I don't normally write reviews for doctors but I was so surprised and disappointed by the negative reviews I'm seeing for Dr. Brunell here that I had to chime in. I have not had great experiences with mental health professionals in my life and I'd say Dr. Brunell is one of two people who have actually helped me in more than twenty years. His intake process is extremely comprehensive and yes, does mean that it will probably take a few weeks to get a diagnosis and to get started on a treatment plan. Mental health issues are complex and interconnected and his thorough and deliberative approach reflects that complexity. I've had scary and unsuccessful experiences with medications and OCD ERP treatments in the past and he listened to my history attentively and took my concerns seriously. His approach to starting me on a new drug was very slow and conservative and helped me feel relaxed and confident about my treatment plan. His demeanor is more detached and objective than warm and fuzzy, which may not be a good fit for every patient's needs, but works well for me. He is extremely clear about his billing policy up front and while he is less flexible about late or missed appointments than other doctors might be, nothing about his billing practice would come as a surprise. He was patient and understanding when I had an issue with a new insurance policy that required that he wait a few weeks to bill me. The doctor clearly has a reverence for excellence, the truth and getting to the bottom of complex mental health issues, and he's helped me immensely. read more

Dr. Brunell, for me, is truly a transformative psychiatrist. Not only is he a 'unicorn' in that he provides both behavioral therapy and, as a psychiatrist, prescribe drug therapies, but he is truly very good at both. I found Dr. Brunell to be both adept at guiding me through the therapeutic options but also collaborative in terms of listening carefully to what was working and what was not. I really owe so much to Dr. Brunell's treatment, guidance and counsel for one of the most difficult times in my life. He was always available when I had breakdowns in my treatment outside of regular meetings. I would highly recommend him. read more

I forgot to add this important update on Dr. Brunell because of what happened a few months ago. I haven't seen him for 4 years and out of nowhere I got a voicemail letting me know that my yelp review was negatively affecting his business and personal life and "I'm wondering if you feel that 4 years is enough time to have your opinion be out there and are willing to delete it." I was really shocked and appalled that a doctor would use my personal contact information years later to request I delete a review. !!!! I debated whether to update this because I don't want another creepy phone call and do not intend to negatively impact someone, but the reason I write these reviews is less about the business and more about letting other yelpers know what my experience is so they can decide whether or not to go somewhere. read more

I started seeing Dr. Brunell after I had a panic attack about 2yrs ago. He was very kind and helpful to me during my treatment. I can say that the techniques that he taught me have helped keep my anxiety in check for the most part, and I'm very grateful for it. Highly recommend. read more

I have been in therapy for several years to help treat several complex issues. I only started taking medication about two years ago and I have to say that I made more progress in just a few months working with Dr. Brunell than I had previously working with several different professionals. I highly highly recommend Dr. Brunell! He's quirky, but he is a gem. Not many psychiatrists offer medication management and psychotherapy in tandem, but Dr. Brunell has truly mastered both. I had almost given up on mental healthcare until I started seeing him. Dr. Brunell is a blessing and I am truly grateful to have had him as my psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and supportive presence :) P.S. People need to remember that all professionals have different personalities and styles and what might not work for you might be exactly what someone else needs. read more

Dr Brunell is very thorough, up to date on research, and professional. I would definitely recommend him. I liked that he took the time to get to know me before passing out a prescription -I've found with other doctors they are too quick to prescribe loads of medications. While some complain his intake is too lengthy I thought it was thorough. Dr brunell also takes the time to talk about possible side effects, and walks you through his thought process. He asks for what I'm comfortable with and is always willing to answer any questions I have. Dr Brunell uses rating scales which I find very helpful in order to track my progress/regression. As a "numbers person" I like seeing my progress as something quantitative. If I were to give any criticism it would be about the office itself. It's not inviting, but honestly when I see my therapist for an hour long session I need it to be inviting, not really my psychiatrist who I see for short sessions every few months, but in any event the ambience could be improved! read more

Why can't I give negative stars? I found his name on the International OCD foundation website and called to inquire if he was taking new patients. He was, but I was asked first, if I had ADD or ADHD, or bipolar disorder. Okay, weird, but whatever. The questions continued, asking if I was on disability. I said yes and was informed by the secretary that he doesn't take patients on disability, period. I asked why and was told she doesn't know, he just doesn't. This is discrimination. If he doesn't take Medicare that's fine but refusing to even see someone simply because they are on disability is really unethical to me. He had no way of knowing if I'm on it due to a problem totally unrelated to what I was seeking help for or what. But based on the reviews here, I dodged a bullet. read more

Dr. Brunell has been patient, kind, and incredibly helpful providing tools and strategies that have helped me over the last year and a half while working with him. read more

What a sad, disrespectful, unsympathetic experience I had with Dr. Brunell. (For about 2 years) I read these reviews on Yelp and thought he didn't seem that bad...some good reviews here and there. I really wish I had listened to my gut and understood what I was going to get into. I stayed with him too long and should have left the second his damp, unwelcoming office set my red flags flying. One thing he was good for was prescribing me a medication that semi-worked. I was in need of something asap and that medication pulled through for me. He was simply the hand that gave it. Now being at other psychiatry offices, I understand what proper treatment looks like. He was not that. Initially I wasn't prescribed anything for the first 3 sessions. He was able to gather my co-pay from every single one of those. Post being prescribed he saw me VERY often, even when I was a year into my medication and did not need adjustments of any sort. I was seeing him every three weeks, just saying "Yup, everything's the same." And giving him a co-pay. His secretary was clearly not capable of handling the job and was consistently frantic, short, anxiety-ridden and made me feel so uncomfortable. His bedside manner was not as curt, but he did make me feel like a mental institute patient, rather than a human. My final session with him was the most upsetting. I was unable to meet a copay (it had only been 2 weeks and I was a college student at the time and needed to prioritize buying food first). He demanded I pay him on the spot. The most disgusting part: He then asked me to go to an ATM down the street and take out money (which was exTREMELY unprofessional and crass and horrific), when I said, "Sir, I do not have the funds. I need to buy food.". He still did not budge. I was then in heaving sobs, and told him that he was the central cause of my mental instability and wondered how he felt about that. Didn't bat an eye. So then I owed him an additional copay for a session where he was demanding money from me. It's been TWO years. Somehow debt collection got to me in California to pay him $50. I needed to call him back and settle this. I had round two of my nightmare session. This man only cares about money. Of course a doctor should be paid, but he had given a little college girl some time and a bit more, it would have been figured out and I would be more than happy to pay him asap. If you're like me, looking for a psychiatrist and just need some help, I beg of you to look elsewhere. Writing on here and encouraging readers to send their money and time to more capable, caring professionals is my wish. Message me if you have questions. I'd be more than happy to tell you to move on. Even if he seems "okay". He's not. And causing me anguish two years later. read more

While it's a bit of a strange office, I don't think Dr. Brunell gets enough credit for his thoroughness and therapy/medication knowledge. Indeed, he takes 3+ appointments to make a diagnosis, but this is the kind of psychiatry which is rare in this day and age of 15 min medicine. In particular, Dr. Brunell is very well trained in treatments for OCD. He is extremely helpful with exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, which can be used alone or in conjunction with meds. He will help you write a detailed and effective essay for your ERP homework to address your fears head on. Personally, I don't really see him as someone I would be comfortable doing talk therapy with, but there are always therapists for that. read more

Dr Brunell is great! The virtual sessions are working just fine for me. I couldn't be happier with the results, either! Very glad I made that first appointment. read more

I had a wonderful experience with Dr. Brunell as my psychiatrist. He listened to my input and together we made a reasonable plan for my mental health that over the course of a year I achieved. He wasn't pushy with medications and was very comprehensive in giving me options. I would recommend him for people seeking therapy without reservation. read more

I had the absolute worst experience with Dr. Brunell. I came to him in a very desperate place. I made it clear that I needed medication management as soon as possible. He insisted on putting me through 3 intakes, and still refused to make even a small med adjustment. His intakes are unnecessary long and tedious. He was only wiling to meet with me for 45 minutes at a time, and wasn't able to see me more than twice a month. On my third and final appointment I begged him to adjust my meds, or at least give me a fast acting medication to hold me over until the intake was over. His advice was to check myself into a mental hospital. After a serious breakdown, I found a great full day outpatient program at Arbour Health in Brookline. The Psychiatrist was willing to adjust my medication on the second day. It made all the difference in the world. I let Dr. Brunell's secretary know before I went to the outpatient program, and that i would call the office when I was finished with the program to schedule an appointment. He never called while I was in the program to ask how I was doing. 4 days later I received a threatening certified letter from the office that stated that they had called me twice to reschedule, that I needed psychiatric care, and to call them ASAP. They said that if I didn't call them back within a week I would be discharged. I was livid. I never received any calls from him, and had notified him that I wouldn't be able to see him again until I got out of my full day outpatient program. I left a rather bitter voicemail stated the above information, and to please discharge me as soon as possible, and that I looked forward to him not being my Psychiatrist. I'm a pretty respectful and understanding person, but this man was a waste of time, money, and emotional energy. I hope that he makes some major changes to his practice, or retires. read more

I can't say he's not thorough, but he and the office are weird. No computers. Everything dated. The waiting room is 4'x8' and has no windows. It is like being in a Twin Peaks office. If you enjoy answering questions like "how many times have you been depressed in your life for periods of more than 1 month but less than 3 months" this is the guy for you. Whole thing seems more like a surreal dream than actual trip to Dr. office. read more

I've been working with Dr. Brunell for almost two years now. I find him to be a kind, caring, professional man who has never given up on me, despite the fact that nothing worked for me for a long time. I would recommend him a hundred times over to anyone looking for a psychiatrist in the area. His knowledge of medicine and psychiatric disorders, particularly OCD, is positively encyclopedic.I think it is because he is so thorough, knowledgeable, and set in a certain routine that people say he is strange or standoffish. But I have never felt uncomfortable in his presence--on the contrary, he has been there for me in times of crisis when I didn't have anywhere else to go, and I believe that I am still alive in part due to his persistence and patience in my treatment. It's absolutely true that he doesn't get enough credit for all the hard work he does. I hope this review will make its way to the top and serves as a testament to his skill as a doctor and gentleness as a person. Dr. Brunell is an excellent healthcare professional--I invite everyone to come in and judge for themselves whether or not he is the right doctor for them, and if he's not, that's fine too. Just as Yelp can't encompass an entire psychiatric practice, one doctor can't be the right doctor for every person. read more

a totally algorithmic approach to medicine; demeaning. Great with those surveys though....

I went once and almost walked out within the first ten minutes of my intake. He pulled out the Dunkin Donuts cups on me too! I really felt like I was in the film, Being John Malkovich. It was totally unreal in the worst possible way. I don't know how he still has a license it keeps up with the clientele. read more

Like Amanda G., I concur that Dr. Brunell doesn't get enough credit. In fact, he doesn't get nearly enough! I am very happy that I didn't read these Yelp reviews prior to my first visit with Dr. Brunell. His intake process is 'spot on.' Other psychiatrists I've seen in the past give you a mountain of forms to complete at home. Dr. Brunell does give you some pre-work to do, but he accompanies you on the journey during the intake process by engaging his patients directly in answering these critical questions that will ultimately serve as a foundation for proper diagnosis. What I've learned in this intake process is that questions and words on forms might mean different things to different people. What Dr. Brunell ensures in his professional thoughtfulness and due diligence in the intake process/assessment is that his patients understand the nuances around terms so doctor and patient are "on the same page." Had I completed this intake at home, I can honestly say that some of my responses would not have been as accurate as they are being guided through the process and dialogue that ensues in this more proper and thorough approach. Yes, he pulls out the coffee cups, but there is reason and purpose behind this and is also memorable. The visual of him putting the cups in front of me is easy for my mind to recall and reminds me of my personal desire to dramatically decrease (or hopefully eliminate) caffeine from my diet altogether. It is just simply not true that the office is sans a computer. His secretary has been nothing but professional in all of my interactions with her and appears to be efficient and skilled at her job. All in all, I would give Dr. Brunell and his practice my highest recommendation. He is the first psychiatrist with whom I've met who doesn't simply prescribe meds in a 15 mins appointment, but engages his patients in meaningful and purpose-filled ways. read more

Careful, patient psychiatrist. Conservative, in the sense of taking things slowly, analyzing impact and interactions of medicines before committing to them. read more

Rely on Dr. Brunell to make your treatment experience as demeaning, bizarre and headache-inducing as possible. Despite being an undeniably smart and well-informed psychiatrist, the man's entire treatment process is deeply unpleasant and strange. An earlier reviewer wrote that he has a totally "algorithmic" approach to psychiatry, and that's a really good way of putting it - every single visit will see you fill out a series of worksheets, and, in fact, the doctor and his receptionist will ask that you show up 15 minutes early in order to do this paperwork. He will ask you a lengthy series of rote questions about your symptoms, forcing you to rate them on a scale of 1-100, every single visit. If you're like me, you're going to find this more than a little obnoxious, because you tend to experience mental health issues as "gosh, I feel anxious right now," and not as "gosh, I feel about a 57 in terms of anxiety right now." And it feels depersonalizing and unpleasant to have to struggle for a meaningless numerical representation of what you're going through to satisfy some fastidious little requirement the good doctor has created. And, oh, gosh, you're going to be seeing him a lot - far be it for me to question why Dr. Brunell has to see you every single month, mostly in order for you to say "yep, still about the same" through aforementioned series of worksheets and rote questionnaires, but he insists on frequent visits. Getting him to join the 21st century and actually phone prescriptions into a pharmacy is like pulling teeth - he'll generally insist on writing out chicken-scratch hard-copy prescriptions for you to take to the pharmacy yourself. It's a minor annoyance, but you're probably beginning to see the pattern here - this man is the world champion of minor annoyances. His office didn't take credit cards until a couple of months ago, and you'll have to pay him a couple bucks extra for the privilege. And if you're like me and you rarely have cash or checks on you, get ready for the receptionist to politely ask you to go hit up the ATM in order to pay them. (Also, it will not matter if you've been going there for years, you'll have to hand over your DRIVER'S LICENSE if you want them to give you the key to the bathroom. You know, the one down the hall.) Like I said - if there's any little way the experience of psychiatric treatment can be made slightly more of a headache than it already is, chances are that Dr. Brunell will have eagerly embraced it. I freely concede that he's a thoroughly competent physician, and you may even enjoy having him as your doctor if you meet the following criteria: * You've got a lot of free time in your schedule to make it to a bunch of appointments. * You always have cash or checks on your person. * You appreciate the hyper-methodical, mechanistic approach to psychiatry. For everyone else, I'd suggest looking elsewhere. read more

In my experience, Dr. Brunell is professional, takes my concerns seriously, is willing to think outside the box and stays current with the latest research. I am not the easiest person to treat - in addition to mental health issues, I have some physical health issues and seem to be allergic to many medications. Other Doctors have written me off as high maintenance / faking it. Dr. Brunell, on the other hand, has helped me a lot. He has recommended 'holistic' approaches (some of which have helped a lot). When I was allergic to medications a,b and c - he did research and found a comb of obscures med that work great for me. He treats me as a 'partner' in my care - explaining the medical studies to me, laying out all my treatment options, etc... His admin is socially awkward, but I assume he hired her because she is good dealing with insurance companies. read more

I think people don't give him enough credit. He's extremely knowledgeable, professional, and kind. The intake can be painfully long, and the insurance questions are weird, but overall I think he provides quality care and I trust his judgement. read more

I was nervous about seeing a psychiatrist and possibly being medicated for my undiagnosed bipolar disorder for the first time. I was attracted to Dr. Brunell's practice because I got the sense from these reviews that he would definitely do a very thorough intake and really take time to get to know me before prescribing me any meds. Dr. Brunell did three intake sessions with me before bringing me in for a fourth treatment plan session at which he gave me my first prescription. I'm sure Dr. Brunell has done thousands of these intakes, but I never got the sense that I was just another patient in the system. Dr. Brunell was really making an effort to get to know me, my unique experiences, and my family history. At all times, Dr. Brunell was professional and engaging. He was obviously taking pleasure in his work and I felt that he cared about me as one of his patients. During one session we had my wife call in to the office so that she could verify some of what I was saying and also share some of her experiences of my moods. It was important to my wife to be included and Dr. Brunell was very encouraging of her participation. My wife also felt very good about the way Dr. Brunell invited her in and listened to her. I explained my nervousness about medications to Dr. Brunell - bipolar disorder runs in the family and I've seen family members who didn't react so well to meds. He assured me that he was only interested in finding a treatment plan that worked for me and that if the treatment was worse than the disease we would absolutely go back to the drawing board. Knowing that he was on my side and that he had access to all my pertinent information helped me to start taking a mood stabilizer for the first time. Dr. Brunell was very attentive in his followup tracking my moods, how I was handling stepping up dosage, and my overall reactions to the drug. In the end, the drug Dr. Brunell prescribed has worked incredibly well for me and transformed the way I feel about myself, made life easier, and helped me become much more productive in my work and relationships. I'm very grateful to him for helping me get to where I am now. read more

I think he is very thorough with his intake process in order to understand you better and give you the medication that will work. He has a more holistic approach than most psychiatrists, such as not drinking caffeine or alcohol and sleeping well, in order to make sure the medication is working as well as it can. His assistant is very odd, but she does her job fine so I can't complain. read more

Went to see Dr. Brunell for my first appointment today. I am currently struggling. I need help. I left his office feeling worse. I got the impression that he didn't really listen. He just wrote down what I said. He said he couldn't do anything treatment-wise until we did 3-5 intake appointments. I explained that I already had a diagnosis from three other docs and really would like to start treatment. He ignored me and continued to waste time with empty questionnaires and canned generic questions. I've seen many, many, many doctors in my life. He was by far one of the worst. He may be a great doctor when it comes to doling out medication as some of the other reviews say but he certainly seems to be horrible at actually interacting with the patient in front of them in any way. read more

I see Dr. Brunell for medication management and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for depression (specifically recurrent MDD), a tic disorder, and a history of anxiety disorder. Dr. Brunell is an excellent physician, especially for OCD, tic disorders, and ticcy compulsions. He took a thorough medical history and made sure to address all of my concerns, not just major ones. He is the first physician who has been able to help me significantly reduce my tics. He has visual aids and exercises to help clearly explain complex terms. He explains medical jargon so you know what he's talking about. His methods are scientifically driven and he is happy to provide the most up to date literature regarding any therapy standards he uses. He is respectful, aware, and does not talk down to me. I highly recommend him for any adults in need of or considering medication management, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. Appointments are either 15 minutes or 45 minutes depending on the patient's needs. read more

This doctor rejected my (adult) son as a client and told him to look for a different psychiatrist, but didn't give him any names of doctors to try. He turned away someone who obviously needed medication, which I feel was dangerous, mean, and unprofessional. He called and asked me a bunch of family history questions during my son's appointment, and had me on speaker phone so my son could hear everything. I told him I wasn't comfortable answering the questions if my son was going to be angry with me. My son has not spoken to me since. read more

If I could give negative stars, I would. This is a notice to beware. It's likely all the 5-star reviews are scammers or paid. There's no way there are many 5 star reviews and the rest 2 or fewer stars, with no 3 or 4 star reviews. He is the worst scum bag on this planet. I wouldn't go near his office with a ten-foot pole. Every time I pass his building it makes me ill to think of what he has done not only to me but also, as the reviews suggest, to many other unsuspecting individuals just looking for care- and willing to pay for it with honest health insurance. I arrived 10 minutes late, and he kept me waiting in the "waiting room" for over 25 minutes, a stained hallway with a crappy chair, a sad-looking older secretary who looks like she's being used by him, he doesn't pay her enough to buy clothing, and who demurs to his every request like a beaten dog. Then, he provided me with dozens of pages of paperwork to complete, taking approximately 20 minutes for me, and I'm very fast at paperwork. Then, after I signed the documents, he went through the intake (first half of a lengthy process which he said would take two sessions.) It was 30 minutes of being pummeled with personal, unscrupulous questions that made me feel I was about to be strapped to a gurney and taken away. Then, he turned to me and declared that because I was late, that he was going to charge me for 15 minutes that he said "he couldn't legally bill to the health insurance company" for those 15 minutes and scolded me for being "the only one who ever did this to him" and therefore it was my fault that he wasn't getting his full due, whatever that amount was, he didn't say. I had provided him with the best health insurance you can get in Massachusetts, and he demanded $80 cash from me on the spot for those 15 minutes and that 45 of the minutes would be charged to the health insurance company, but that he would need $80 for the other 15 minutes. Keep in mind I was held in the waiting room for 25 minutes after my arrival. I told him I don't carry that much cash on me, and then he told me he still needs me to pay the money now before I leave his office. I offered him the $5 I had in my wallet. He rejected it. I said I had a credit card, and he said he didn't have any way of taking a credit card payment. Even though I felt abused and taken advantage of, I still offered to pay him via the only payment method I had on me, credit, and he rejected it, and told his secretary to write down that I hadn't paid. He said if I didn't pay he would damage my credit. I felt confused, embarrassed and trapped. His piercing eyes made me afraid for my own safety. Maybe he would try to call the police? Trap me in that sketchy dirty office forever like a caged animal he'd just caught? There was no mention in the documents I signed that said I would be responsible for the 15 minutes he chose not to bill. I re-read the paperwork in front of him, and I told him I didn't find any mention of that policy in front of him. I asked him if there was anything I could do so he could recoup the payment. He said no, and reiterated that I needed to pay him cash right now. The level of insanity of this person was gradually dawning on me, and I realized this was a matter of an unscrupulous professional preying on unsuspecting patients. He said he had another appointment, and that there was no way I could stay longer to recoup the time. Through this process, I overstayed another 30 minutes trying to figure out how to pay him, and no patients were in the waiting room, neither before or after. It became ever more clear that he was not a fair business man and was playing outside the rules. I needed to leave and solve this problem when I was not in distress. I came to this person in a vulnerable state for psychological help, and not only did his slimy, unsympathetic demeanor set me at disease and feel like my privacy was being torn apart, but he verbally and directly threatened my financial situation, my credit, and worst of all my sense of trust in so-called professionals and humanity in general. He eventually went out of his way to make sure to send the request for payment to collections in a way that would affect my credit. He is a slimy money-hungry scam-artist and should never work as a psychiatrist or any doctor again. Beware. read more

Dr. Brunell is a wonderful psychiatrist. Over the past 20 years that I've been dealing with my OCD and Drepression, Dr. Brunell has been the only doctor of the many I've seen that's been able to help. I'm happy to say my OCD and Drepression are both under control and I'm living a much happier life. I highly recommend Dr. Brunell. read more

I struggle with depression and anxiety and was looking for a psychiatrist to help me find the right medication combination. My 40 minute evaluation with Dr. Brunell was rife with very specific, and difficult to answer questions about the duration of my depressive episodes ("how many times have you experienced a low dip in your depression lasting more than 2 weeks but less than 6 months?") and not the depth of the symptoms. Dr. Brunell was very clinical, and didn't seem to be listening to me as I described my symptoms; I did not feel comfortable in his office. Towards the end of the interview, I felt he was asking me leading questions that were clearly biased towards a certain diagnosis. Finally he told me that he would not be able to help me since I clearly have a personality disorder, which he does not treat. I left in tears, the poorer for my co-pay, with a list of doctors who specialize in personality disorders (which I do not have). A waste of time and energy. I will not be going back. read more

I agree that they are a little strange and their 3 -day cancellation requirement or $50 cancellation fee is a real bummer, but Dr. Brunell knows his meds which is the most important factor for me. read more

If you are reading this RUN!! These people only care about taking your $$$. They will do everything they can to drag out the intake process to get as much out of your wallet as possible. He's a very weird person. He will threaten you if you can't pay. Terrible F rated service! Do not go here! I'd give zero stars if I could. read more

What a piece of work. I filled out an hours worth of paperwork, walked into his cramped practice, and walked out 5 minutes later with a diagnosis that no one has ever made on me. Did not listen to my current diagnosis, to the fact that my meds have been working great for the past year, that I just needed another psychiatrist because I moved. He asked questions about my past behavior, but did not ask how I am doing now. He told me he could not treat me and that medicine does not work on people with my diagnosis. I'm sorry but...how do you diagnose someone within 10 minutes of meeting them? And how about the fact that my new medicine regimen DOES work now, I just need a doctor to keep prescribing it to me. Good riddance. Do not go here if you can help it. read more

So thorough and knowledgable. I have the utmost confidence in him. Lots of questions, but he wants to make the most accurate assessment possible. Cares a lot about my wellbeing. read more

Wonderful, smart man who took more time to learn about me and my condition than any other MD I have seen in my years of treatment.

His secretary is fine. Nice person and professional. Dr. Brunell works hard and seems to care a lot, but don't go if you have an acute problem. It took me four interviews before anything was prescribed. Medication was the reason I went; I already had a psychotherapist. I'm tired of filling out depression test forms! He loves statistics. He does know the medications and always checks for drug interactions which not everyone does. Some just wait to see if you have a problem. He doesn't talk down to you. If you're smart he'll educate you a bit. Intake is too long though. read more

I went to Dr. Brunell back in my twenties, and again in my forties. Both times his work was directly responsible for significant changes in my happiness and well-being. I'm a strong believer in therapy, but you can go see a therapist for years and never find out what's wrong with you. There's nothing like finding out your diagnosis, so you can educate yourself on your condition and what will help you. Anyway, no one has ever done such a thorough intake on me. And yes, this takes time. You have to be willing to come back twice or even three times before he can finish the intake. This can be frustrating. But you can rest assured that you have been thoroughly assessed, and the results will prove it. No one knows their medication as well as Dr. Brunell. This is a vast improvement on the primary care physician who will prescribe something without really knowing your story, and doesn't follow up on side effects. If you want change in your life, you will tolerate the tiny waiting room. You will be grateful that his admin person never messes up the billing. You will show up for each appointment to avoid the no-show fee, which has been frustrating for me at times, if standard among therapists. You might wish that he would move to a more attractive location with a more spacious waiting room but mostly you will tolerate all this because you need to feel better and Dr. Brunell can help you do that. I'm giving him 5 stars because he excels at his core service - helping people feel better. read more