TLDR: If you have bipolar, Dr. Z is your man. If you don't, no worries, he'll treat you for bipolar anyways. ;) The 1st visit he kept saying he 'didn't have time' to listen to me, yet he had time to ask why I looked different from my picture in my chart. 'when did you cut your hair? Why did you shave the sides?' I have long hair in my profile picture. I have an undercut now. He spent no time building rapport, and was merciless asking questions about my trauma. He wanted very specific details. I've never had a psychiatrist need to know such specific details. It was traumatizing. He wasted a great deal of time wanting to know all about where I went for therapy 35 years ago, but didn't have the time to listen to my questions and concerns about what was occurring now. I kept asking 'Is this necessary?' He kept saying, "I'm just trying to get a timeline. Please answer the question. We only have so much time." He also tried to convince me to quit seeing my outside therapist, who I work well with, and instead see one at his clinic. I left upset and angry. I should not have gone back. The second visit was a video visit and he was mad at me that my sound wasn't working. He phoned and kept telling me to check my settings. He was getting agitated, so to calm him down I said, 'this seems to be working ok, lets just do it this way on the phone.' The third visit was the last. I have severe anxiety and I laugh when I'm nervous. A inexperienced psych nurse provider diagnosed me years ago with Bipolar II and put me on lithium, which did nothing, then she switched me to an antipsychotic mood stabilizer. Eventually I developed Tardive Dyskinesia, which is a very likely risk with mood stabilizers. I was unaware, but the Latuda I was on has a 30% chance of causing Tardive Dyskinesia if taken long term. I stopped the medication, but the TD never fully went away. I have it permanently now and will have to deal with that for the rest of my life. I was fine emotionally for months after stopping the medication. Then a very stressful life upheaval occurred and I was having problems with anxiety again. My therapist suggested a low dose of an SSRI. I was very nervous asking. I was afraid of this man and I have a hard time talking about my feelings. So I was laughing. I told him I laugh when I'm nervous. It seemed he didn't read his previous notes and I grew frustrated having to explain for the third time who I was and why I was there. So I was angry too. He didn't understand why I was so upset about the lingering Tardive Dyskinesia. He asked me angrily, "Who told you that you have tardive dyskinesia?" (my previous psych NP and my neurologist...) I asked him if he could consult with my therapist, he refused saying, "I see 15 patients a day, I do not have the time to consult with an outside therapist." Maybe see less people so you can do your job perhaps? So I said, "I'm sorry. I don't think this is working out, I'd like to end the call now." He refused. He said, "No let's not do that!" He continued to try and convince me I had bipolar II disorder, I was hypomanic, and I should be on lithium not an antidepressant. Lithium does absolutely nothing for me except make me feel fog headed. So I hung up on him. I should have trusted my gut after the first visit and not gone back. A different provider I saw later asked me this question about my insomnia, "But do you want to and need to sleep?" I said "YES! I'm so tired! But I CAN'T because I'm so anxious!" She said, "Then it's not hypomania. You aren't bipolar, you have severe anxiety and ptsd." No one had asked me that question before. She prescribed an SSRI, which I had taken before and did well on. The difference is night and day. I sleep 7 to 8 hours a night just fine without any other medication except the SSRI. My anxiety is much more manageable now. I'm doing a lot better. No thanks to Dr. Zanolli. read more

Dr. Zanolli has changed my life for the better. I no longer suffer from chronic insomnia, anxiety, or panic attacks. I have been seeing him for about three months and have never been so calm. My friends and family have noticed the difference and see that I don't fly off the handle under stressful situations. I tried meditation and other holistic medicines but nothing worked and then a friend recommended Dr. Zanolli. He was very understanding and after 3 weeks I was so much calmer but not a zombie. I still get upset and feel emotions but I am prepared to handle them in a much more rational manner. It also helps to sleep like a normal person again. Thank you Dr. Zanolli!!! read more

A very bad experience. My 11-year-old son's pediatrician had recommended this guy (though he had never met him or been to his office). The office leaves a lot to be desired. The building itself is little rundown. Rooms are tiny with darkly painted walls to make it even more cave-like. No windows. A somewhat depressing place, truly. You walk in and no one else is there. By that, I mean, he has no office or support staff. After a few minutes, he comes out and hands us some paperwork, but doesn't make eye contact. So, how is he as a psychiatrist? He was to do an evaluation to see if my son, who had a reaction to Zoloft, was bipolar. He spent 20 minutes with me, then 15-20 with my son, then a final 15 or so with both of us. When he sent me out and called in my son, he handed me some things to read about bipolar and kids. When I was called back in, I told him that from what he had given me to read that my son clearly wasn't bipolar. His response? 'I probably shouldn't have given you that to read.' He diagnosed my son as bipolar and wrote a prescription for a powerful drug. That was a Friday. I didn't fill it, but spent the weekend doing a lot of online research, which further convinced me that the diagnosis was wrong. I made an appointment with Dr. Hower Kwon, a child psychiatrist in Bellevue. Dr. Kwon spent an hour with my son, said he definitely was not bipolar and started him on a half dose of a child-friendly antidepressant (Celexa). The change in my son was remarkable. Dr. Kwon called me a week later just to check in and also insisted that we schedule a follow-up appointment one month out so he could more closely monitor my son's treatment. I never heard from Dr. Zanolli again - except to get a bill for what insurance and my co-pay didn't cover. He had charged us $300 for that visit of less than an hour. The Bellevue psychiatrist, who I later discovered was named one of the top 2 child psychiatrists in the Seattle area, charged $240. As Dr. Zanolli makes all too obvious: You don't necessarily get what you pay for. My other advice is when your family doctor refers you to someone, ask if he or she has ever met the doctor he or she is referring you to or visited their offices. Don't assume that your trusted doctor is necessarily standing behind the referral, but might be just making it. read more

I took my 10 year old to Dr. Zanolli despite having a negative experience with him professionally in the past (I'm a therapist). What can I say? Logistics won out, but now I feel guilty for not trusting my first impression. First of all, Zanolli doesn't have a great manner to him, which is fine for a medical doctor, but I can't imagine him actually doing therapy effectively. But, we only saw him for med management and only for an evaluation and one management session. Here are the main issues we had that led me to firing him: *He was very eager to medicate. I mentioned one emotional meltdown and he immediately suggested anti-anxiety medication, before even evaluating my step-son for anxiety! His reasoning: kids with ADD often experience anxiety. Hmm, well that doesn't mean they all do and it doesn't mean natural treatment options get totally disregarded. *He never weighed my son, despite prescribing a stimulant. *When I asked him for a mood chart, a incredibly basic psychiatric tool to moniter mood shifts, he acted put out and finally produced one saying he only had one day's worth he could spare. *His initial bill was outrageous, even for a psychiatrist. When I called to have him explain it (his billing service was unable to explain the itemized list and what each indicated and referred me back to him), I left two messages before getting a return call a week later. Then he was unable to explain his own charges! He actually told me the reason for the charges was "because that's how it's done". His initial demeanor was inpatient and condescending, but he became abrasive and verbally aggressive with me when I pressed for clarification! He actually yelled at me! Apparently I don't have the right to understand a $450 bill for a single 45 minute session. I can't believe this guy is working in this field! He showed no professionalism and behaved in a way I certainly wouldn't tolerate from my child, let alone from an adult who I'm paying to help my son with his behaviors! Needless to say I fired him on the spot and will be contacting my insurance company regarding the bill and his place on their panel. *Response to Doctor Z's response: I will not bicker with details, however many of his claims simply are not true. Again, shocked at the lack of professionalism. Lastly, it should be known that to respond to online reviews as a therapist, by current standards, is considered unethical because of confidentiality. Regardless of the client "outing themselves" initially. If you read his responses, you will see that he is disclosing information about the clients, which is breaking confidentiality. read more

It was more than once my dear. it was AT LEAST 6 times which you happily billed my insurance... if your records are so poorly kept I am happy to prove each and every claim. Also, you DIDN'T suggest I see a councilor but offered yourself to be my councilor (... which I won't go there). So that was a flat out lie (which is lie number 2 of 3) Or maybe your notes aren't accurate. You pick. Face it. You made up your mind with no real diagnosis. I didn't give my feedback about your practice lightly so take the feedback(s) and try and be a better doctor! don't just give one excuse after another. I can substantiate every fact I stated. You can't. It is even more horrific to me you would lie about the # of visits we had when that is so easy to prove. By your flat out incorrect / false comments in your reply you just cemented the reasons you have had multiple bad reviews. Lie number 3... I refused to follow your teatment advice... I did for 3 to 4 months. You wasted! Your reply is full of LIES. I hope you can sleep at night... I don't see how you can. Side note: Maybe I should send this into my insurance company so they can collect the money back since they paid you for way more then one visit Mister Zanolli?!?! read more

Its very unfortunate that the first few reviews on Dr. Zanolli are such an inaccurate portrayal of his practice. Mental health can be a very sensitive topic, but one visit that doesn't meet expectations or result in your desired outcome does not give you license to spout this level of vitriol and make broad generalizations about a professional's entire business. Too often the disgruntled few dominate the online landscape while the highly satisfied majority either do not express themselves or are glossed over. I've been seeing Dr. Zanolli now for almost a year and have benefitted greatly from his expertise and compassion. Those that visit this review page need to consider that there are a great many patients just like me, who are overwhelmingly satisfied most of whom have been seeing Dr. Zanolli for several years. I am quite certain that just like me his other patients have found tremendous benefit from a long term relationship with Dr. Zanolli. Although he is generally booked several weeks out Dr. Zanolli takes great care to establish a schedule for his repeat patients that work for them. Then, for those like me that have very dynamic and inconsistent schedules, Dr. Zanolli always does his best to shift things around and be accommodating. On more than two occasions he has flexed his office hours for me or squeezed me in between appointments to make certain my needs were met before I had to leave town for work. As a patient, when you're taking a medication that is improving your quality of life this makes all the difference. Dr. Zanolli is a mental health expert who is committed to improving the quality of his patients lives through appropriate assessment, accurate diagnosis and prescription of medications proven to be effective for treatment of mental health symptoms. I highly encourage those who are looking for: a) counseling only b) alternative medicine or c) homeopathic treatments to seek out experts in those areas. Those who need the care of an experienced, qualified, MD of Psychiatry will be quite pleased with Dr. Zanolli and will value his dedication patient mental health, well-being, and quality of life. Now, I'd like to do something that is long overdue on this page, which is to thank Dr. Zanolli, for making a difference in my life and countless others. Thank you very much. read more

I am a fairly new patient of Dr. Zanolli's and could not be happier. He is a very smart man who listens to my concerns and gives me feedback based on my needs. I came to him from a doctor that I felt was not managing my meds in the most professional of ways. Dr. Zanolli on the other hand, was able to see that the meds he was giving me where extremely beneficial to the quality of my life. I look forward to continued work with this Doctor and I would recommend the same to everyone else. read more

Dr. Gerrard Zanolli has proved to be godsend for me over the past two years. Dr. Zanolli is extremely personable and possesses a kind demeanor. Dr. Zanolli is also very adaptable and able to handle immediate crisis that sometimes occur. He was truly helpful and supportive with me especially over the past year. I had a horrid incident occur in September 2013. I was a victim of felony assault and sustained multiple head injuries. The incident provoked severe phobias, such as agoraphobia, unable to answer the phone, and a fear of leaving my bedroom. I was able to attend appts with Dr. Zanolli following the assault to process what had happened. Dr. Zanolli is the most empathetic Psychiatrist I have ever met ,who is super easy to talk to, in a comfortable environment. read more

I feel extremely fortunate to have found Dr. Zanolli, especially after getting the run-around from my insurer on covered providers. After sending an email explaining my situation, he actually called me to discuss things further. He made an appointment for me, squeezing me into his already busy schedule. He listened to me intently, was frank but courteous and laid back all at once. He explained to me what happens in the brain chemically and how outside stressors can exacerbate the condition. The medication he prescribed me has been wonderful and I'm ever so grateful to him. I'd recommend him to anyone that was struggling with mental health issues. read more

I have been going to Dr. Zanolli for over a year and I can not say enough good about the difference my life has been. Dr. Zanolli is very easy to talk to and makes you feel very comfortable. I am the happiest I've ever been. I highly recommend him. read more

Writing this on behalf of a loved one who is very happy with the treatment we have received from Dr. Zanolli. Very kind and attentive to his needs and just overall a great psychiatric professional. I accompany him to all appointments and Dr. Zanolli is so kind and welcoming to the both of us. read more

Dr. Zanolli is a great, laid back doctor. He makes you feel comfortable while providing excellent psychiatric services. I'm so glad I found Dr. Zanolli when I moved to Seattle. He worked with my records and me and my treatment didn't skip a beat- in fact it got better as I felt like I got a say in it. Also, it's generally easy to get a short notice appointment if needed through his pleasant answering service. read more

Got me out of clinical depression that lasted for almost 6 months. THANK YOU DOCTOR ZANOLLI!!!!

I have had nothing but a good experience with Dr. Zanolli. He has been kind, interested in my progress or lack there of if that is the case and explains options with me. I feel comfortable with him as my provider and have never felt taken advantage of with his price. Sometimes we just have the wrong fit, for my Dr. Zanolli has been very helpful in tough situations. read more

I'm not sure where to begin here. I see all these reviews were written years ago but here is my take. All of you complaining about Dr. Zanolli's services and professionalism. And one of you claiming to be a therapist!? Not once in the 2-3 years I have been a patient of the good Dr have I ever felt uncomfortable or question his practice. Would I still be seeing him if I did? Nowhere in his responses did I see him violating the HIPAA law. Am I missing something? Stop slandering his name and if you don't like him, go somewhere else. For the same exact yet more expensive tx. You can't put a price on good therapy. As far as the limited eye contact, Dr Zanolli is absolutely right. Some will interpret this as s challenge or a threat. I am a nurse and worked in a county psych hospital for some time and was beaten by one of my male patients for *looking at him too long*. Needless to say, I am very happy with Dr Zanolli and won't go anywhere else. Good luck to you all. read more

Not a good choice. He is a prefered provider with my insurance company. I looked him up on Yelp (after the first visit) and discovered that another reviewer shared my same rating. However, I no longer see his review. I wonder where it went??? The other reviewer said that Dr. Zanolli should take a look in his meds book once in a while to keep up. read more

Dr. Z is great! I don't understand why people are so negative about him. I would recommend him to anyone. He is kind, competent, and thoughtful. I've never had a single problem in dealing with him over the years. read more

read my review on his other yelp listing. do not chance having your life screwed up by all of the meds he says are safe but my pharmacist said were over the legal limit!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Posting about Dr. Zanolli for anyone looking for a down to earth kind of guy, he's it. For 4 yrs. I ran my friend around from shrink to shrink with to no avail. 8 doctors gave up on her and let her go as their patient. Every medication they pushed on her resulted in failure and negative side effects Her doctors did not believe her symptoms and were unwilling to bend on their opinions. She has some serious mental health issues and is a very high maintenance patient. Doctor Zanolli hung in there for her with the patience of a saint. He listened quietly and offered solutions that might work. Finally after some trials and failures he found the best medications that work for her. She is now able to live a life she can deal with and get through each day without the total meltdowns she had with the previous doctors advice. I highly recommend Dr. Zanolli. He is a knowledgeable person and a great guy. read more

I have been seeing Dr. Zanolli for 10 months now and just recently came across these negative reviews. I am shocked at what has been shared about Dr. Zanolli. I was going through a particularly stressful time in my life and thought I needed the help of a doctor and my primary care physician had just retired. In desperate need of help and hours spent on the phone one day calling many doctors offices throughout Seattle and the Eastside only one doc. cared enough to work me in their already booked schedule even though I was a new patient. Dr. Zanolli greeted me when I came in and continually checked in with me while I was waiting to be squeezed in between appointments. Being that he had no cancelations and everyone seemed to be on punctual, he ultimately sacrificed his lunch time to give me an appointment. I am so grateful to Dr. Zanolli for his dedication to the well being of his patients and to people he hasn't even seen. He is a psychiatrist and NOT a counselor and the typical amount of time psychiatrists spend with their patients is usually 15 minutes. Dr. Zanolli spends much more time with me than 15 minutes. He listens to all my concerns and addresses each and every one of them. If he feels that he is not the best doc. to treat a certain issue he will not hesitate to refer me to the type of specialist I should see. We have changed my course of treatment a few times and he is excellent on his follow up care. And if you need to speak with him between appointments he is always available by phone. He is a doctor I would definitely recommend. read more

Dr. Zanolli is great. He has helped me figure out the right combination of medications which has improved my life. I feel like listens to me and we work together and I appreciate that. I will continue seeing him. read more