I've seen Dr. Mode for five years. My previous psychiatrist was the type of doctor who liked to hear himself talk and was a bad listener. Dr. Mode is the opposite. He's a GREAT listener. When I have been in crisis, he has even gone over the 15 or 30 minute time limit to make sure that we have enough time to thoroughly discuss the matter. He includes me in decisions and if I disagree with a medicine change, he will listen to my concern and consider it. He doesn't always do what I want him to do, but he shouldn't. He's the doctor. Ultimately, he makes the decisions and I go along as long as I don't object so strongly that I feel I cannot/ will not go a certain route. In those rare cases, he has been very kind and understanding, never taking offense to my vehement objections, but instead working with me to either help me understand why I need to do what he says or to find a compromise. My only issue is that he has very little knowledge with issues regarding pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders. However, he told me that. He sent me to a colleague who does specialize in this field for a consultation before I tried to get pregnant. He gave me the option of switching to her for the duration of my pregnancy or sticking with him. I decided to stay with Dr. Mode. This wasn't a problem because he could still consult with her if a med change needed to happen. Dr. Mode doesn't have privileges at any hospital, so that could be a problem for people who are frequently hospitalized. The final problem is that he is so willing to go over the time limit for patients that he is frequenlt.

Submitted Oct. 4, 2014