I want to begin by clarifying that this review is not based on the actual services provided, as unfortunately I never had the opportunity to receive care. Instead, this is a reflection of my experience interacting with the office and its handling of my situation. I am an active-duty service member with over 13 years of service, and at the time of this situation, I was stationed overseas in Bahrain. I scheduled an appointment months in advance while planning a trip back to the United States to handle important personal matters, including custody arrangements. I was referred to this practice by my ex-wife, who spoke positively about their services despite the high cost. However, during that time, government shutdowns significantly impacted military pay. Like many others, I found myself in an unexpected financial hardship due to delayed compensation. On top of that, my travel back to the U.S. was severely disrupted. Flight changes and delays left me stranded in the Philippines with my children, forcing me to spend an additional $1,500-$2,000 on emergency lodging, transportation, and other necessities. As soon as I realized I would not be able to make my appointment, I made an effort to notify the office. While in transit, I sent a text message explaining my situation, believing I was contacting a valid business line. I also followed up with a detailed email explaining the circumstances and expressing my desire not to cancel, but simply to reschedule. I made it clear that I still intended to receive services and continue care with them when I was financially stable. Despite this, I was charged a cancellation fee. After explaining my financial hardship, the fee was reduced to half, which I initially appreciated. However, even that reduced amount was not something I could afford at the time, given the circumstances I had just endured. I communicated this clearly and respectfully, hoping for understanding and flexibility. What I received instead was a response focused solely on policy and payment. Even after explaining that I did not have the funds and was dealing with significant personal and financial strain, the priority remained collecting the fee. I was informed that if payment was not made, the balance could eventually be sent to collections. This was incredibly disheartening. What impacted me most was the lack of compassion. This is a mental health-focused practice--an environment where empathy and understanding should be foundational. Yet, even when presented with a situation involving financial hardship, disrupted travel, and ongoing military obligations, there was little effort made to truly support or work with me beyond minimal concessions. Im, currently still overseas, in an active conflict environment, facing real and immediate dangers. Missile threats and attacks are not abstract concerns--they aree happening in real time, near where I live and work. While dealing with these life-threatening conditions, I continued receiving communication about a $275 charge for services that were never rendered. today as missile sirens are going off I called and paid the $275 out of the limited funds I have remaining, not because I agreed with the charge, but to stop the ongoing stress and pressure during an already overwhelming situation. It is difficult to reconcile risking one's life in service to a country--protecting the freedoms that allow businesses to operate--with the experience of being treated without empathy or flexibility in return. This was not just a financial issue; it was a human one. I had hoped to experience the level of care and professionalism reflected in the positive reviews I had seen. Unfortunately, my experience fell far short of that expectation. My interaction with this practice was marked not by care or understanding, but by rigid policy and a lack of compassion during a time when it was needed most. I sincerely hope this feedback encourages reflection and change. Situations like mine may not be common, but they are real--and how they are handled matters deeply. I dont expect special treatment but, a little humanity would be nice giving the circumstances. I have email correspondence as proof I basically begged for some understanding. Now I would never spend my money here. How can people who say their passion is to help others act like this. I guess it only matters when there can be a price put on it. for a place that claims to love helping people, that didn't show up here at all. I don't expect special treatment because i'm military, I expect some sort of humanity and morals. I guess they only care to help if a price tag is attached to it. This place will never get my business! if I could go zero stars I would. read more

This is the best clinic ever! It is very clean, organized, and just a nice space. Also Dr Austin was very nice to me and I really recommend this place to the future patients. I Definitely recommend this clinic. read more

Amazing!! Scheduled an appointment last week for Dr. Austin....a phone appointment at that. Got a call yesterday that they needed a credit card on file in order to honor the appointment. I have been out of town and my appointment isn't for another 3 days. Got a call yesterday to please call with a credit card for their file, then received 7 phone calls back to back at 11:08 am this morning....while I was on the plane returning home....who calls 7 straight times if it isn't an emergency? The message basically says that since I didn't call back they were canceling the appointment. For a group of NDs that are theoretically supposed to be there to provide care to their patients, it seems to me that they really are only concerned with lining their pockets. Happy to take my business elsewhere.....should have known when I checked out their website....a ton of information about what it is going to cost and to get your credit card ready. read more

This is a scam. After 6 months you are told to leave a review in order to get more product. Then after 3 months and you need more product, they want to charge you for it even though you paid $8,500 up front with the promise that you would never have to pay any more for the rest of your life! read more

I'm a healthcare professional myself and though I'm in a different industry and haven't practiced in many years, I was excited to see an ND in this area to talk about bioidentical hormone therapy. After completing a comprehensive online history, I arrived to my appointment, where it seemed the doctor hadn't bothered to review anything I had taken almost an hour to write in the required documents. We walked through my history extensively, and despite saying I wanted a consultation for menopause and bioidentical hormone therapy, she tried to push one blood test after another on me (can you say "$$$"?). Do I give a flying furry flaming rat's arse about my apolipoprotein b levels??? Especially after I've just read out to the doctor what my lipid panel from Scripps results were (fabulous results, by the way)?? Why are you pushing autoimmune testing on me? B12 levels? etc? I was there to have my hormones checked and my bioidentical hormone therapy discussed and potentially adjusted. Plus, how many times do I have to talk about a key health issue, though not one I was there to talk to her about (and I wrote it in my online history!) before the doctor freakin' understood that I HAVE IT! (and again, in case you missed it....IT'S IN THE BLOODY ONLINE HISTORY I FILLED OUT!!). Let's also mention the bagging on allopathic medicine as I scrolled through the tests my own specialists had ordered for me. After I said "Sorry, it's taking me awhile to scroll through these because these 3 doctors have all ordered the same tests...hahaha leave it to men to not talk to each other" I heard "OH THAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH ALLOPATHIC MEDICINE!" No......no it isn't. These three specialists are all concerned with my health and are all wanting to check these tests as part of my treatment plan. Their only downside is they are all ordering the same ones....but to make absolutely sure the tests are done. Let's not bag on (insert a derogatory tone from the doctor here) "allopathic" medicine when you haven't been listening for the whole hour I've been talking to you, and two of those three "allopathic" doctors literally saved my life last year! Nope....it was "you need this test", "I want to see this test result", "you should do this test", and on and on. I can get a comprehensive metabolic panel from my primary care doctor, and a B12 test, and a CBC, etc. I don't need to pay for these through Prime Wellness (they don't take insurance), when I was CLEARLY stating that I was focused on my menopause and hormone levels! After an extraordinary amount of time just repeating what I had already written in the online patient history a few days before, she finally took my blood pressure. Guess what...it was high. Want to know why? Because I had lost an hour out of my life I can't get back, to a 'doctor' that didn't read the intake forms I was required to fill out, didn't listen through the visit, and was focused on tests, tests, tests (a very "allopathic" medicine model - interestingly enough; when you can't bother to listen, just run a test). I had said I would get a few tests through their lab, only because it would be easier than calling my primary care doctor, but when I went to check out I heard that "oh...well there's really no point in ordering any blood tests through Vibrant (the testing lab) unless you order $250 worth." Surprise! Yeah. No thanks. The only real "advice" I was given through this visit?? "Stop taking pedialyte because it's full of artificial sweeteners and dextrose and that could contribute to high sugar and increase hemoglobin a1c." Yeah.....or it could be because of all the things I had written in my history (that you ignored), which were also things I talked about for the hour long visit and had to repeat over and over again before you realized I have the condition and know what I'm talking about. But... she would have had to be listening to me and thinking about all of that, instead of just trying to push blood tests on me. Oh, by the way, I was charged $500 for this BULLSHT....when I had been told that the doctor I saw was less than that cost (vs the owner Dr Austin). But guess what - they don't tell you the cost of the visit when you check out (shame on me for not double checking vs what I had been told over the phone). So yeah....there's that too. Guess they had to make up for knowing I wasn't paying for any blood tests from them. Good luck. Make sure you're told the pricing up front AND before you check out so you can reconcile the information before you pay. My opinion is you're MUCH better off seeing one of their clearly hated "allopathic" doctors, especially since many are making sure they are educated on integrative medicine practices these days anyway. In fact, one of the dreaded "allopathic" doctors that this 'doctor' had been deriding, had told me which vitamins he wanted me to be taking prior to my complex surgery, and included vitamins in my treatment post-surgery to facilitate healing. read more

I am a very grateful for Dr Austin and Michelle and appreciate all they have done for me over the past 5 years. I am a completely different person . I suffered from several medical problems and was scared and lost in trying to understand what was happening with my body . Google and the plethora of doctors I was seeing made it all worse. Dr Austin helped me make sense of it all and put me on a path to recovery and I fell better than i have in decades. Michelle is very knowledgable and compassionate and is a great partner to dr austin . Dr Austin is busy because she is that good and well worth the wait to see! read more

I've been going to Dr Austin for around 10 years. The staff there are very professional, very helpful, and caring. I recommend them to friends. I always look forward to my visits for my vitamin shots etc. read more

The staff are extremely well informed on all area of education and training they can adapt overcome and improvise any situation that arises read more

Prime Wellness - Naturopathic/Holistic Near Me - San Diego, California

After calling Prime Wellness, I was given an appointment immediately. I went to this place early September and asked for blood work. I asked for help as I felt very sick and had chronic pain, depression, anxiety, sleeplessness. They withdrew blood and charged me for vitamin shots. The staff scheduled another appointment with Dr. Kelly Austin for late October, stating they might call earlier if something opens up. It took me 3 days to get on the schedule for the 1st appointment. My blood work was submitted to the lab and the faxed results returned to PW 2 days following. My triglycerides were 377. Not to mention so many other problems. They didn't call me until a month after they received the results. Then, they want to wait 3 months for blood work updates. And I feel awful with the same symptoms. They charged an enormous amount (don't accept insurance) and set up a phone appointment with another doctor at another location. It's just a grind. Go to a doctor who wants to help. This place is a fancy machine. Good luck. read more

As a healthy (still somewhat young) man, I don't think about going to the doctor much. As a matter of fact, I try to avoid it - especially since our American medical system is screwed up on a fundamental level. But, I want to not only stay healthy but I also want to optimize my health. Working with Dr. Austin is much different than a traditional doctor/patient relationship. We started with a very comprehensive health overview and discussed my health goals, then developed and fine-tuned the steps needed to get there. I've been visiting her for about a year and a half now and I'm measurably healthier than when I first started. The holistic approach Prime Wellness uses makes sense to me - I am working on everything, not just trying to deal with one symptom. And, since we are looking at the big picture for everything from blood work to diet to mental health, I feel like this approach has more benefits than a normal M.D. could provide. Dr. Austin is friendly, sharp, and caring - very easy to talk to and understand. Her recommendations are progressive but I always feel that she's done enough research to support their validity. The office visits fly by since there is so much to discuss and learn about. Overall, I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to take more ownership of his or her health and well being. read more

My family and I have been working with Dr. Austin from the time she opened her practice because functional medicine works at the root of the symptoms and is effective! Dr. Austin has worked together with us to turn around various health issues for myself, husband, daughter and son. When she used the phrase, "We can heal you of this and you will NOT be taking medication for life", to my son for his health challenge we were encouraged and excited that he would enjoy vibrant health again, and he has along with being educated! It is refreshing working with Dr. Austin as a team to achieve our best optimal health. I so appreciate having her and her wonderful staff in my own neighborhood. If you are searching for another path to manage your health that is customized to your specific needs then you owe it to yourself to schedule a visit to Prime Wellness. read more

I had first encountered Prime Wellness services at Sprouts Market. They administer B vitamin shots there. I was impressed with the efficiency and ease of getting this done. I decided to schedule an appointment to see one of the naturopaths. The first visit was expensive up front and when I saw the ND, she didn't educate me or communicate with me what she felt might be the problem. She gave me an enzyme test kit (for another $100) and sent me on my way. I felt the visit was very unprofessional and I didn't feel good trusting them with my health so I didn't return. read more

I had 2 appointments/sessions via Skype: one with the nurse( the charge is the same) 2nd one with Kelly Austin to consult on my thyroid problems. Her staff was friendly only when I booked the session, afterwards they became pushy selling her appointments and their supplements, which were btw: 1. close to expiration date 2. more than I needed (example: instead of 30 tablets I received a bottle with 90 tablets, and etc. bc it's more expensive and they make more money selling more). The first session the nurse basically asked questions and explained the process how I have to do the blood work and etc. (why do u need an appointment if you can just write it down ?) The "actual" session with the ND K. Austin was the review of the blood work, she have dietary recommendations (paleo, gluten free). The whole process was very superficial including blood work(very expensive bc insurance doesn't cover some tests) over wire due to the time constraints and she was speaking very hast like she's in a hurry. Basically, I don't recommend at all her as an ND, she is more like a "diet coach", but an expensive one. The money wasn't the issue for me, even though her supplements were overpriced(online they are significantly cheaper, some of the supplements containing magnesium stearate and other fillers, and she knows about it) the whole experience left a negative "aftertaste" for me. If you have a couple grands u can waste (for the whole experience with the bloodwork) u can try it. I hope the review is helpful for you, and you will find the right person on your journey to heal. And I hope k. Austin will read the reviews and it will make her rethink her approach to treating people. read more

After meeting with Dr. Austin and following her recommended protocol very closely, I gained 25 pounds and she had no answers for that result and no ideas on how to get me back down to my original weight. Basically, what she recommended didn't work for my body and she wasn't going to take the time to find out the reason to help me any longer. I wasn't the typical case. I personally can't recommend her or her protocol for helping women who have hormone issues because it hurt me way more than it helped me. read more

I love Prime Wellness. Dr. Austin and her staff are so helpful and knowledgeable. I come here for my B12 shots every week. I have noticed a huge difference in my energy level and focus. So glad my friend told me about this office! read more

I was hesitant to go to Prime Wellness, but I am so glad I did! Dr. Austin is on the cutting edge of medicine. She and her staff are so knowledge and actually took the time to understand my health concerns. I came to her feeling terrible, with no hope in sight. This was my last resort. Now, after 9 months of following her protocols, I feel better than I could have ever imagined! My husband and friends have all noticed a significant difference. I have my life back! I would give ten stars if I could! Thank you Prime Wellness!!! read more

Dr. Austin has been a life saver for me! After floundering aimlessly about in the maze of conflicting endocrine health information, Dr. Austin has helped me make sense of it all. She is extremely knowledgeable, compassionate and I am grateful to have found her. Her staff is so friendly, helpful and extremely competent. After years of feeling hopeless, I have newfound hope and am excited about my future. I have not felt this great in a long time! read more

I went to Dr. Austin because I believe in a natural approach to healing and she is close to where I work. I wanted to know why I am tired all of the time and if my hormones and thyroid were out of wack. I do not have health insurance and can"t afford it. I was sent to a lab for blood work in August 2010. I waited for someone to call me back and schedule a follow up, but it never happened. Sept faded into Oct and then I got incredibly busy with the holidays. By the time I thought about it again, it was Jan 2011. I sent an email and finally received a call that they had "found" my tests. When I finally went for my appt they based their recommendations on tests taken six months ago and still expected me to pay for the lab test. (Also they had no records of me paying for the last visit, which I had to bring proof of) I then paid for the present appt and Dr Austin suggested I write a postdated check for the lab tests (since I couldn"t afford to pay for both at the same time). Come to find out, when I checked my bank account that next week, the office manager had deposited BOTH checks and I was overdrawn. The bank says postdating a check isn't technically legal, so they don't have to honor it. The six month old test results showed that I was anemic and had low calcium and some hormone issues. Not life threatening, I admit, but I do not consider this Dr's. office to be very professional or responsible. They do not admit when they are wrong and they are still making me pay for the lab tests that they lost. Why should I pay for their mistake? Now the Dr. will temporarily give me back the lab fees if I write ANOTHER postdated check to be deposited later. Why would I trust them not to deposit it early again? I should not have had to call them to remind them to get my test results. I should not have had to provide proof of my previous payment. I should not have to pay for tests that are six months old. They have done nothing to try to appease me. I do not recommend this Dr's. office to anyone. read more

I wish I made an appointment with Dr Austin long ago! I learned so much about my health and am shocked my previous doctors weren't able to catch any of my health issues. I now have all my family members see Dr. Austin. Love the staff as well- very helpful and knowledgeable. I am addicted to the Vitamin shots! read more

Love getting my B12/B6 shots every week for energy and sleep. Very convenient that they are at Sprouts all over San Diego too.