He arrives 20 minutes late. He comes with his preconceived notions and doesn't listen to the patient. His philosophy on addiction is ridiculous, you can get used to anything and he does not listen to your individual needs based on the past, nor does he care he comes to you with his preconceived beliefs, and he's not listening to you. He was backseat driving my prescription and wrote it in a way that couldn't even be filled, I reluctantly agreed because he was bullying me into his line of thinking, which is not how you treat someone. I had already been trying to see two other doctors who were so junior that they were not comfortable with my unique health issues, renal stage four and ADHD extreme with minor PTSD . He went into a rant telling me that I should be much less of a dose which I had been on before which doesn't work. His knowledge of outdated and so is his level of service. This man truly has a God complex. I would run away as fast as you can. Upon contacting him several times in the afternoon on Friday no one could return my call or do the necessary paperwork and then when reached out to you on the weekend, he ignored all the request from the pharmacy run away from this doctor. He is not caring for you. And for a final note when I contacted him in the morning to put in my prescription, he didn't even know who I was and didn't do it for a little while which left very little time in the afternoon for it to be corrected yet no one was there to answer the phone and no one returned a call for hours and then was the weekend and you know how that goes read more

I had my second appointment today at 11:15 I was first one in the office and after 10 minutes a lady and a man came in after waiting for 15 minutes he calls in the lady. I asked the receptionist what is going on . I have 11:15 appointment. she said she was 11:00 waited total of 25 minutes till he calls me in and after 5 minutes of talking, instead of helping my situation, he asks me how can I help you I was do upset , I left the office He asked me, are you coming next month? I ignored him I do not recommend him at all he already has 2.5 star rating ad I see read more

Dr. Was nice and encouraged a healthy active living but, he was never on time. Sometimes would show up to the office after two patients were waiting in his office. Why schedule patients at a certain time when you can't show up before the patients get there? I Was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 11 and was upfront about it in my first visit. 2 years later he was confused when I was asking to go on a stimulant because he didn't know I had ADHD. I've had doctors that let me go a year without a visit and only come in if I felt like I needed to. I was forced to come in every 3 months or I couldn't get my prescription refilled but it became very unpredictable to get an accurate appointment because he was constantly, constantly late, and I couldn't take 3 hours off of work to drive there, then sit there for over an hour. I'm grateful I have better insurance now so I don't have to go back. read more

Nice doctor with a great attention to detail. He listens well and I can sometimes make hm crack a smile. I never feel rushed. read more

I find Dr Isacescu to be very professional and courteous, concerned about the emotional and physical health of me, the patient. He is NOT a pill pusher and I trust him to be my advocate for excellent mental health. When he discusses changes to my care, he discloses the pros and cons and we collaborate for my best care. Since being Dr Isacescu's patient, my mental well being has improved, much in part because he has made helpful suggestions that impact my life positively. read more

Fantastic doctor and staff. I can't say enough good things about this practice. So much better than BPSR.

As I've said before, I'm 54 and have been around the block more than once. I truly came to hate psychiatrists a long time ago. They were nothing more than pill pushers, fueled by the pill manufacturers, and not out for my welfare. Every time I took a med, I would have a bad side effect, including having my tongue blow up, or I'd go into withdrawal with no support, not even from the ER doctor, let alone my psychiatrist. In 2008, I waited in the ER for eight hours to get a Benedryl, just so I could sit still. It was pure torture. I decided I was done with psychiatrists and my primary care physician has been prescribing a low doze of anxiety meds. But lately, I've been diagnosed with PTSD and my counselor wouldn't see me unless I saw a psychiatrist. I thought this was shitty. I was going to get the meds and then not take them. Dr. "I" as people call him was a welcome surprise. He not only listened to me, but he didn't push me out the door with a sample of my latest drug of choice in my hand. He is the real deal and even though I live in Escondido, I think it is well worth fighting the traffic on I 78 to get to see him. He advised me to exercise, not in a gym but just to get outdoors. I haven't had this kind of advice since the later 1970s before the pill industry took over. He started me out on a low dose of antidepressant. Says I may not be Bipolar at all. Before, I was diagnosed Schizo-Affective without any symptoms at all. I've seen this same thing happen on Dr. Phil. Psychiatrists diagnose people with all kinds of disorders and their real problem is more familial. I can take a half a pill or even one quarter. The choice is mine since I have PTSD from the side effects of psychiatric meds alone. I was very happy to find Dr. I. and couldn't wait to give him a recommend. He is well worth investigating if you are looking for help. He isn't going to dance you around like the many other psychiatrists (pill pushers) that I have found in North County. He looks at the whole person. read more

OMG the worst experience ever!! I met with Dr Isacescu twice. The 1st time he prescribed a medication but did not go over any side effects with me. I decided to wait to take it until I met with him again. When I met with him again he berrated me for not taking it. When I told him my concerns about side effects his response was "DO YOU NOT KNOW HOW TO USE GOOGLE??" Google?? Seriously? Psychiatrists should inform patients about side effects that they have witnessed in their practice. He was very condesending . Needless to say i will not be back. read more

Horrible psychiatrist. Does not care about patients. Much better choices in the area. Don't waste your time or money.

My husband is a combat veteran that depends on doctors for mental health help. This doctor is never on time keeping patients waiting for over 45minutes in which doesn't help, but enrages. This is unprofessional and rude- we have walked out too many times after waiting and not being acknowledged feeling low not taken care of. read more

I wish ZERO star was an option. This doctor doesn't really listen nor try to understand the patient. Instead they instantly want to prescribe medication and get you out the door and then force you to make a follow up appt. Staff and service are horrible as well. Save yourself and avoid this doctor. read more

Please do not see him. This was my first psychiatry experience and it was awful. I would NEVER want ANYONE else to go through this. This review is purely for Valentin Isacescu himself, and does not apply to any of his receptionists, who we're actually quite nice and the only pleasant part about this experience. I'm 25 years old. I came in with a referral from my doctor for my depression, anxiety, and passed sexual, physical, emotional abuse and trauma that I've never actually opened up about. I was looking forward to this meeting, and finally getting help. As I get into his office, I got really weird vibes. He just came off really cold, but I didn't mind at first and I thought I would just give him the benefit of the doubt. Since it was my first appointment, I had to do a bunch of assessments. So I told him that I smoke weed regularly and instead of asking me about anything else, he zoned in on the fact that I smoked, and made it seem like it was the cause of my depression even though I was trying to explain to him that I've had in for as long as I can remember before I even started smoking. The entire time of my appointment he talked how bad marijuana was bad for you, and I left the office with him calling me a POTHEAD, and telling me to quit and then come back to see him afterwards.. Super unprofessional. Needless to say, I came home feeling worst than I did before. For a psychiatrist who specializes in drug abuse, how awful is it to call one of your patients a pothead? If an alcoholic came in, you don't just tell people to stop drinking. It doesn't work that way. Worst psychiatrist ever and needs to have his license revoked. I want to save you the emotional turmoil that I went through after going to this appointment. Please find someone else. read more

Worst psychiatrist I've ever seen. Seriously. If you want to be treated like a child who is incapable of understanding how you're feeling or what your needs are, and you enjoy not being treated for a medical condition adequately, go here. I was belittled and told to "do less if I couldn't manage my life" when I was jobless and on the verge of homelessness because of my condition. I'm now getting real help from a doctor who doesn't treat me like a silly little girl who doesn't know what she needs, and I have been able to hold a steady job, go back to school and get my life on track for the first time in my life. I get it that a doctor needs to be cautious prescribing meds, but if a person actually has a condition and needs help, and you refuse to help or even give that person a chance to get better, you deserve a special place in hell. I couldn't afford more medical care for several months after seeing Dr. I. I had a very small budget, I saw him for 6 months and that was all o had to get help for the rest of the year. The stress made my situation worse and it was a long time until I was able to get back into another doctor. I can't even explain the pain this man caused me. I've been to quite a few psychiatrists. Some have been good, others have been not so good, but I was blown away by the level of apathy this Dr has. Unreal. Please go elsewhere. read more

I really hate leaving negative reviews but, when it comes to choosing doctors, I think people have the right to make informed decisions. I repeatedly had demoralizing, demeaning, and retraumatizing experiences seeing Dr. Isacescu. He has a very paternalistic and dictatorial approach to patient care and I did not feel that I had any say-so in my own treatment. He is quick to diagnose and once he makes a diagnosis, he will not view your symptoms in any other light. He blatantly contradicted what three other doctors have told me and when I tried to address this matter with him he insinuated that I was lying. I would not recommend Dr. Isacescu to anyone, but if you have PTSD or any trauma related issues, I would especially steer clear of him. He does not seem to be willing or able to distinguish between PTSD dissociation symptoms and psychosis. I know from experience just how detrimental it can be when doctors misdiagnose their patients. I hope this review will help you if you are looking for a doctor. I wish you well in your search. People with mental illnesses deserve to be treated with respect, not treated like children who know nothing about their own condition and what works and doesn't work when it comes to medication. read more

Felt disrespected, had appt and left to wait while playing with staff then got the bums rush after 5 min but of course charged for full session. read more

I'm a 100% disabled Vietnam veteran and went to this Dr. on what's called the Choice program , because the Oceanside VA clinic had no psychiatrist. I missed the 2nd appointment because I never got a reminder. Now they're hounding me for a $75.00 missed visit. I guess he must be hard up for patients. read more

I have never in my life of the 12 years of going to a psychiatrist had a problem with a doctor. The office is unprofessional. They do not greet you, they take you late. (20 mins late to take me at my apt today) the front desk has a window that shuts, they don't leave it open. When I came in, no one asked me to sign in, sign something, and I wasn't even greeted. I had no idea. So after 9 mins of waiting I went to the counter and the women on the phone called another girl who was eating to come to the window. So they said he would help me after "her" (a patient before me I guess). I got in and Dr. I was talking over me saying I shouldn't be taking this medication so long NOT EVEN CARING about my history. I told him I understand but I am trying to get treatment for it (hence why I was there) and he continued to belittle me and talk to me like a child about my condition. I've had chronic anxiety for over 12 years and have been seeing someone since, this type of medicine is controlled and I needed a refill. I gave him a letter from transitioning doctors about what I am on, what I should continue on and unfortunately dr. I wasn't understanding. I walked out so livid. Do not come here!!!!!!! He does NOT help. His staff is not professional whatsoever and he is incapable of understanding his patients' problems. read more

Reading previous reviews I was shocked by the comments made about Dr. I. I'm only guessing that he was saying no to patients who were Med seeking for addictive medications He is an addictionologist and a psychiatrist that has ethical boundaries. He actually cares and does not agree with over-medicating his patients that just mask the problems that they may be experiencing. He offers more than just the simple solution of giving someone a pill. He actually cares about his patients and has ethics. If you want to have an excellent psychiatrist evaluate you and help you in a productive way then Dr I is your man. He has helped me for many years with ongoing depression. read more