This is my second review. My story maybe a little long- but worth reading here. I'm continuing to…read morebenefit from the information and care that Dr.Toups has provided for me over the years. She uses nutrition, supplementation, medications and her superior diagnostic skills and research skills as a physician to care for her patients. Her care plans and personalized data sheets to get you on track functioning and enjoying life - they are treasures! I am turning 66 in November and recently had to review my notes and information provided by Kat regarding my initial treatments because I had fallen out of the parameters and the functional way of living (supplements when needed, nutrition and exercise) for optimal health and was not functioning.I have adhd, anxiety, depression, arthritis, TMJ, Asthma, adverse medication reactions and metabolic problems (overweight) which is giving me borderline high blood pressure,borderline pressure in my eyes (re:glaucoma), IBS and prediabetes. A recent trip to the ER - made me reevaluate the low standards of self care especially regarding diet. Kat had the good plan and I strayed. In addition, I jumped on the WFPB vegan nutrition but I could never go all in and felt hungry and unable to digest the foods. I could only lose weight eating about 800 calories a day. I believe this way of eating also led me eating more High Carb processed food especially feeding my Sugar addiction. I decided two months ago to get back on track with "High Fat" keto diet prescribed by Kat and gave absolutely no regard for scale numbers. Initially, I gained weight - but now two months in (with very few cheats) it is stabilizing and the numbers are coming down slightly. My sugar cravings are almost gone. Here is what is now happening to me eating very few carbs, HIGH FAT, mostly grass fed beef or pork or eggs, a few what I call neutral veggies (example- green beans), few berries, no seed oils, olive oil, Kerry Gold butter, and a dash of cream for 1/4 cup coffee in morning, staying away from sugar substitutes - I feel "happy" I have "energy" I am exercising - swimming over 1 mile 5 days a week, I walk on my rural property 6K to 10K steps a day,I have no aches and pains, I recover from repetitive swimming easily, my recall for names and where I place items has improved, I have no doom and gloom in the morning, My ADHD symptoms improving (able to clean up messes and organize). My figure is changing, I have definition in my biceps and calves and my waist is smaller. My weight is now concentrated in my hips and thighs and butt. My TMJ has improved. Sleep improved- not perfect yet (supplementing with Magnesium). I was able to cut my BP med in half - soon hope to eliminate. Able to stop using daily Inhaler for Asthma and haven't used my rescue inhaler in 1 month. What arthritis? Gone! My skin looks vibrant. For sugar cravings I drink bone broth. I stay full as not to stray from this way of eating and I only counted calories a few times to see how much I am really eating - it turns out to be 1500 to 2000 calories a day - that is what I feel I need. I only eat when I am hungry except if I think I might get tempted on an outing or something - I will eat before I go. Thank you Kat for helping me. I pray I will not be tempted back into the wrong diet - this way of eating and exercising is too important. I have big plans for my future and look forward to everyday.

In my desperate search for a practitioner who could help my son with his MTHFR diagnosis, I…read moreresearched & contacted many. Dr. Toups replied on a Saturday with feedback, referrals and resource links. She was not only professional, but k-i-n-d and encouraging. It made me cry. When your child is not well, it can feel like shouldering the weight of the world. It was beautiful that someone I never even met cared enough to take the time to give a generous response. I'm grateful for the list of practitioners and I'll certainly utilize it. I appreciate you Dr. Toups!

Michael is wildly brilliant. I have been dealing with ADD my whole life and through the years have…read moregone to a variety of different Psychiatrists with no real understanding of what someone with ADHD goes through. I have a fairly extreme case and this thing I deal with is affects my work and relationships in dramatic ways. Since I have started working with Michael he has been able to target my medication and help me develop strategies and systems that make it possible to me get my arms around the chaos and desperation that has defined my life for so long. He is a compassionate listener and someone whose medical expertise has given me hope and I'm truly grateful

One of the most caring, professional and dedicated psychiatrists. I highly recommend Dr Kron to…read moreanyone who has not gotten the right diagnosis, treatment , meds or a practice with integrity such as his.

Great guy I am not sure if he is retired but when I saw him in 2020 he helped me with some old BS I…read morehave been dragging around since I was a kid

I moved out of state and really miss Dr. Fisher. Finding a good replacement has been difficult. He…read moremanaged my medication for quite awhile. He is available to patients as needed- whether for occasional review of meds, or more comprehensive treatment. Seeing him is relaxing and enjoyable, and he is great at discussing treatment plans and any other concerns. Highly recommended.

I have seen Dr Hartman for 4-5 years for several mental health conditions and severe ADHD…read moredisability. He is a psychiatrist set apart from the rest in his up to date knowledge and willingness to hear my reality and not challenge it. Too many psychiatrists have incredibly out of date beliefs and knowledge regarding ADHD and judge clients as drug seekers. To be quite honest he is one of the very few mental health providers that I can trust. The large majority have tried to control my narrative causing me more trauma and distrust of healthcare providers. Laura his office manager is efficient, proactive, and quick to take action.

Highly recommend. Best experience with a psychiatrist by far…read more Pros: Patient, kind, and efficient. Works with you to avoid unwanted side effects. Listens well and lets you talk without interrupting or dismissing. Office staff is friendly as well. Cons: Only accepts Anthem and Aetna insurance.

I've known Dr. Watkins every since she was a medical student. I have worked with her and have…read moredirectly seen how much she cares for her patients She would never ask a patient for any reviews. That's just not how she is. Don't just use Yelp reviews to make the decision on which doctor to choose for you or a loved one. Call her office and you can decide for yourself! She is the kind of doctor anyone should choose. She cares so much for ALL her patients!

I was referred by my PCP for a STATmedical issue. I called for an appointment and was told that…read morethey could not schedule an appointment until the provider reviewed the imaging report and that could take up to 2 weeks. I asked if I could schedule a new patient appointment to establish some level of care in the meantime time. They refused. I patiently waited the time. Two weeks passed, no call, follow up, or appointment. I called back and was told the providers would review "when they get to it" and then they would decide about an appointment. If I was perfectly healthy, I'd have already had an appointment. This practice isn't about actual medical care. They don't care at all.

Mike T. from Pleasanton has written 33 reviews with a 1-star rating. The biggest number of his…read morereviews are 1-star. Yelp is a great way for disgruntled people to use the site to ding whoever annoyed them that particular day. My review is lengthy, because the story of finding Dr. Bloch is a year long journey. Since I fervently believe the stigma regarding mental illness needs to be obliterated, I am not leaving anything out. In August 2011, my husband dropped into a black pit of depression that lasted six months and required he sign documents swearing not to commit suicide. He did this with our general physician; with me; a few family members; and two very close friends. I couldn't stay home with him each and every day, because I was the only one generating income for our family. Every morning, I had to sit with the knowledge that I may come home and my husband would be dead. Despite the suicide contracts. My husband was on medical leave for these six months, and we began the process of finding a psychiatrist for him. As most Americans know, finding mental help is an arduous, slow process. The first appointment I could get was in late September; my husband had to wait for over a month to even SEE a mental health care provider. I dragged him to the appointment (he did not want to go but I ignored him -- I had to ignore him in order to save his life). The merry-go-round of trying various meds began. My husband felt better in the sense that he no longer wanted to commit suicide. We visited this particular psychiatrist for a year, and my husband never felt happy, or any emotion that you could describe as similar to happiness. The diagnosis (after 8 visits) was moderate to severe depression. But I knew this diagnosis was wrong. My husband was taking nothing BUT anti-depressant medication, and he still hated waking up every day. So, I began to research ADHD and depression because my spouse has Adult ADHD, which is usually co-morbid with another psychological issue, such as depression; bi-polar; or schizophrenia. I stumbled across the list of symptoms for adults who suffer from Bipolar II disorder. My husband met every single symptom. I went online to the Mayo Clinic; Stanford; and other well-respected medical institutions. The conclusion was the same each time: my husband had approximately 90-95 percent of every symptom. I also learned that individuals who have trouble finding the right course of treatment, or of being diagnosed correctly, should immediately locate a psychopharmacologist. This is a psychiatrist who specializes in pharmacology. They know everything there is to know about psych meds, how they interact with one another, the compounds/ingredients in every pill, etc. There are only 3 psychopharmacologists in Northern California, and Dr. Bloch happens to be close to where we live. I did email Dr. Bloch as my initial point of contact. I laid out my husband's mental health history, the frustration he (and I) both felt regarding meds, and the suspicion he (and I) couldn't shake that something was "off" or wrong about the diagnosis he received. I accompanied my husband to his first appointment, as his memory is faulty due to ADHD and him remembering hardly anything during his six-month crisis. Dr. Bloch asked my husband questions that were laser-sharp in their focus. I don't know how else to describe it. The psychiatrist would ask, "Do you feel the world would be better off without you?" but Dr. Bloch would ask, "Do you have moments when you feel depressed, and then moments when you feel less depressed, or perhaps no depression at all? How long do those moments last? How often do you experience them? Several times a day, a few hours a day, or something else?" Okay, that's an example I am pulling from memory over 2 years ago. But I hope it shows how Dr. Bloch doesn't stop at asking you generic questions. Not only that, he diagnosed my husband ON HIS INITIAL VISIT that he did not suffer from moderate to severe depression. My husband has Bipolar II co-morbid with his ADHD. That same day, my husband called the psychiatrist and severed that relationship. I will never forgive that man for failing my husband, for failing me, and for continuing to endanger the life of the man I love. Dr. Bloch has no staff. You talk to him and to him only. He prefers that his patients email him, but at your first appointment, HE GIVES YOU HIS PERSONAL CELL PHONE NUMBER if you have an emergency. Dr. Bloch is Olympic-level smart, and friendly and nice and has a sense of humor! Something most specialists do not possess. I'm sure my review will make it more difficult for us to get appointments, but I don't care. Dr. Bloch saved my husband's life and our marriage. He is my personal god and I worship him. Visits are $175 and worth every damn penny. Please, if your story is similar to mine, do whatever it takes to see Dr. Bloch. Your money and time could change your life.

I have had mixed experiences with Dr. Bloch. While he is adept at communication and promptly…read moremanages prescriptions, his approach as a psychiatrist leaves much to be desired. He can be brilliant when you first see him but then as conflict from medication management comes, seeing him long-term comes with real complications. PROS: *Communication: Dr. Bloch is responsive to emails and efficient in ordering medication. *Medication Knowledge: He demonstrates a strong grasp of medication combinations. *Pleasant Interaction: Working with him is comfortable in low-pressure situations. CONS: *Lack of Transparency: Dr. Bloch's recommendations sometimes lack clarity, and his treatment decisions can seem arbitrary. I had on multiple occasions because of contracting nasty side effects said, "I don't want to be on this medication again." Dr. Bloch would forget what I said and recommend the medication (typically anti-psychotic) again at another point in time. *Conflict Management Challenges: He struggles to manage conflicts professionally, which can be frustrating if you are a long-term patient with volatile health challenges. *Inadequate Side Effect Guidance: I was not adequately informed about potential side effects, leading to unpleasant surprises. It is even more complicated when Dr. Bloch does not follow through with additional appointments for medication management. It is all on you to do the heavy lifting in scheduling follow-ups. *Poor Collaboration: Dr. Bloch's communication with other providers is inconsistent, leading to discrepancies in treatment plans. Additionally at follow-ups, his evaluation process is by-the-book, and the meetings can feel rushed where conversation is not as open as you want it to be. *People-Pleasing Tendencies: If under pressure, his approach can prioritize patient preferences over clinical necessity, leading to ineffective treatment strategies. *Lack of Organization in His Practice: Unfortunately, Dr. Bloch does not have a good medical records system by which to keep track of information. He could benefit from having staff working for him or at least use a digital system by which to keep track of medical records and at least make them more visible for patients upon request. Perhaps having a website that includes a Patient Portal option for patients would help. While Dr. Bloch has solid credentials, his lack of true collaboration makes it difficult for me to see how he is effective as a psychiatrist. Patients seeking an involving, collaborative approach may need to look elsewhere for a psychiatrist who can better manage their expectations.

Do not use her. She worked with my son for 2 years. In my final meeting talking to her, she was…read morerude and unprofessional to me, cut me off multiple times, rolled he eyes at me (yes!!), and told me that I talked too much. Stunned that she is actually licensed. (And yes, after being rude to me for 20 minutes and ending the telecall she still charged me for the full 45 minutes. I know it's hard to find a provider right now, but do your child and yourself a favor and keep looking.

I've been seeing Dr. Nanda for about 6 years now, so I feel like I can make a pretty fair…read moreassessment of my time with her as a patient. I took a lot of time to reflect and think clearly before writing this review, because I want it to be truthful and fair. Initially my appointments went well and she was helpful. I went to her needing a lot of help with depression and anxiety and getting started on medications. Her private practice was also very new at the time. Over time, as her practice has grown, I have experienced a pretty severe decline in the patient care provided. Our appointments have become less focused on me, and much more focused on her and her stressors in life. I feel a good majority of the appointments lately have been her ranting or venting about various different situations or politics. The most recent appointment with her solidified my decision that I need to move on to a new practitioner. She has said things in the past that I have found offensive, but overlooked. This past appointment went too far. I had contacted her the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve (it was Monday, December 28th), needing a refill on a medication. She had specifically instructed me to email her. Well, she happened to be on vacation. No heads up to her clients that she would be out of town; she has never given me any notice of when she travels or vacations. I feel like abandoning your patients without notice and without a backup practitioner when you're working in mental health is simply wrong. I was having a very difficult time, expressed my concerns to my therapist, who subsequently reached out to her too. She then refilled my medication on December 31st (New Year's eve). During my next appointment with her, she was extremely aggressive with me, blamed me for ruining her holiday with her family, stating that she didn't get to spend New Year's Eve with her family because she had to "work" putting in a refill for me (New years eve is not a holiday, just to be clear. I had another in person doctor's appointment that day). She verbatim stated that she "would never contact her doctor on new years eve". She verbatim stated that she felt angry with me and that I don't understand how difficult it is to be a health care practitioner during covid. I replied that covid has been difficult for everyone, not just health care practitioners. She insisted it has been MORE difficult for her, comparing herself to me, a stay-at-home mother. She is not a mother and has no insight on what being a mother entails, especially during a global pandemic. The fact that she would compare herself and her struggles with mine and insinuate that she has it tougher than I do, is just straight up rude and unprofessional. Prior to my choice to be a stay-at-home mother, I worked in mental health. Never, ever, would I tell a patient that I was angry with them. I have had patients physically assault me, and never told them that I was angry with them. I have never heard any treatment team member I have ever worked with say that to any patient, in any hospital. It's just unfathomable that she would say this to me and extremely hurtful as well. I don't deserve to be spoken to the like that or compared to her, and neither does anybody else. She also consistently states that this is not her only job, which definitely sends the message that this is not her priority. Communication with her assistant has been poor, and when I pointed it out, she defended her, stating that it's also not her only job. It really gives the impression that this has become her side gig for making extra money and not her priority. At $250 for a 30-minute session, I should be treated like a respected patient. There are so many options for psychiatrists, and I understand the pains of finding somebody that clicks with you. Nobody will be perfect. But keep looking until you find one that truly wants to help you, isn't just about the money, and above all us, respects you. I do wish Dr. Nanda the best of luck with her practice and I hope she learns from her mistakes. I'll also note that all of the positive reviews here, are written by her colleagues. None of them are from her patients.

I'm discouraged to write this because I was genuinely excited after reading so many positive…read morereviews and how thoughtfully this doctor describes his approach. Unfortunately, my experience mirrors another reviewer's: I first reached out over a week and a half ago, left multiple voicemails, and followed up asking to briefly learn more about his approach, but never received a response. I understand he likely has a full practice and other priorities. That said, it would be helpful if his voicemail or profile set clearer expectations around response times or availability, or noted if he's not taking new clients. Silence after multiple follow-ups is disappointing. I personally rely heavily on reviews when making decisions about providers, and I'm leaving this for others who do the same. He sounded great based on reviews and his profile, but based on my experience, he does not seem very communicative. Bummer. :(

You'll find no one else even close to Dr. Steve Balt, in terms of his expert skill, sincere empathy…read morefor his patients, and uniquely effective approach to mental health treatment.  If you've grown exasperated or etiolated with other providers who just won't *listen* to you; if you're looking for someone to selectively challenge your thoughts to inform your "gestalt" to you and others, as appropriate; or, if you just need someone you can trust to have your best interest at heart, I can personally attest to the fact that you should see Dr. Balt now, while you can. The rough can only obscure a gem like Dr. Balt for so long.  Dr. Balt's style precludes traditional "paper" diagnoses, which, at least to me, makes the most sense because no one can maintain with any level of confidence that their thinking and psyche can be wholly and correctly labeled in a box. Let's face it: our thinking is fluid, as our issues may be of mercurial function. Dr. Balt not only fully understands this truth but clearly relates to it in his treatment, which I would describe as medication-assisted psychotherapy.  Seeing Dr. Balt every other week since Summer 2018 has been perhaps the most rewarding experience I've accrued in that same timespan. I had seen other providers, but only Dr. Balt recognized my issues as specific to only me, as a person.  Dr. Balt's "collective" approach assures that you won't be stuck scarfing down tablets for reasons you don't fully understand or agree with, and compromise is the name of the game when loggerheads nears broaching.  Without delving into my personal issues, suffice it to say that complexities have been manifold, and I've honestly actually come to eagerly await each and every meeting with Dr. Balt!

Nothing but quality care at this place! The office staff was helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly…read more I recommend this to anyone needing treatment for severe depression.

This past year, I experienced an extremely traumatic family crisis that completely upended my…read moreworld. For months, I struggled with severe anxiety, depression, and debilitating PTSD symptoms. Medication was only helping a little bit, and I didn't want to rely solely on it. I was looking for something that could provide more immediate and lasting relief, which led me to the Brain Wellness Center in San Ramon for TMS treatment. Before beginning treatment, I was in profound distress. I experienced intense visceral emotional reactions and PTSD symptoms that felt overwhelming. My trigger responses were debilitating and sometimes turned violent--I was throwing things, breaking things, and unable to control my rage. The emotional flooding was extreme, often leaving me gasping for air and doubled over in pain. I had strong urges to self-harm and uncontrollable impulses toward physical aggression, which I sometimes acted on. I couldn't engage in any therapeutic work--I couldn't even look at books about my type of trauma without becoming dysregulated. My mind was trapped in constant rumination and obsessive thoughts. The anxiety was so severe that I felt like I was losing myself. After completing 50 sessions of TMS, the transformation has been remarkable. I developed motivation for basic self-care like going to sleep early and taking vitamins--things that felt impossible before. When triggered now, I still feel anger surge through me, but I no longer have the urge to be physically aggressive. I can now engage in therapeutic work, reading books about my trauma and participating in therapy discussions. I still feel discomfort, but it's manageable--not the dysregulating panic I experienced before. I've learned to disengage and down-regulate when triggered. I'm calmer and better able to care for myself instead of drowning in obsessive thoughts. The compulsion toward physical aggression has dramatically decreased. My anxiety is much less intense--I can redirect my attention to self-care, and the upset no longer overwhelms me. Most importantly, I'm no longer on my knees or doubled over in emotional pain. I am able to walk toward healing. The doctors at Brain Wellness Center are truly exceptional. Both Dr. Hashemian and Dr. Palmer are deeply compassionate, excellent listeners, and incredibly knowledgeable--they've been doing this work for decades and are true experts. I felt confident I was in capable hands. What I appreciated most was their honest approach with no sales pressure. They truly want you to make the best choice for you, whether that means working with them or another TMS specialist. They were thorough in their assessments and committed to tracking progress systematically. Week by week, I could literally see the steady decline in my anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms through their comprehensive measurements. The most dramatic improvement was in my anxiety symptoms. I would say that I started feeling really noticeable relief from my symptoms after about 6 sessions. Next to the treatment's effectiveness, I was most impressed with the staff. Mayra, Angelica, Autumn, and Olivia work seamlessly as the techs and coordination team. They are incredibly kind, consistently professional while genuinely warm and caring, and highly skilled. You can tell they're happy in their work environment. They were efficient with scheduling, accommodating with changes, and excellent at follow-through and communication. Appointments always started on time, and the facility was meticulously clean. I felt genuinely taken care of throughout all 50 sessions. TMS at Brain Wellness Center gave me my life back. I went from being unable to function, violent in my reactions, and contemplating self-harm to being able to engage in healing work, regulate my emotions, and move forward with my life. The relief I sought--something more immediate and lasting than medication alone--is exactly what I found. If you're struggling with depression, anxiety, or PTSD, I cannot recommend Brain Wellness Center highly enough. Thank you to Dr. Hashemian, Dr. Palmer, Mayra, Angelica, Autumn, and Olivia for helping me find my way back to myself. The healing journey continues.

Caring and brilliant- saved my life! Personal-able and spends a lot of time getting to know you…read moreand understand your symptoms and medical history. I adore him and Nan!

Dr. Michael Kron is a wonderful, smart, caring, astute psychiatrist. He spent a really long time…read morewith me for the initial assessment. Before seeing him I filled out some questionnaires and even with that his personal touches somehow made me feel like if I disclosed to him truthfully that he was trustworthy. I immediately liked him..he has a nice trustworthy face and earnest demeanor and really worked hard to come up with an extremely accurate picture of me...with his questions unearthing things that I had forgotten. Dr Kron is an excellent diagnostician. I feel very comfortable recommending clients to him and going to him myself. His invisible but invaluable assistant Nan is super nice and helpful as well. I feel very lucky to have found him.