Dr. Bhakta was the first medical professional who expressed complete confidence in both my body's ability to heal itself, and to bring a healthy baby into this world. With her help, both those things came to pass and I couldn't be more grateful! Before I came to see Dr. Bhakta I had literally been to every doctor on the west coast, tried every ILADS protocol and even spoke personally to celebrity doctors who authored those protocols. I invested in chelation, infrared sauna, prolozone and ozone IV treatments, bought my own Rife machine, ozone generator, biomat...and tried every single other supplement and regimen that anyone suggested no matter how absurd, expensive or potentially harmful ie. even things like MMS! I found that many ILADS doctors only prescribed long term antibiotics to help symptoms, but Dr. Bhakta's approach was primarily to reduce the inflammation via other methods so that my own overworked immune system could finally heal itself. For me, the method she chose was IVIG. After 5 months of IV treatment I was basically back to normal! There were other important supportive treatments I did alongside it to help; cleavers and chlorella to detox swollen lymph glands, methylated multivitamins to address a MTHFR issue that effects folate absorption and T3/ T4 thyroid treatment for a thyroid condition I had long before getting the tick bite. In my estimation Dr. Bhakta is a saint! She truly cares about helping her patients get well and finally get out of the never-ending cycle of long term antibiotics. FYI Those long term antibiotics may feel like they're working because they do have a mild anti-inflammatory effect, however in my case I found that some of my lingering symptoms (like the left shoulder pain that wouldn't go away, and the heart symptoms) were actually caused by the antibiotics themselves! Heart and chest pain is a known side effect of Doxycycline, and gut flora imbalance from long term antibiotics is known to cause gas and inflammation where pain extends into the upper left shoulder in particular. Dr. Bhakta is always researching the latest treatments and I truly felt her knowledge was much more advanced than any other practitioner I had been to before. The testing she did also provided a little more info than the basic Igenex test I had. After 3 years I finally found out that I had a persistent anaplasmosis infection. With this testing she was able to help me get coverage for a novel daptomycin treatment. I was already feeling completely well by the time we did this therapy though, so not sure it was needed. My only complaint was that it took about a year for me to get my initial IVIG treatment because her staff many years ago was so inept. I ended up paying a small fortune out of pocket for the IVIG therapy because they couldn't get the authorizations submitted properly. Thankfully, Dr. Bhakta must have realized what was happening with the staff, and the last time I visited she had a very competent assistant, Mayra who handled everything with ease. I will also say that as with any doctor you still need to be your own best advocate and research the treatments she recommends to see if they're right for you. IVIG helped me tremendously, but is not without risks and there might be an alternative that works just well. A couple years later I thought I was getting a relapse, as I had a return of some symptoms like migraines and arthritis. This time I tried some herbs from the Buhner program and they helped enough to get me back to normal within a month! FYI This "relapse" happened to coincide with January hayfever/ allergy season, and now I'm convinced that those particular "lyme symptoms" I had were probably mostly seasonal allergy-induced, as in the past they resolved around the time we moved away from a grassy reserve. Seasonal allergies causing full body inflammation is a very real phenomenon you can read about in medical journals and health blogs. Just a reminder that "not everything is lyme." read more

Dr. Bhakta is an amazing doctor but also researcher. Dr. Bhakta is EXTREMELY smart and works very hard at understanding the root of illness, and knows so much about medications including supplements! Dr. Bhakta saved my life and I cannot thank her enough! When other doctors waste valuable time, Dr. Bhakta knows so much about the body...she doesn't have to delay until the next appt. I cannot recommend her enough. To this day, not one doctor I've met, knows what she does. So remember, in my experience, it's like getting the knowledge of multiple doctors. read more

Dr Bhakta gave me direction and care that saved my life. I flew to her! WORTH. IT. I am Healed after eighteen years of being very ill. May Jesus Bless you, Dr Bhakta. read more

Dr. Bhakta is one of those special doctors who will spend QUALITY time in a one-on-one setting with the patient, and cover all issues in these multi-disciplinary complex illnesses, With her experience, focus on the patient, thorough lab work & regular follow-up, you are in excellent hands. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. read more

If you've been suffering from an elements, such as fatigue, or anything, chronic and you've been saying your regular doctor who's been talked to Western medicine style practice you will never get anywhere And you'll be chronically ill for the rest of your life, and you will be chronically ill for the rest of your life. I was told I had chronic fatigue syndrome, which was bogus as that's the doctors way of saying we don't know so we're just gonna tell you have chronic fatigue and send you on your way. This doctor ran tests. I never heard of before and found so many information markers elevated in my body would help pinpoint the issue for me. Within two weeks Of my initial visit my test came back and we have a plan and a name for what was causing all my problems. If I didn't see the doctor today, I would be probably living on the street somewhere because I can no longer take care of myself because of extreme fatigue, nerve issues and 30 other symptoms that were playing me a continuously getting worse. Don't assume you don't have Lyme disease because you live in Southern California never went hiking.. I live in Mission Viejo in atrack home and my two Chihuahuas picked up text that were dropped by our local raccoon that would visit our backyard and digging the trash. I woke up at two ticks in my bed and assumed I was OK because they didn't bite me, but when I didn't see where that little tiny nymph ticks that are the size of a poppy seed, and that's what got me. 11 years later and tons of suffering and the loss of all my money I finally have an answer. Thank you so much. read more

Any MD that won't give you any info and tells you "you must become a new patient at a cost of $700.00 for a 2hr visit", What is the testing she uses for Chronic Lyme's "We don't give that information", what is her Chronic Lyme's Disease treatment protocol "we don't give that information, you have to come in as "New Patient" and to speak with her at a cost of $700", what if I don't want to become a new patient, "Thats not an option". So, you'll be paying $700.00 for answers to basic questions. Must doctors will let you come in for a consult to be sure they can help you, usually it costs $150.00-275.00. Something shady about this. *See other review from someone who actually paid the $700.00, Shaun S. There are a lot of DC/MD making money of people who are desperate for help, if this is the case...SHAME ON HER! read more

Amazing doctor she knows more than all of the "specialists" I had to go to!!! She is expensive yes, but so is any other doctor the only difference is she doesn't work with insurance so you actually notice it. In reality she doesn't charge much more than other doctors. She really cares about her patients rewatching optimal health!! I'm so glad I found her and I hope I will be 100% soon read more

Dr. Bhakta's clinic is your last stop if you have been searching for answers to your health challenges. In fact, it should be your first stop! She takes an integrative approach to wellness and searches for root cause, not just temporary solutions. She sees the whole picture, unlike other specialists who only look at your illness from their narrow scope that they've been trained in. She helps patients who have nowhere else to turn for help and gives them options no one else has thought of it. She is constantly researching and finding new ways to heal hard to treat diseases. She really takes the time to listen and find out what is important to her patients. I highly recommend her. She's a lovely person and a compassionate and caring doctor :) read more

My husband and I both absolutely love Dr. Bhakta and cannot recommend her highly enough. She is the most thorough, knowledgeable, caring, kind doctor we have ever met. She was instrumental in diagnosing my husband's tick-borne disease, allergy to mold and genetic issue which were severely affecting his health. After 2 1/2 years of mis-diagnosis-es from multiple doctors with him rapidly declining mentally and physically, she is the only one that gave us any answers and a clear road map to getting our lives back. He has NEVER been healthier, thanks to her treatment and guidance. Yes, she is expensive, but we believe she is worth every penny. Our first meeting with her was 4 hours and she went over the last 20 years of his medical history. She was so focused on every single thing about him and what he had been through; no rushing, she was very detailed and thoughtful. She has always made both of us feel like she was 100% committed to his recovery. Every day we are grateful we found her and that she was the one overseeing his care. read more

In my opinion I strongly caution against: However if you like setting fire to your cash, hearing the same speech over & over again about how smart she is while being charged like 7 hundred dollars an hour & have none of your questions & concerns answered then you've hit the jackpot & found your dream Dr. - Rude, won't return phone calls, has the most inneficient staff I have ever seen, your constantly lied too & get the old 'run around' treatment constantly (they told me if I can't afford their service perhaps I should look elsewhere, this coming from a 10 dollar an hour employee who I could buy & sell 500 times over)...I've seen 4 year olds make less mistakes & show better personal skills, charges you for blood tests that she never delivers on..In closing unless your a masochist & love getting worked over I would strongly advise finding another Dr. - Also is you like being yelled at and told your stupid while she speaks to you in a condescending tone then once again you've struck gold..If you have a cough or a sniffle she may be able to help but it will cost you thousands of dollars and you will be worse than when you started . Buyer beware !! read more

I've been seeing Dr. Chitra Bhakta since 2013. She is on the cutting edge of medical research and is an incredible advocate for her patients. I love that she doesn't sell a ton of supplements in her office. When she recommends something, I know she has no conflict of interest because she makes no money from it. I feel confident that she only wants what is best for her patients. This field of medicine is extremely challenging. Not only is it controversial, but the patient population can often be overwhelmed physically, mentally and emotionally and, like myself, have been given the run around from multiple doctors before finding her. This exhaustion and frustration can make us difficult to serve. But Dr. Bhakta has dedicated her life to helping people like us. There is no quick fix, no magic pill, and no "one size fits all" treatment. We need someone like Dr. Bhakta who will fight for us and stick with us through the long struggle to recovery. Her prices are similar to any other doctor and my insurance company covers a portion of the visits and treatment. read more

I have been with Dr. Bhakta since 2010. She literally saved my life when other doctors didnt have a clue what was happening. She ran tests that showed exactly what was happening. She is a researcher and is always in on the latest information. John Hopkins clinical trials has incorporated her into their studies as well as other top institutions. She takes time with you instead of the usual 20 minutes insurance doctors. She refers out when needed. She is a USC trained physician and has incorporated integrative medicine into her practice as well as western medicine when needed. She looks for the root problem instead of a bandaid approach. She is and has always been my God send. read more

Dr Bhakta goes above and beyond the norm. She is extremely thorough and answered all my questions!

I have had Lyme complications for some time so made an appointment to see this doctor. The office itself is clean and the staff seemed very nice. Dr Bhakta also seems like a very smart woman and knows a lot about Lyme. That being said, I was uncomfortable with her manners. She spent most of the consult on nutritional advice and other stuff that I felt was unrelated to my case. She didn't ask me any questions or seem to care about how I was feeling. When I mentioned I have a cat, she blamed the cat for me not feeling well and said I would have to get rid of her (I had problems long before I got the cat). I guess I just didn't feel like she cared about what I had gone through health wise, and cared more about giving me super expensive supplements and long term IV antibiotic. She didn't even seem willing to discuss other options when I said I wasn't comfortable with long term and strong antibiotic. She may know her stuff with Lyme, but if you're looking for compassion I would try elsewhere. read more