Six years ago, I learned that I had early-stage heart disease, was homozygous for MTHFR and…read moreheterozygous for APOe4. My well-respected, perceptive PCP and enthusiastic, energetic cardiologist undertook a "test/prescribe/retest/monitor" regimen with a suggestion to "eat more salmon". Even though I was under the care of fine physicians, I wanted to be more proactive. My head was about to explode with this new set of circumstances, and I just about wore out my poor computer googling the hours away, becoming more confused and fearful with each new tidbit of "information." Then I found Dr. Kat Toups. Her Bay Area Wellness site, her professional philosophy, and all the five-star reviews from people she has helped convinced me that I could finally quit googling and relax under the guidance of a doctor who understood how to correct my biochemistry so that my body could heal itself. Our first few consultations felt like pure luxury! Rather than the piddling 20 minutes most physicians are allowed per patient, Dr. Toups spent hours gaining an understanding of my health status, ordering and reviewing tests and ensuring I understood what they meant. She suggested a paleo diet (yes, including salmon) and supplements specific to my needs. I became a student tutored by a brilliant, kind-hearted, generous professor. We were partners. Almost immediately I began to feel better, and my old optimism returned. My lipid profile improved, so I was able to stop taking a statin drug. Through diet and supplementation, the immune-suppressing colitis drugs my gastroenterologist told me I would be on for the rest of my life were no longer necessary. When I did experience a flare-up during my son's out-of-state wedding, Dr. Toups came to the rescue by providing long-distance guidance and helping me to calm things down. I could list several more times she has provided comfort and relief when a health hiccup presented itself; where in the world she comes up with the energy to make each of us feel like we're her only patient is a mystery to me. One of my favorite things about Dr. Toups is her knowledge of alternate therapies and her willingness to try them to help all of us gain strength and to feel more alive. She's always excited to share a new treatment option she's discovered and is joyful when we attain another health goal. Six years ago I worried that I was headed down a path of diminishing health. Today, I feel decades younger and excited to see what's around the next corner. Dr. Kat Toups continues to guide me in the right direction.

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.

Dr. Kron is comprehensively brilliant and compassionate. After reading his yelp reviews I decided…read morethat I at least had to see what the hype was all about. Believe what you read. Dr. Kron is in very high demand and I was lucky enough that he had a cancellation and the opening fit into my schedule. Dr. Kron spent many hours with me and my spouse on our initial visit going through my entire medical history; blood work, previous diagnoses, testing, medication history, and symptoms. He demonstrated a keen intellect and a very high degree of knowledge (clearly gained through a passion for his line of work and a love of learning) that he applied to my complex and confusing situation. There is no doubt that his evidence based approach, and research backed recommendations, come from a profound respect for the effectiveness of the scientific method. His previous experience as a scientist is a real asset. He seems to be able to spot salacious pseudoscience from a mile away and filter through studies that lack the controls needed to draw accurate conclusions and separate correlation from causation. He is able to handle complexity like a genius. He utilizes a latticework of mental models that can only come from intense study in many fields (nearly every subject we touched on, and there was a wide range, Dr. Kron had a surprising level of knowledge and wisdom) and many years of practice. You can't help but notice that he takes what he does seriously and cares about helping those who suffer. I always leave feeling inspired to double my efforts, follow his recommendations to the best of my ability, and seek wisdom in the same way he does. Dr. Kron was able to see what many other mental health professionals, all across the nation, had missed. I had been looking for exactly the expertise he possesses for many years. He tested me for many different conditions, listened carefully to my experience of life, took into account my family history, and appeared to fully understand what it is like to live with a condition like mine with its many complicating and interacting factors. Many doctors I had seen over the years suffered from the "man with a hammer syndrome" to which every problem looks like a nail. This myopic view fails to incorporate individual variability and keeps prescribing and diagnosing withing the proverbial box. Dr. Kron understands that, while a diagnosis can be helpful, every patient's symptoms tend to manifest in different ways and that a patient should be treated as the individual that they are. He treats people not numbers. Dr. Kron has obviously earned the right and ability to think independently after considering the best information available - the definition of a high-level expert. He listens like no other psychiatrist I have ever heard of. He is also witty as hell with a delightful sense of humor. With the new insight he was able to provide I have been able to make progress and generate hope where previously there was neither. I finally feel like I am chopping down the correct forest. A follow up visit and a fair amount of email correspondence has confirmed and reinforced my initial impressions - this guy is outstanding. He made multiple recommendations beyond medication (all of which he supported with evidence of efficacy) and the therapist he referred me to is skilled at working with my exact issues. His staff is also outstanding and kind with quick responses and creative solutions to every issue I have run into. He doesn't accept insurance (that's how the great ones often operate) but if you need the best then believe me this is a deal. A learning machine with compassion is a rare thing to find let alone one who is a board certified psychiatrist from Yale with a network that will make your jaw drop. I don't think it is possible for me to be in better hands. Thank you Dr. Kron. May your kind multiply.

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

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

He is simply the best Psychiatrist I have ever had. He is thoughtful, compassionate, always…read moreeducated on the newest research and medications. He listens to your concerns, and cares about your concerns. He helped me manage severe depression while I was in and out of hospitals year ago. He has seen me multiple times a week and months apart, whatever my needs for support were he was ready to listen and help. Really, I cannot recommend him strongly enough!! He is in Walnut Creek now, not Lafayette.

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 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.

Dr Watkins is Smart and experienced , , compassionate, responsive, and understands the need urgency…read morethe urgency of the situation.

Dr Watkins is among a handful of down-to-earth, wise and warm physicians who specializes in…read morepsychiatry. She takes the whole person into account and doesn't get sidetracked into only using medication. I have known her over a 12 year period and deeply respect her knowledge and ability to work with a wide range of conditions. As a fellow physician (and psychiatrist), I have referred to her and have nothing but positive feedback.

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.

Dr. Nanda is a very passionate caring child psychiatrist. She is not your typical psychiatrist in…read morethe regard that she actually incorporates other treatment modalities in her practice and listens to the needs of her clients/ patients. I have worked with her and other psychiatrist and she is by far the most efficient, detail orientated, compassionate individual who actually spends time with her clients/ patients in order to fully comprehend the presenting issue/ problem.

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.

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!

I reached out multiple times via email and phone over a one week period in an attempt to engage Dr…read more Balt. I specifically described what I was looking for, and politely asked if he was taking new patients. Despite my efforts, I never received any response whatsoever. This is in direct contrast to communications with 4 other providers in the area, who all were not taking new patients but all responded within 24 hours to let me know they were not available. So, you're probably asking why, since I'm not really a _customer_, am I posting this review? Because, IMO, not even bothering to respond is a red flag. If the doctor is not conscientious enough to even respond to a prospective patient in need, how can they be trusted to be there in general? Caveat emptor. == Update: After posting this review, the doctor finally contacted me (you can see his response below). I stand behind my original comments. IMO, the role of a psychiatrist, and especially the areas of focus for this doctor, requires some degree of responsiveness, and it's not unreasonable to expect a simple call or email after a week of attempted contact.

Brain Wellness Center is absolutely the best! I went into their business with a headache 24/7,…read moredepression, incapable of concentrating or functioning like I use to. I had a fall late January stitches in my eyebrow, broke my foot damaged my knees broke my fingers and wrist. It took me until the late part of June to see the doctors here at the Brain Wellness Center, wish I would've reached out sooner. The doctors here were so understanding and explained everything fully. My initial visit was to have them map my brain and give me some test to see how my brain was functioning. After that was done, they looked at the results since my main concern was the headaches that I was having, they thought they could handle it, which they did marvelously. The staff that did the TMS were so kind, funny, and cute they made me feel like I was a special client and after a short time, my headaches finally disappeared completely. The room that they did the TMS had a great view. The office was so clean smelt so good. The music in the waiting room was so nice and soothing. They had water, healthy lollipops, games for kids games for adults books anything you could think of. At the end of my procedure, they retested it to see how my brain was reacting to the procedures and to find out that I did so well it was nice seeing. I can't thank the Brain Wellness Center more for giving me my life back. I'm so happy I'm not depressed. I can figure out things I can do documents./applications, I can set up computers, firestick and other items easily. It is amazing to see how much better I'm doing. I'm sleeping better. My husband and I are enjoying going out and visiting places and doing adventures again. Thank you everyone for giving back my life and making me feel good in myself and how I think. I would definitely recommend this place. If you have any issues with your brain. Meeting their other clients and hearing their problems and how well they're doing makes me feel that more people should know about this place. Thank you!

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.