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!

From my very first appointment, Dr. V actually listened, and understood where I was coming from…read more That alone set him apart. He recognized what I needed right away, and starting the right medication truly changed my life. I came to him in a very dark place, to the point where my mental health was affecting my ability to function. Today, I'm stable, productive, and genuinely happy. What also made a huge difference is that he's always responsive. He doesn't leave you hanging or add to your anxiety with delays or excuses. When I've reached out in crisis, I felt heard and supported every time. I'm incredibly grateful to have found him. He helped me get my life back, and I would absolutely recommend him.

I started seeing Dr. Vedantham in early 2020. At the time, I was struggling with depression and…read moreanxiety, which he diagnosed very quickly, and prescribed medications that helped me become a better version of myself. He takes a careful approach to psychiatry, allowing some time to pass before drawing conclusions about the effectiveness of treatment. Shortly after I started seeing him, the pandemic began and everything became worse. I lost my father to COVID, and then very nearly lost my job. During this time, Dr. Vedantham was very responsive, helping me through these tumultuous years. I feel immense gratitude towards him for helping me get where I am now.

He's really great doctor, really confident, and makes me feel confident. My favorite part is he's…read moreDr, Stanford and he practices in Berkeley :-)

This psychiatrist is a genius with medication and all around extremely knowledgeable professional.read more

NOTE: If you plan on scheduling an assessment, anticipate it to be at least several months out. I…read morescheduled mine in January 2025, starting all the way back in August 2024. Not a gripe, just a heads up! About a year ago, my therapist and I suspected I may have ADHD-- which kicked off the tedious search for a reputable while reasonably-priced clinic for a formal assessment. After calling my insurance, requesting referrals from Sutter, and doing my own research, I finally came across Savera via Rula Health. I worked with Carolyn and Dr. Naylor. After speaking briefly on the phone, we scheduled dates for a virtual intake and on-site assessment. The earliest availability for both was 6~ months later. The virtual intake over Zoom was thorough. Carolyn and Dr. Naylor were patient and friendly. I felt that they treated sensitive topics with great tact. A few days later, I drove to their Oakland clinic for my assessment. The facility is tidy and clean, just a bit dated. The building is near Lake Merritt, surrounded by street parking (metered). The directory inside the building is clear; I was able to find their clinic with no issue. The assessment itself was quite comprehensive and data-oriented. After my assessment, we scheduled a virtual call on my results. They walked me through their analysis and recommendations on next steps. My therapist was happy to work with them to figure out a treatment plan. I also received a 30-page PDF detailing everything discussed-- extremely insightful! I highly recommend Savera for the combined quality of care and insurance coverage.

I was looking for a leadership coach (paid by my company). I was one of the senior managers of my…read morecompany. I rolled the dice and found Amrita on yelp. I've been through leadership coaching before but not 1 on 1. Amrita (she said I could call her by her first name) really dug deep into why I react/act towards certain situations. Of course I think it helps if you can be completely honest with yourself. The one thing I didn't want to do is change who I was. Amrita made me realize that that is why I was there. To change...not my authenticity but to change how I approached things. I shed a few tears, which was a surprise for me. Sometimes I left drained because the sessions made me go to places that were uncomfortable (truth). Amrita listened. I mean she was really paying attention to what I was saying. She never appeared bored. It took me a while to open up to her, not optimistic that she could provide anything new. But she did. Unfortunately, I left the company and was only able to spend 3 months with Amrita. But in those 3 months, she taught me a lot and I use what I learned all the time. I would highly recommend Amrita.

I've been a patient in with Cara since 2016, and it has truly been a transformative experience…read more Before meeting her, I was living my life never quite feeling right. Despite my concerns, my HMO doctor repeatedly told me there was nothing wrong. I had resigned myself to the idea that I would spend the rest of my life feeling slightly off--unwell, but not sick enough for doctors who treat based on statistics to take action. Then I was introduced to Cara. She listened to me, ran blood tests that my primary care doctor deemed unnecessary, and discovered an issue that had been overlooked. She began treatment right away but didn't stop there. She continued to listen, test, and make adjustments to my care, refining the approach until I truly started to feel better. Cara is very direct and precise in her treatment approach. For instance, when I started taking a vitamin she hadn't recommended, she made her disapproval clear. That's because she cares deeply about your health and expects you to be an active partner in your care. She's thoughtful, knowledgeable, and always up to date on the latest research. Cara ensures that your treatment is holistic, with a focus on healthy living, vitamins, and medication working together to support your overall well-being. I would recommend Cara to anyone ready to understand why they don't feel the way they should--those truly seeking to improve their well-being. Today, I can honestly say that I wake up feeling energetic, happy, and without anxiety or depression--something I never thought possible!

I just had an initial call with Cara, and I feel dumbfounded and shell-shocked. She came across as…read morerobotic and completely devoid of empathy. She repeatedly questioned my therapist's credentials and emphasized the importance of laying out one's entire educational and training history on their website. I found this to be extremely digressing, rude, and off-putting. Really - this is what you want to focus on after I answered your questions about the trauma I am experiencing? She asked me towards the end of the call if I had any questions. Before I could even formulate my question, she cut me off and explained that she's the "most expensive" because of XYZ and that quote "I only work with people where money isn't an issue for them". During this mini tirade, she emphasized how a lot of people expect a magic pill. When I reminded her (gently) that I had mentioned in our email exchange that I specifically do NOT expect a magic pill, she suddenly grew defensive and said "okay sorry but I receive 1000 emails a day and I can't be expected to remember everything. I am human too." Is this how a "top-tier" psychiatrist is supposed to treat prospective clients? I am shaking as I type this out. It was as if she has NO CLUE on how to talk to people who are suffering greatly with their mental health. STAY. AWAY. Also - read her responses to the negative reviews that she receives on Yelp. Just completely devoid of human emotion - just cookie cutter, professional speak. No honest accountability for her actions. No genuine apologies. There's a level of sociopathy that I believe has helped her achieve the success that she has achieved - by removing human emotion and empathy for others out of the equation, she's discovered that she can make a lot of money (but she only serves people who don't have a problem with money - remember that!)

Dr. Mindy is the best doctor I've ever had. She's been my psychiatrist for over 15 years, since I…read morewas a child. Without her, I never would have gotten my mental health under control or been able to excel in my career. She's kind, patient, honest, extremely knowledgeable, and passionate about what she does. Every appointment she teaches me something new. I can't recommend her enough.

Dr Mindy I have know for over a decade and her continuous care and professionalism is outstanding…read more Many times I came to see her feeling like I am at the end of my rope and she ALWAYS has an answer of how we can make things work with a different medication, a different solution and never gives up. I owe her so much for without these medications and her confidence and care I wouldn't be able to function and I am functioning very well now. Even though she moved out of town I still see her through Telehealth as she truly is the BEST!

The best neuropsychologist in the Bay Area. Dr. Grandison has been in practice for 20 years,…read moreconducting neuropsychological assessments with children of all ages with a wide range of neurocognitive and developmental disorders. Most recently she was the Director of the Neuropsychology Assessment Service at Children's Hospital Oakland. Trained at Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, she has practiced at Massachusetts General Hospital and UCSF where she still is Assistant Clinical Professor. She currently maintains a full time private practice in Berkeley, CA.

Dr. Grandison did a thoughtful and complete neuropsych evaluation of my son. We are grateful for…read moreher insight and recommendations. She explained everything thoroughly. My reluctant son even enjoyed working with her. I highly recommend her.

Hi. My name's Warren and I have ADHD…read more The average person tends to believe this is something that affects kids who later grow out of it; that IS the case sometimes but there is no guarantee that ADHD just *poof* magically goes away when one turns 12 or 18 or 21. The symptoms were first noted in 1789 by a Scottish doctor. No doubt ADD-or the now more correct term-ADHD has been around as long as there have been humans on Earth. I have the not uncommon double whammy of dyslexia and ADHD. In order to get through grammar and high school and into the halls of higher learning, I long ago learned a lot of tricks and coping mechanisms to help me deal with and navigate life with dyslexia. I tended to give short shrift to the ADHD since it never made me the kid who outrageously disrupted things in the classroom. I was never boisterous, I could sit and pay attention reasonably well (though there was and still are good and bad days for that) for an entire school day, I rarely lost/misplaced things and tended to have pretty good impulse control. There had been times in the past where I'd worked in office settings and that is when I noticed how easily distracted I could be. As a result, I then became irritable, impatient and (for lack of better words) chronically frustrated and subclinically angry. I knew from youthful experimentation that stimulants and I did not get along well at all. By the same token, being constantly annoyed, aggravated and routinely cursing under my breath most of my waking hours was not doing my mental health or my social life any favors. Time to seek medical help. Dr. Chappell advertised as a psychiatrist who worked with and treated folks who had ADHD so I reluctantly made an appointment with her. I say "reluctantly" because I knew that part of the treatment would involve pharmaceuticals. UGH. Dr. Chappell is extremely down to earth, personable, gentle, patient and very kind. I was adamant in telling her I did not want to take any amphetamines. She listened and explained that she would need to do a few drug trials to see what would and would not work for me-so I had my first go round with a miniscule dose of Ritalin (and by that I mean I got a pill, cut it up into what amounted to crumbs and took ONE crumb). After ingesting that wee crumb and being WIDE AWAKE for 25 hours, furiously scrubbing my surroundings with an old tooth brush, I called her and told her I was on a cleaning marathon and felt like my head was going to explode. Of course she told me not to touch another bit of the Ritalin. We explored Strattera next. I was not thrust into cleaning mode but I had odd sucidal ideation with this one. I'd find myself out and about, thinking I was okay, looking at traffic and feeling very definitely that walking out into the street and in front of a bus was absolutely a fine thing to do. The vertigo that accompanied taking this crap was also disquieting. After a week of dizziness and lots of "stay on the curb; do not step into traffic" self talk, the sample blister pack of Strattera went into the trash with her blessing. Dr. Chappell was not just dispensing meds; she was giving me hope and supportively listening to my struggles with dyslexia as well as the ADHD. I wound up doing something I had dreaded-weeping in her office. She listened actively, asked good and probing questions and reassured me that I was not any of the things I had been called all my life-"retard," "slow," "dummy," "space cadet," "crazy," "lazy," "underachiever," "chronic interrupter," "tempermental" and so on. I had sessions with her where we both laughed for most of the therapeutic hour, where she offered me coaching referrals for my math phobia and most where she shored up my life long doubts and insecurities. She was also supremely skilled at gently calling me out when I was being dishonest, avoiding things, playing at power trips and head games in my sessions with her. Sometimes I left her office angry but later, when my cooler self took over, I saw and felt the wisdom in an insight that had previously made me sulky and agitated. With her persistence and patience, we found an off label, non-stimulant and very gentle medication that put my irritability and inner turmoil to rest. Around the same time, I also took a serious look at my diet (too much caffeine, too much self medication with weed) and started doing mindfulness meditation. With the combination of talk therapy, medication and new self awareness, I started to feel like a more even tempered, better person to be around. Damn-I even found myself able to accomplish much more in a day without feeling like I was struggling or half under water. So-is this review a covert one for medication? No. I think it's more about not giving up in finding a medical professional like Dr. Chappell who will treat you not just as a set of symptoms or a syndrome but as a whole person, a good person, one who deserves to be heard and to be assisted in becoming their best self.

After being diagnoses with cancer I began a search for a mental health professional to help me. I…read moreread numerous glowing reviews of Dr. Presberg on Berkeley Parents Network and read that he only works with patients with cancer or who have family members with cancer. Due to the pandemic we talk on the phone. I cannot express how much he has helped me. I don't know how I would have made it through chemotherapy without his words of wisdom and support. Likewise getting through chemo/radiation and then surgery. He is empathetic, understanding, smart and very insightful. At one point during chemotherapy I was having overwhelming emotions. He asked if I was getting steroids with my chemo. Bingo! Being able to understand the cause made such a difference. This is just one example of the many ways he has helped me navigate a very scary period of my life. I feel that every appointment I have had with him has been extremely educational and valuable to me.

Dr. Presberg has been my doctor for over five years. His practice is limited to patients with…read morecancer or who have family members with cancer. He is an exemplary psychiatrist and professional with great knowledge and insight.

Excellent Services Very Professional And Caring…read more Always A Pleasure To Speak with My Dr. About My Health Care Needs..AMEN

Reading the reviews on here really validates how my son felt when he got off the phone with Dr…read moreDismond. When my son expressed the desire to go into graphic arts he asked him "what are you, a kid?" Proceeded to tell him he should be an electrician or plumber and not waste his time and money on college. He was rude and hostile from the beginning and anytime my son expressed himself he belittled him and basically told him he was wrong. He definitely thinks only his opinions have merit and really doesn't care about what the patient has to say. It was extremely disappointing. Waste of time and money. Avoid at all cost.