Dr. Merizalde is a very smart man, and he comes across as initially impressive. I can see how he can convince patients and peers of his to think highly of him. But he would be better off if he focused on the academic side of his field and not directly treating patients. The reason is that it becomes clear after a while that he struggles to connect, understand, and empathize with ordinary people struggling with ordinary aspects of life that he truly believes he understands, but it eventually becomes clear that he doesn't. And that's what makes his treatment potentially dangerous. After spending quite a long time under his care, it became quite clear to me that he has become so wrapped up in his own hype of being a high-priced professional who has earned general respect that he cannot recognize his own shortcomings and failures. And because of this, his inclination is to make his patients feel ashamed if they are not progressing in a way that he deems worthy of his time and attention.

Submitted Nov. 16, 2022

Submitted Aug. 13, 2008