Dr Tarnow has been treating me for over 30 years. Yes I said that long. Last 10 years its just been on as needs basis. Either way - I wouldn't have been as successful in my life and career without his guidance. Yes, he is direct and smart. If you don't want to work on your real stuff. Don't come here. The best psychiatrist ever. IMO, and my families. read more

Dr. Tarnow has treated my family for over 20 years. During that time I have met with Dr. T individually, as a couple, with a child, and in a Group. He has changed my life, the lives of my family, and hundreds more. I cannot speak more highly of a doctor than I do of Dr. T. There are many psychologists in Houston. Some psychiatrists. But there is only one Jay Tarnow. If you are able to get in to see him, it is worth every cent and every second. Don't miss your chance! Jim Pearson read more

Tarnow Center For Self Management - Psychiatrists Near Me - Houston, Texas

Recommendation: DO NOT GO ---------------------------------------------------- The Tarnow Center costs a lot of money for little to no results. Tarnow himself does not see the patient that he is prescribing medication towards. When I take a step back and look at it, it seems (from my perspective) he kind of uses his patients as test subjects. He does not see the patient, he only reads reports, suggests experimental (non proven) testing, and then guesses different medications he should prescribe. When one does not work he suggests more experimental testing and tries again. The doctor we saw was ok, but the results we saw (for the vast amount of money) was little to none. Given how they don't accept insurance, the entire operation is a money pit for those who go. They often recommend additional testing (not covered by insurance and experimental) that costs thousands of dollars that do not help at all. The therapy worked little to none too. I sat in on a few therapy sessions and it amazed me what little occurred. No wonder why we saw no results. In addition, Tarnow himself is not the nicest guy. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE: In a group meeting with family, he once told the entire family over a phone call that my child most likely is bipolar because I am - the crazy thing is that I am not bipolar nor ever been diagnosed (or even close to being). He does not know my medical history, nor by law should he state someone's medical history without permission. I should have reported him right then and there. When I confronted him about it he tried to make me believe that I told him I was. Due to this we wasted money on several doctors because it scared the family - all the doctors stated that our child was not bipolar. I WANTED Tarnow Center to be as good as Tarnow says it is and I gave it a chance (2 years), but from someone who took the bait, this place is not a place I would recommend. I HIGHLY.... HIGHLY.... recommend searching elsewhere. read more

Dr. Tarnow really cares about what is best for his patients. His staff has always met met my needs and Dr. Tarnow has always exceeded my expectations. He does more than just prescribe medications, he offers other types of care in addition to medicine as part of his treatment plan. read more

I see a lot of bad reviews here, and I do feel like mostly people who did not like service are more likely to post. I was a patient of Dr. Tarnow's for over 10 years and while he does have a strong personality, I really credit a lot to him. Let me say if you are someone that does not get along well with strong personalities, then he is probably not a fit for you. I do have some funny stories of Dr. Tarnow not being happy with me for not adhering to my medication regime, but in the end he and I had a very good doctor/patient rapport. It's because of Dr. Tarnow that I was able to get help for my bipolar 2 and able to straighten out my life in many aspects. I am in the mental health field as well, and he was very encouraging to my work. Again, he does have a strong personality, so if that is a turn off to you--find another doctor. For me it was not an issue as I have a strong personality myself. read more

I was a patient of Dr. Havasy in high school when I was tested at Tarnow Center and diagnosed with ADHD. She was extremely competent, thorough and committed to my best interests throughout the testing and diagnostic process. She was always my advocate when needed, even going the extra mile by educating my parents and my family of section 504 of the disabilities act so that I would have the ability to get any accommodation if it was necessary. Even though I frequently refused accommodations, she helped me manage my ADHD and was instrumental in helping me get into an elite university despite my struggles with attention and organization. I noticed the 1 star reviews here, and that's really disappointing. I can't speak in regards to the other doctors or staff members at The Tarnow Center, so I will not speak on behalf of them or try to reconcile the major concerns posted by other patients. They seem like valid concerns, and I myself have experienced some of the less flattering service by another doctor in the 90's who seemed to want to write me prescriptions and usher me on my way. I felt compelled remove a star in my review to account for that. But I would hate to see someone miss out on the opportunity to be treated by such an extremely competent and well-credentialed professional as Dr. Havasy. I intend to request that she evaluate my own children for possible attention disorders, despite the wealth of options at my disposal, including more affordable options, because I trust her expertise so completely. I cannot think of a more personal compliment for a doctor. I highly recommend you seek her out if you are considering treatment, evaluation or consultation. read more

Seeing and trusting Dr Tarnow was one on the biggest mistakes my family and I ever made. GIVING ONE STAR BECAUSE I HAVE TO. Dr Tarnow misdiagnosed me with bipolar as a SEVEN year old and for 11 years my family and I trusted Dr. Tarnow and his staff. The Tarnow Center completely took advantage of us while charging tens of thousands of dollars over the years to be used as his "guinea pig". Dr Tarnow treated me with various medications not approved to be used on children which stunted my ability to create needed hormones and hit puberty. Dr Tarnow purposely drove a wedge between my family and I that to this day we are still mending. When I was 18 he told me he could no longer be my psychiatrist and I should find help elsewhere. To this day I DONT have many memories of my childhood due to Dr Tarnow's excessive medication prescribing and lack of knowledge and understanding of how these medications may affect a child's brain. I started seeing Dr Margaret Basu (SHES AMAZING) and discovered I actually have anxiety and at the time was having panic attacks not bipolar. When Dr. Tarnow dropped me as a patient he had me on 5 different medications, Dr. Basu was able to help me get off ALL the medications and start new. OVER 3 years now with out daily medications and I feel great! Please don't make this mistake too. read more

I started seeing Jalane Theis a little over a year ago. She has truly been life changing. She doesn't prescribe medication willy-nilly. She is so understanding, empathetic and warm. She is professional and she is very disarming during appointments because of her wonderful personality. Previously I had an awful experience with a psychiatrist and was very apprehensive and hesitant to find someone else. I feel blessed to have met Jalane. She's very collaborative with her treatment approach and makes sure to understand your story, take account your thoughts and makes sure you understand exactly why she's prescribing what. Overall would highly, highly recommend Jalane. read more

Worse experience ever. It's all about money for these people. Tried valiantly for 6 months but there is no real concern for patients...you are just an ATM to them. I swear he was shopping online but pretending to write notes. I've never felt so ignored by a medical professional. Don't waste your time or money. Go elsewhere....anywhere has got to be better than this. Avoid at all costs. The only time she perked up and feigned interest when I said I didn't want to continue. That only confirmed my feelings...it's all about them! read more

There are no words to describe how wonderful Dr. Tarnow is and the Tarnow center staff as well. For years I have gotten the most incredible service and treatment. My family have all benefitted from The Tarnow Center at some point in their lives. During childhood and school years Dr. Tarnow was focused on our various learning disabilities. We were all able to develop a strategy to make learning easier by virtue of our understanding how we each learn in a different way. One way is not better than another. But, having mechanisms available to make adjustments, in note taking and test taking got us all into better schools and ultimately happier lives. In our adult lives Dr. Tarnow has the ability to impart his great sense of a healthy and happy life style and his counseling is instrumental in helping us in our relationships and marriages. I have always recommended Dr. Tarnow to friends with children that needed help with ADD or learning abilities and for parents who needs support as well. read more

I have been a patient for about a year now. The doctors have helped so much. They approach treatment differently from other doctors I've seen. They worked with me individually but also helped me repair my relationship with my family. And medicine was not their first choice for treatment- which was a sigh of relief. I have referred my friends and family to the center. They all have pretty much said the same. I would absolutely recommend the center to anyone who is looking for comprehensive and quality care. read more

My husband and children has been going to Tarnow for the last 20 something years. The entire family mental health and behaviors continuous to decline and getting worst in every sense having this Doctor managing and numbing their lives with pills they ask to be given. Urine Drug test came always "clean", my husband happy to hear that when in fact sons were using fake urine and high on heavy drugs. I can go with more bizarre practice as to encourage adultery, suggest to my husband , your wife to suck it up the affair because affair happen couple years ago or comment from Dr Tarnow mouth that one of the drug addict of my children may die from heart attack or OD , to orher personal situations that are alarming to me Money and TIME wasted and lives of love ones continuous to get worst. Very concern. He is great for desperate People that want to hear all is ok today and get whatever pills they request This doctor has customers no patients. Beware. read more

My son, diagnosed with ADHD at age 6, has been a patient of the Tarnow Center and has been treated by Dr. Tarnow and other clinicians since that time. During that entire period (13 years) Tarnow has overseen his care and medications. This past year our son completed 2 semesters of college but is close to flunking out and adrift as to purpose, interests and motivation. Arriving for a recent appointment, I anticipated some tough love from Dr. Jay about his academic and future goals. What I didn't expect was to be told that Alex's self-management issues are due to bad parenting. So, just telling you: if, after 13 years of therapy, medication and 'working memory' sessions your child still has self-management problems, be prepared to be told it's your fault. In the past my husband and I have had issues about Tarnow's attitude towards parents. I wish we'd gone elsewhere long ago. read more

Make sure you are clear on your insurance coverage and how this office charges! By all means, dont just leave a message that you cant make an appt...they claimed they didnt receive the message (3 days before a scheduled appt) and would not back off of paying the "no show" fee. read more

Dr. Tarnow told me I was codependent with my family, then suggested I get my wealthier parents to pay for my therapy, which seemed completely counterintuitive and counterproductive to me, but fitting of someone simply bilking for dollars. He tried to suggest during one teletherapy appointment that a slight facial movement was a tic indicative of some disorder. He also tried to convince me that the only way I was going to make progress was to dump my current therapist and see a therapist at his center (which I confirmed makes their therapists cough up a percentage of their earnings to the center itself). He also tried to push a bunch of neurological and psychopathological testing on me without providing justification. I'm autistic, and I tried to see one of the therapists at his center who is supposedly an expert on autism. She ushered me into her office for our first in-person session, and a student was there waiting for me. The therapist asked if the student could sit in and observe. This was not communicated to me ahead of time, and had it been, I would have said no. I felt it was a violation of trust and completely unethical, and it was especially surprising given that the therapist treats autistic patients, who often don't deal well with deviations in routine. I ended my relatinoship with the Tarnow center right then and there. A few days later, I received a letter certified mail from the center coldly and detachedly declaring the relationship over and recommending other therapist. The letter also said he was treating me for Rett's Syndrome, which wasn't true, especially since I'm a male well into adulthood and Rett's Syndrome is diagnosed in early childhood and almost exclusively in females. I wanted to laugh, if the letter didn't feel partly like gaslighting and partly like a legal move to cover their butts if I tried to sue them or something. They clearly care more about ego preservation and their bottom line than patient wellness. read more

My family has seen Dr. Tarnow and several members of his staff. I found Dr. Tarnow arrogant, condescending and un-proffesional. I've been told by two different patients that when they mentioned my family, he divulged not only personal information but inaccurate information.. I found that unprofessional behavior inexcusable. I've never experienced anything like this and feel it's definitely something I would want to know. I know the office is convenient but this is my experience. Therefore, I would not recommend Dr. Tarnow... read more

Bringing my son to Dr. Tarnow was the worst decision I've ever made. Dr. Tarnow felt taking my son off of all his meds and putting him on what he felt was best was the answer to all of his problems. After multiple calls for help and emails pleading to help my son, which he ignored, my son ended up in a psychiatric hospital 3 weeks after seeing this Dr. even after multiple calls letting the Dr know what happened to my son...he never called to check on him. We spent almost $10,000 with this office last summer doing QEEGs, neurofeedback treatment,and psychiatric assistance to set my son back years. VERY disappointed. These people should not be in business. And Dr. Tarnow should have his license revoked. read more

I truly do not like how I was treated by the staff of this facility nor by dr tarnow himself. Charges you an initial intake fee of 400$ and they do not accept insurance. However my issue with this practice lies in dr tarnows' inability to treat as well as listen to patients. Not only have I been told what family members have said to tarnow in their privates meetings with him, in a half hearted last attempt to sway my opinion (this is highly unethical and was the first of many red flags). He also had the nerve to recommend that I check into an in patient facility due to anxiety which I initially went to him in order to attempt to treat. A fact that was denied later both by he and doctor Havasy as soon as two weeks later. I have had a number of wonderful and understanding psychiatrists throughout the years and the tarnow center for self management is one of the least professional and most expensive offices I have ever been to. My symptoms would actually get worse upon entering his office and having to deal with his unprofessional office staff. read more

I attended The Tarnow center on and off for years. I thought it was a good facility. However, with the economy or other factors the change in staff of Psychologists and Psychiatrists has made the clinic a lot less effective. I was paired with a Psychiatrist that had hardly any experience and who's specialty was children and adolescent Psychiatry. I'm an adult. All she did was prescribe to me drugs that I had taken in the past and had harmful reactions to them. The first therapist I had there years ago misdiagnosed me. Once my diagnosis changed, I had the same therapist who's specialty was anxiety disorders not Bipolar II. He didn't seem to be willing to learn how to treat Bipolar II patients. He, also, had personal problems that were effecting his work. Maybe he is taking time off now. I don't know. But, once I began going to a clinic that specializes in my disorder, I realized how poor Tarnow Center was treating me. Proceed with extreme caution if for you or a child. They love to push the ADHD diagnosis on kids. They tried to with my daughter and I didn't listen. Glad I didn't makes A's and B's and will be graduating from high school soon. read more

We have used Dr. Tarnow as an extended family for years and he has been a godsend. I would take some of these ratings with a grain of salt, but also say, if a diagnosis or recommendation does not ring true, question it and ask for other options, no one is perfect and your insight into why you think it doesn't fit or work may get you closer to where you want to be. read more

All three of my children have seen therapists at The Tarnow Center for approximately a five year span. I can not say enough wonderful things about Dr. Walker Peacock who specializes in ADHD boys. Both of my boys have participated in social skills groups, and one son has twice monthly individual therapy. We have not seen Dr. Jay Tarnow, as we already had a great psychiatrist elsewhere. One of my sons has also done neurofeedback with Dr. Swatzyna and we have been very pleased with the results of that treatment as well. My only reason for not giving 5 stars is that they are very expensive and do not take insurance, so know that going in. read more