent thread is that Unique Holistic Care can deliver outstanding clinical outcomes and deeply caring practitioner interactions, particularly with Dr. Ballard and Venus Woke. Yet, there is a real and persistent undercurrent of frustration with administrative processes: inconsistent email and phone responsiveness, scheduling delays, hold times for prescriptions, and uneven experiences with front-office staff. Some reviewers credit the practice with strong teamwork and a welcoming environment, while others feel let down by what they see as administrative inefficiency or disorganization that undermines the care they receive. The result is a complex picture in which excellent clinical care and genuine empathy are juxtaposed with ongoing challenges in communication and administrative consistency.

In summary, Unique Holistic Care appears to be a place where many patients receive top-tier psychiatric and therapeutic care from clinicians who are deeply committed to their patients and community. The care stories reflect a strong belief in the clinicians' abilities to help, a sense of trust in the providers' expertise, and appreciation for responsive, empathetic engagement, especially from Dr. Ballard, Dr. McFadden, and Venus Woke. At the same time, the experience for several patients is marred by frustrating administrative realities - difficulty reaching staff, delayed prescription handling, and uneven follow-through on communications. The overall impression is one of a highly capable practice with a valuable, life-changing impact on many patients, tempered by ongoing work to improve access, consistency, and respect in administrative interactions.

This part of Richmond, Virginia offers a diverse range of amenities and services that could make it a desirable location for senior living. With several restaurants, cafes, pharmacies, physicians' offices, and hospitals within close proximity, residents have easy access to essential resources for maintaining their health and well-being. Additionally, the presence of theaters, parks, and places of worship provide opportunities for recreation and spiritual fulfillment. The area is also well-connected in terms of transportation options, with an Amtrak station and a GRTC Pulse bus stop nearby. Overall, this neighborhood offers a convenient and vibrant setting for seniors looking to enjoy a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle in Richmond.

Restaurants

• Chopt Creative Salad Co. (0.2 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (0.3 miles)
• Stella's Grocery (1 miles)
• The Answer Brewpub (1.1 miles)
• Mekong Restaurant (1.1 miles)
• Jack Brown's Beer and Burger Joint (1.3 miles)
• Blue Bee Cider (1.6 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (0.3 miles)
• Blanchard’s Café (1.5 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Stir Crazy (2.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.2 miles)
• Lamplighter (2.5 miles)
• The Smoky Mug (3.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)

Physicians

• Patterson Eye Clinic (0.9 miles)
• Neuropsychological Associates Of Virginia (1 miles)
• Tuckahoe Orthopaedic Assoc (1.1 miles)
• Pulmonary Associates of Richmond (1.8 miles)
• Patterson Office Villiage (1.9 miles)
• Surgical Specialists of Richmond (2 miles)
• Brooks Optical (2.3 miles)

Hospitals

• St Marys South Building (1 miles)
• VCU Medical Center Emergency Department (3 miles)
• Hospital Hospitality House (4.2 miles)
• Vcu Health System Authority (4.3 miles)
• Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU (4.4 miles)
• VCU Critical Care Hospital (4.5 miles)

Theaters

• Bow Tie Movieland at Boulevard Square (1.8 miles)

Parks

• Byrd Park (1.9 miles)
• Dogwood Dell (2.8 miles)
• Lombardy Park Playground (2.9 miles)
• Barker Field Dog Park (2.9 miles)
• Battery Park (3.3 miles)
• Monroe Park (3.4 miles)
• Brown's Island (4.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Remnant Church (2 miles)
• Christadelphian Chapel (2 miles)
• Tikvat Israel Congregation (2.1 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (2.6 miles)
• GRTC Pulse - Convention Center (3.9 miles)