Michael Lara is a wonderful psychiatrist who has helped me tremendously. It pains me to write this review, but I am super mad and hurt at his office administrator. She is very heartless, crude, and very, very unempathetic. For full transparency, I missed my appointment, but I called about 30 minutes later to reschedule. I asked if there would be a no-show penalty, hoping that, for being a patient for more than two years, there might be a consideration, but no, a $167 no-show charge. This is so unfair because they also cancelled on me that same day and asked me to reschedule for another time, and I never said anything. His administrator is a horrible person. I am mad at myself, too, for putting up with it for so long. It's not like this is a free service read more

Part of me feels bad about giving Dr. Lara a 1 star rating, but quite frankly, he deserves it. Personally, I don't dislike the man at all and he is very kind. I also believe that he wants to be helpful... However, Dr. Lara really did a number on me, at least pharmacologically. I feel obligated to share my experience with him for anyone considering going into his care... October 2018: I was on 0 medications and in CBT. I started having panic attacks in response to a life change/stressor situation. The therapist I was doing CBT with HIGHLY recommended Dr. Lara so I began seeking treatment with him. November 2018: after our first session, he put me on 3 medications (Zoloft, Klonopin, and Lamictal). At the time I appreciated the aggressive approach. He said the klonopin would only be used for a few weeks to "stop the bleeding"... Dr. Lara ramped the dose up on all 3 drugs at a pretty rapid pace...and by Feb. 2019, I was starting to notice a spike in both the number of side effects and in their intensity/tolerability... Any time I mentioned a side effect, Dr. Lara would respond with this formula... (1) "it's just a transient side effect, it'll pass" (2) "with this Rx, side effects are often paradoxical. So let's increase the dose." And when (1) and (2) failed to come to fruition... (3) "I'm going to add a prescription for ________ to address the side effect" In retrospect, Dr. Lara was incredibly reckless with me. In 8 months under his care, I went from 0 Rx's 6 Rx's (I wish I was exaggerating). By the time he left the practice, I was on the max. dose of Zoloft, Lamictal, and Wellbutrin. On top of that, he also put/kept me on: Klonopin, Seroquel, Trazodone (and I think I'm forgetting at least one other Rx) The worst part was that he left the practice and told me I could follow him to his private practice. I tried to and his staff told me he wasn't taking any new clients. I said that I'd been working with him for 8 months and he's put me on no less than SIX psychotropic drugs...and they just said yeah sorry no he doesn't have any room for anyone else. About 1 year went by, and that therapist who had recommended Dr. Lara in the first place encouraged me to try to reconnect with him. So I set up an appointment on Zoc Doc and it was very clear he was accepting new patients... The next day, he had cancelled the appointment and sent a message saying he was not taking new clients. In the years since, I've experienced no less than 5 tonic-clonic seizures (attributed to Wellbutrin and missed doses of Lamictal). I'll spare the rest of the details, but this man was a bad doctor to me. And sort of a bad person. He treated me like a guinea pig. And when I ran into trouble (which was very predictable/to be expected given the cocktail he threw at me), he just abandoned me. It is clear he never actually gave a damn about me. I suppose he might have just not liked me or something. But that doesn't excuse his genuine recklessness as a prescriber and his misleading, unprofessional MO. 1/5 stars. Avoid. I really read more

Dr Lara has helped me greatly! Him and his wife run a great business and they both have big hearts willing to help anyone. I had trouble with a medication I was on and I was able to call and they said although they have no time to discuss for the next couple days I could talk to the doctor just briefly on the phone for a few minutes to adjust some medication and then they also put me on this weeks waitlist to discuss! They are both so helpful and accommodating! Great service and a great doctor all around. read more

This is unfortunate. I've had routine virtual calls with Dr. Lara for going on 3 years now. In that time I have had to routinely send reminder e-mails to refill my prescriptions. I don't know why that's the case, I never had to remind my previous doctor. If I don't send a reminder ahead of time, within their scheduled hours, I either won't get the refill or it will be many days late, meaning I run out of medication. The response is the same either way -- It's my fault and they won't be assed to move any quicker. The lady who sets up the calls and answers the e-mails is unpleasant at best and downright angry at worst. I don't know how much my insurance is paying for this, but I feel they must be making out like bandits. We barely talk for 5 - 10 minutes once every month or every other month. Really the calls are just about whether or not I feel okay with whatever doses of medication I'm taking. I'd be fine with that except I STILL have to remind them to put the damned prescription in and I get attitude about it. I sent a request to refill my prescription this past Saturday, which was the first of the month, by following their new online system like they asked me to do last time. Since the pharmacy couldn't do a full rx last time, I mentioned in the message that I was already out of my rx and needed this filled asap. No reponse for 2 days. I send an e-mail like I always used to, but was told not to do going forward. I get an almost immediate response -- but the response wasn't "oops lets get that filled" it was "when did you send the message? why did you send it on a day we're not in the office? you need to remember our hours are blah blah, and since this is a holiday weekend you probably won't get your prescription filled until wednesday" -- which would mean I'll be almost a full week without the rx. I call the office to see if I can speak with Dr. Lara and bypass this angry woman, but of course no one answers and it goes straight to her voicemail, as usual. Online it says the office is open today. This isn't even the first time I've gotten a response in the same tone. I let it go last time because it really is such a hassle to switch doctors and maybe they were just having a bad day. But no, this seems to be par for the course and after having seen the other reviews here I can confirm there is a distinct lack of professionalism beyond Dr. Lara's sessions. I looked up other doctors who handle my issues and take my insurance and I've already set up a preliminary consultation today. I'm done with this crap. It's hard to imagine health workers who have such terrible attitudes acting like people are such a bother to them. read more

Dr. Lara is the best. He's helped me and my husband so much and we can't thank him enough!

Utterly frustrating and unprofessional office policies. Called for an initial appt several weeks ago after moving to CA, and received an intake questionnaire by email, which I completed several days ago. Two hours before my appt this afternoon, received a call that I didn't return the form in time, so they took me off the calendar and I need to reschedule after mid-August (4wks from now). And since CA doesn't permit refills for certain out-of-state scripts, I'm now unable to receive critical meds for at least a month. Clearly this is a doc who places his own convenience ahead of his patients' health and well-being. After submitting this review, the next one is being sent to the state medical board. Totally unacceptable. read more

As my first practitioner in this field, Dr. Lara has improved my life significantly. I was really depressed, anxious, tired, stresses, lonely just for starters. In reality, I live a pretty blessed life. I began seeing Dr. Lara a year pre-covid and tried several RX options before we found the perfect fit and the timing couldn't have been better. I had been feeling relief from all of my condition's, almost completely, for several months and was able to reconnect with many friends and family who hadn't seen me in awhile. My work improved and overall I was a much more happy and productive. I believe Dr. Lara is able to connect with people, listen to what is troubling them, discuss possible lifestyle changes and a treatment plan. He does deserve the 5 STAR rating I have provided. read more

This is in line with a previous reviewers experience... Last week, I contacted Dr.Lara's office about setting up an initial appointment. Before setting up an appointment with me, they said they need me to fill out an extensive, 8 page, new patient questionnaire, which includes my entire medical history. I did so, and returned it promptly that same day. I received an email response from them 2 days later stating that I 1. Lived too far away from their office (more than 20 miles...I live in Sacramento, but work in Palo Alto) 2. He isn't seeing new patients because he is getting surgery. This is something that the secretary could have easily disclosed when I had initially called. This leads me to believe that they are screening potential patients with the questionnaire, and are only looking for a certain "type". read more

I was not impressed. I felt like I was a paycheck. Although it is true, the client should not feel like that. I made a new appointment because after several appointments changing the dosage of a medication I wanted to try something else. Dr Lara wanted to up the dosage one more time. I said I would rather switch meds. He said just try it and if you do not like the new dosage after a week call me and I'll give you something else. So as I thought I did not like it and I called him for something else. Every time I called him I got the voice mail or his wife. He called me back and left a message for me to make an appointment (which means shelling out another 165 USD) to get on a new med. Hey isn't that what the last appt was about. I was trying to get him on the phone rather than voice mails back and forth. I work full time and go to school full time. I had a 4 hours window on a Tues and he promised he would call. He never did. I called him yet again and never heard from him. I don't remember all the details but I felt that he was flaky in getting back to me. I also felt like I was a $ sign in his eyes. And lastly when we would meet he didn't take notes and from week to week I had to repeat myself. I was not impressed at all. read more

I called in june and they said i had to fax an application. i faxed this survey thing to them but didn't hear back. called and the promised to return the call the same day. never happened. maybe they lost my medical records. i have been looking for an MD with old world values. someone who can get to know me instead of take a number. it's just conjecture but i suspect that Lara, with his pedigree etc is one of those doctors i've seen who is so tied to big pharma (pharma phrat boy) that the appointment is more about product delivery and number of units prescribed than patient care. four phone calls, one fax. totally ignored. read more

I spent a lot of time trying to find a local Psych; which was a challenge because so many were not accepting new patients. While Dr Lara himself is pleasant to talk to, the really really bad part of seeking care with Dr Lara is having to deal with this wife/front office; who is generally an unpleasant person and has no apparent experience or empathy working with people with mental health challenges. Frankly she should not be interacting with anyone with mental health issues. She's rather abusive and overly aggressive in her interactions and highly unreasonable. When I first came to the office, they wanted me to give them my credit card number -- that's weird. I've never had a doctor's office ask for this, red flag. Wanting to meet Michael to see if it was worth the risk -- it wasn't. I expressed my concern about nuances with my prescription and challenges I regularly face early in my convo with Dr. Lara. I was rather hopeful; and at the end he sent my script electronically. Before I had left he asked if I wanted to check in after two weeks, I told him I'll see and his wife asked me again when I was walking out -- I asked them to pencil me but I wasn't sure yet. Getting to my pharmacy I discovered Dr Lara wrote the wrong prescription, which I would have known had he written me a paper one, no biggy, I'd just have to get in touch and maybe they can quickly send a new one. My attempt at trying to correct it over email/phone (the day after) was met with a demand from his wife that I set up another appointment. Why? Just correct my dang prescription. The date came around and the weekend before I remembered I had an important meeting at work that I couldn't miss; and so I had to cancel what I thought was a penciled-in meeting. They said no problem... I still hadn't had my prescription fixed with them -- frankly I didn't have time to chase it down. After that, his wife repeatedly hounded and harassed me about setting up a follow-up appointment for any prescription info. I decided I wasn't going to be doing any sort of business with them from that point. They did not want to help me correct a problem they created in getting the care I need, and were only concerned with money. Recently, reviewing my finances they DOUBLED CHARGED ME FOR A MEETING I CANCELED in advance -- even when they said "We normally charge a fee, but this one time we wont" -- what the hell? This is no accident; it's clear to me based on my negative interactions and because this double charge was set the day of the meeting I had to cancel. His wife spent considerable time and effort harassing me over email saying that I was required to come in to a meeting with them and they she had tried and tried to call me. Nope that is harassment, and that is fraud. DO NOT put your care and trust into these people or any medical doctor's office that asks you for a credit card up front. Of course they want it, so they can pull stunts like this. Don't fall for it. Find another doctor's office who's business practices are honest and reputable. I understand the need to make sure claims are paid from a business-standpoint, but this is beyond normal. In case they send any people to send fake 5-star reviews, please heed my words and think twice. read more

Dr. Lara has been a great help to me. I was always scared to see a therapist. To let my guard down and tell all. But with Dr. Lara, he makes me feel completely at ease. I went through a pretty huge breakdown and saw him the Friday after the ordeal and he did not judge me. He was just compassionate and help me figure out what I went through and why I was going through it. Basically, it was just a catalyst I needed to get through before I could do good for myself. I highly recommend Dr. Lara for anything you may need when feeling unsure of yourself or just need to re-prioritize your mind. I visit him when he's in San Jose (every Fridays) and I love the fact that he works with his wife. Verdict: Winnar, highly recommend read more

Great doctor, listens, you work together on a plan towards better health. generous and kind and always available in emergency! read more

I have not personally met Doctor. Lara but considering the way the front office staff works over there we will not be recommending this practice if you have needs that need to be met. "Mae or May" the woman who works at the front desk had my fiancé fill out extensive patient intake forms which he submitted. She called him the next day and told him he has a substance abuse issue and they can't help him. He clearly stated he has severe depression and occasionally takes supplements and CBD to combat it. Do you note the word occasionally? For some reason she deemed it appropriate to tell someone she doesn't know that my fiancé has a substance abuse issue. It completely ruined my fiancé's day and I called "Mae" back and informed her what she said was completely insensitive. Given she didn't budge and never apologized I let her know I would be informing everyone about how they run their practice over in Belmont and I will hold true to my word. read more

My husband and I attended Dr Lara's presentation in Pismo Beach. We found Dr Lara to be very up to date on organic health care. He gave us tangible ways to age gracefully. My husband is very skeptical and he has not put down Dr Lara's handout from the presentation. We are drinking Dr Lara's magical coffee drink with our 100% cocao and coconut oil daily. If you want a highly educated Dr to help you get healthy without drugs, Dr Lara is who you want to see. If you want to rely on drugs and not take responsibility for your health, you probably should see another Dr. read more

Dr. Lara is the best doctor out there! He always listens and always wants to help his patients. He's kind, understanding, and most of all passionate about what he does. I can tell that he always wants to help his patients in any way possible. Not to mention he's probably the smartest person I have ever came across. Dr. Lara is the best doctor out there and has helped me so much in my life! I'm very grateful to have him in my life! read more