Dr. Gerson is very enthusiastic and academically driven, it shows in his lectures and also in his involvement with clinical fellows in training. Great teacher. Is compassionate and caring with patients focusing holistically in their care and family members. Focuses on best practices and up to date standard of care. Also, takes into consideration patient's support system and provides empathetic psychoeducation to family members and caretakers. Would highly recommend.

Submitted April 21, 2023

Fantastically responsive doctor, listened to and understood my story.

Submitted April 21, 2023

I hold a bachelor's in psych from IC and I'm currently applying to receive my doctorate in psychology. Dr. Gerson was the culprit for one of the worst experiences of my life while being a patient at CMC and a junior at Ithaca College. I was transferred to him after 2 other doctors (one who was out of town, the other had too many patients or something).

While being in the psych unit, I was having resurfacing of childhood memories and got emotional - I had only briefly met him once, and when we sat down to talk, I thought his job was to be supportive and help me work through this process of being a young woman and going through a lot at my 3rd year in college (not to mention my 3rd serious winter, where I did not balance or take care of myself well.) I was crying and wanted to share emotions and thought he would hear me and help me work through some emotions, he interrupted me, gaslit and told me I was "all over the place and he didn't have time to hear it." He and his team were confused over my diagnosis for about a week and they used intimidation and fear tactics to tell my Mom "what kind of person I am" and how "I will be different and need medication the rest of my life."

He refused to let me sign myself out of the hospital after 10 days, though I had signed myself in.
He has terrible bedside manner, will argue with or fight the patient over their choice in care, and he refuses to hold compassion, even when it is needed the most. He is busy scrambling to decide which pill to push and I feel he and his team might not make a good decision on this, and could be ruining lives, much less give an accurate diagnosis. Rest assured, after 2 months of his prescription treatments (which made me have nightmares, remain exhausted, and have huge shifts in my personality and social behavior) - I was able to cut back and finally get off all of it. I have been psychotropic-free for 10 years and have successfully held jobs, survived grieving the death of my father and best friend, and released an album, and made any dream I had happen.

I considered signing paperwork for unlawful treatment (and had several nurses encourage me to do so) while in the psych unit and decided against it. Even writing this has made me aware that I could have made a case. BE CAREFUL if you take someone to him - especially someone under 21. They do not have a voice and it will be confusing for them.

Submitted Feb. 8, 2020

Insensitive, writes article on essentials for patient healing and then does not follow his own advise.

Submitted July 19, 2018

Unlike most helping professionals, his priority is money over providing care . Callous and unprofessional .

Submitted July 17, 2017

This doctor is awesome, kind, considerate, patient, helpful, and overall easy to get along with. I was impressed!

Submitted March 9, 2011

Dr. Gerson was very kind and considerate as a psychiatrist. He was very willing to explore treatment options and was open to trying new approaches if previous routes didn't seem to be effective. I always felt like I could be straightforward with my opinions and feelings about various matters without fear of being judged or not listened to.

Submitted July 11, 2008