To articulate the impact that Dr. Borst’s care has had as a psychiatrist, it feels almost insurmountable. To know Dr. Borst and to be under his care is a gift. His dedication to his profession extends far above and beyond the expectation of medical care.

Dr. Borst’s ability to listen, understand and ease suffering has provided me with a reliable source of hope. His medical expertise, caring nature and guidance provides an effective therapeutic approach as a practicing psychiatrist in our province.

I feel overwhelmingly privileged and lucky to be a patient of Dr. Borst’s.

Submitted Dec. 16, 2022

Dr. Borst gives the impression that he is kind and tries to come off as gentle or mild. He is certainly polite but gets frustrated if you are not progressing in the way he would like and makes comments to imply there is something off or not right about you. He is not trauma-informed. Towards the end of my time with Dr. Borst, the worst period of time in my entire life - when I was at my most vulnerable and questioning if people would be better off without me - I was having trouble leaving my house and I asked him if we could do some sessions over the phone or online. He indicated this was not possible. He judged me for missing work. He was angry that mobile health crisis had been called to my house. And then he fired me as a patient for missing an appointment.
Punctuality gets 1 because who cares if the person who is supposed to be helping you causes the most damage of all.

Submitted Nov. 18, 2022

Dr Borst is very kind, understanding and knowledgable. He brought up ideas about things in a gentle way and never told me I was wrong for thinking the way I did. He framed everything in a kind way and never made me feel less than because I'm broken. I've never had someone challenge my ways of thinking but he dies so in a way that that doesn't judge. Working on things can be painful and challenging but he does so in a kind, gentle and non-judgemental way.

Submitted Nov. 9, 2021

Dr. Borst may be the right fit for some, but was not that for me. It seemed as though he felt there was something off or wrong with me . Could have been my more negative mind frame at the time, but I felt judged in between the kind smiles and gentle tones (explaining to me why it was okay for me to question his approach) and that he was frustrated with me.

Submitted March 18, 2021

Dr. Borst is very kind, understanding, validating and is very knowledgeable. I value his opinions and have learned so much from him. After years of searching for a psychiatrist within the province, I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to work with him. I have always felt very comfortable, understood and respected in his office. I leave his office feeling better than I do when I arrive. He is positive and humble! With his support, the overall quality of my life has improved significantly.

Submitted March 10, 2020

I've spent the past couple of years recovering from my time as Dr. Borst's patient (end 2015 to early 2017). He is a lovely person, very charming and kind. Certainly organized and knowledgable of the DSM (used by psychiatrists/psychologists for diagnostic purposes), and of medications (not saying you NEED them, just which ones you would take for what disorder).

Unfortunately for me, I was dealing with severe issues due to multiple traumas (cPTSD, anxiety, depression...). Not only did it seem that Dr. Borst blamed me for my traumas, but, at the same time, he informed me that I was not ready for trauma therapy (while at the same time admitting he did not know much about trauma therapy). Instead of trauma therapy, he focused heavily on the diagnoses for which I did and did not meet criteria (according to him: I did NOT meet criteria for insomnia). He told me I needed to let him know which of my many issues was THE issue to be addressed first, that would help all of the other issues be resolved (for this, he used an analogy of logs jammed in a river and that kicking the right one free would allow the water to flow again). Toward the end of our patient:clinician relationship, he even got angry with me for not progressing as he would have liked to see and for the fact that "as your psychiatrist, I am always the last to know everything". Sheesh! And I'd been thinking I was always the last to know - that is what I was seeing him for! Super damaging time spent with this clinician. I heavily recommend Avalon Trauma Therapists for anyone dealing with childhood traumas, major loss, sexual or physical assaults, PTSD, and even Borderline Personality Disorder (where one needs validation, not rebuking). No one needs to be blamed for "getting themselves" beat up. (note: there is no staff, it is only him)

Submitted Sept. 1, 2019

Nova Scotia is so lucky to have Dr. Borst and after a very long wait I was very fortunate to be his patient. He has said, he takes patients off meds just as often as he puts them on them and that’s likely in large part due to his compassion and skill as a clinician (mindfulness based cognitive therapy, etc). I did and do need medication support and he was the very best doctor to monitor and assist with this process. I echo all of the other (outstanding) sentiments.

Submitted Nov. 8, 2018

Having seen Dr Borst for two years, I can safely say he is the best mental health professional I’ve ever met and had the pleasure of being treated by. Professional, understanding, and charming. He gave me all the tools I needed to change my life for the better.

Submitted Nov. 5, 2018

First psychiatrist I can honestly say I ever connected with. He talks to on your level is an incredible intellect. He is not one of the Dr.'s where the whole appointment is about meds. It can if it has to be depending on how often you see him but as a more regular client I get the best the both worlds the psychology and the psychiatry. He is very strategic in choosing medications or even taking you off one. He is humble and admits when he doesn't know everything about a new medication, especially if your adding it medications you may already me on. He will look things up in books in front of you to be sure or medical websites or sometimes even ask that you wait till next session so he can consult someone. It makes you feel very safe that way. He also gives you the space to get out anything on yout mind before he starts to try to do any work. I know all this in 50 minutes? It's like you need to see him every week! 😜

Submitted Dec. 13, 2016

Extremely kind and understanding Doctor. He provides great therapy and truly cares about his patients.

Submitted Feb. 22, 2016