A few years late but have been thinking about this and thought it was important to write something…read more Back when I was 16 my unsupportive father and his wife tried to take me to a therapist to "fix me" (as in, "stop me" from being transgender). They took me here first - probably saw "sexual problems" under the list of services and decided this was their best bet for conversion therapy. They were sorely disappointed when this man 'didn't understand what the problem was'. It was then that my father and his wife decided this clearly "wasn't the right therapist" and left absolutely raging. While this experience didn't necessarily change my father's mind, it did make me feel supported and safe with at least one adult figure during that time. Just really appreciative of that experience despite never seeing him again. Thought I would write something in the hope that other trans people might see this.

I recently saw Dr. Bernstein to talk about some relationship and codependency issues. I find him to…read morebe very kind, caring and non-judgmental. Additionally, he is very forthright and helps you to see things from a different perspective that maybe never occurred to you. I like him. He's TOPS in my book.

I saw Leonard for a year around 2013 and then again in 2023 for another year and a half. In both…read moreinstances I was seeking support for navigating some significant life transitions. The guidance and perspective Leonard shared was thoughtful and practical. He challenged me to think about things in new and sometimes uncomfortable ways, which in 2013 I wasn't as ready to hear. He always approached our conversations from a place of care and compassion. Through our work together, I gained a valuable set of tools and strategies that I use everyday to navigate life's many ups and downs. It was difficult work but I am ultimately a more grounded and caring person thanks to Leonard's help. Highly recommended.

This guy questioned me about my rapes like you'd expect from a GOP congressman, which he jumped…read moreright into after arguing with my about things I have trouble doing, so I was already off guard. (He said the things I've been struggling with for years are "just a matter of choice." If it was that easy, I wouldn't be seeking professional help!) It was insanely triggering. Considering he knew I have PTSD, he should have at least approached the subject more carefully. He said, "you don't seem to have a lot of emotions over this." (wtf) I cried and binge drank for a few days and it took months for me to be ready to try another therapist. DON'T LET THIS GUY'S EDUCATION IN ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES ALLURE YOU. HE'S A CREEP! Beyond unprofessional. I can't imagine this guy actually helping anyone at all. He lacks tact and empathy.

He told me I had a benign cyst and then I woke up with a total hysterectomy. It was stage one A…read moreand I could have kept my uterus, cervix, faollopian tubes, omentum, but he just took them without asking. I would have kept my left ovary if I had been asked. There are a lot of problems with losing your estrogen supply. I also have a messed up vagina as it's was put back together too tightly. He could have woken me up and asked what I wanted. You can do another surgery to take stuff out, you can't put it back in. He ruined my life.

Dr. Ciaravino basically saved my wife's life. As a doctor, he is confident and knowledgeable…read morewithout being overbearing and answered all our questions prior to a complicated surgery involving some new techniques not yet done at Kaiser (at the time). Since then the approach he used with her has become more standard procedure at Kaiser, thanks to his innovation and excellent work. Post-surgery, he provided follow-up care for years, making personal contact with my wife, even though he could easily have passed this on to another doctor or NP. I have great respect, fondness and gratitude for this amazing surgeon and really good man. Prior to the surgery we checked around at UCSF, Stanford, CPMC and, in fact, people knew of and recommended Dr. Ciaravino at Kaiser as their top choice. He was great and I would highly recommend him.

I heard such great things about XY Counseling but when I reached out I was quoted $250 per session…read moreand it was NOT in-person. Who charges that much for a "digital" session? That is insane pricing. Therapy is supposed to be face to face so you can see people's body language and mannerisms and get to know one another. This isn't a new age "interview" with a potential company. Do better!!!

This review is way overdue. I highly recommend Alex for couples counseling. He literally saved our…read morerelationship. Before we met Alex, we were 5 years into our relationship and starting to struggle with very difficult situations that were pulling us apart. These were made worse with our opposing introvert/extrovert needs. Neither of us had strong role models in our family for successful relationships, and we were at a turning point. We were very serious about who we chose to help us. All of the therapists we interviewed before Alex had somewhat of a cookie-cutting approach to couples therapy. We felt that we could've gotten some of their info from reading a book. However from the first time we spoke with Alex, it was easy for us to agree that he was the right therapist for us. Alex treated us as individual people and an individual couple. His approach is empathetic, thoughtful, and calm. He pays attention to every detail and is tactful in all of his communication. You will see this starting from his intake form. In our sessions, he gave equal time to both of us. We did many session exercises to become aware of our individual needs. Many of the revelations surprised us and without his help, I'm not sure we would have ever discovered on our own. And he was exceptionally skilled in guiding us through difficult discussions. We were able to share scary thoughts, sometimes laughter, and sometimes tears (mostly I cried) as we became closer and more connected to each other, in each session and afterwards. My partner and I also made notes after each session, because we're both nerdy...but more importantly because we knew the information we had learned was gold. After a few months of weekly sessions, Alex told us we had made enough progress that it wasn't necessary to see him weekly anymore. But to instead, use the information we learned and schedule sessions only as needed. Today (almost 2 years later), we haven't had another session and we continue to use the tools and techniques he taught us. We are so much happier from this entire experience. We can communicate better, disagree without fighting, fight without yelling, share our love for each other in ways that the other needs and understands, and receive it in return. If you're on the fence about couples counseling, don't be. With the right therapist like Alex, and a willingness to learn, you can re-understand how to love, connect, and communicate. He is a true professional. Thank you Alex.

Dr. Yen is the consummate counseling professional. He is caring, understanding, and extremely…read moreethical.

My son saw Dr. Yam at the Dublin location. He did a great job of establishing a relationship with…read moremy son and getting him to actually talk about what causes his anxiety He also helped him determine helpful tools for dealing with that anxiety. Dr. Yam also facilitated a couple of family sessions for us which allowed our son to share how his anxiety was impacting his relationship with others.

Rosalie nailed it. He's been our doctor for over 5 years, you are not going to find another…read moredoctor like him. Heidi is excellent, so nice. Don't go if you want warm and frills. Mostly, I want a doctor who isn't snobby and treats me l as if I am stupid, who will give me the right treatment, will refer me to the right people. Someone I can be honest and direct with and I trust will give the same back. He has always responded immediately in emergencies, even late on New Years Eve and never bilks his patients and that's how he shows that he really cares.

I recommend Dr. Belk with some caution: If you like warm and fuzzy doctors, this is NOT the doctor…read moreto see. If you like doctors who are intelligent--even sharp--rather stoic, has your best in mind, yet isn't trying to win any personality contests, well Dr. Belk is the ONE. One star is for his intelligence and straightforwardness, which can be hard but he tells it like he sees it with no wide smiles only slight smurks.. Second star is because, unlike the routine at Alameda Family Physicians---and big reason why I like him--Dr. Belk is saving me hundreds of dollars by referring me to a cheaper pharmacy and filling my routine prescriptions for a longer period without unnecessary additional visits like Alameda Family Physicians required of me. Kudos to Dr. Belk on this one!. 3rd star is because he switched me to a better, more efficient medication than the practitioners at Alameda Family Physicians did--and again, for less cost to me (I am a cash pay) patient and I already feel better with this medication change than I have in 5 years! Thumbs up to Dr. Belk on this one! 4th star is because his brusk, dry, sarcastic humor along with the unhappy look that is practically glued to his face--still made me laugh although I don't prefer this style of comedy on a regular basis. Thanks for the efforts at comedy, Dr. Belk! 5th star I took away only because he isn't charming like James Bond. He has absolutely NO bedside manner, which I think is important for doctors to have--although I would prefer competence over charm in my doctor. After all, he is a doctor not a gigolo, right? I prefer a little warmth or a genuine, caring laugh and perhaps some reflective listening or at the very least some hint of compassion when I don't see eye to eye with him...attempting to humor me if he doesn't agree with me a little, would help greatly---but he won't do that. He sticks to his guns, like it or not---no niceties there. Summary: Doctor Belk has saved me money and gave me more effective medications than my last doctor did--so I consider him a very competent doctor. If he had a more delightful, compassionate charming personality----he'd be just about a perfect five star doctor, but because he's not trying to win any personality contests--he gets 4 stars. I recommend him if you have anti-social punk rocker / goth friends and ENJOY the ones who don't smile or hug the best.

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

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

I worked with Michael in individual therapy and with Michael and Nancy in couples counseling. I…read morelearned so much from each of them. Thanks you guys! Bryan

Mike is wonderful. He quickly points out the situation and helped us identify what is most…read moreimportant and how to frame our story in a loving compassionate way. He saw through my walls so quickly and helped me see all the good in both myself and my partner. One session with Mike is worth months with every other therapist we tried.