Mel Blaustein, MD

I’m surprised at such negative reviews. I find Dr. Blaustein compassionate and skillful.
He is always on time, always prepared, and has many helpful suggestions, and is always ready to listen. I feel he is an excellent Dr. and would recommend him to any one looking for a good Dr.

Worst psychiatrist ever. Misdiagnosed me, barely spend any time with me before diagnosing me. Rude, short, sexist, and a terrible doctor all around.

I do not recommend this doctor.
I was treated by Dr. Blaustein many years ago, and the treatment lasted for many years with an unsuccessful outcome. I always felt a bit uncomfortable with the doctor, I would go as far as to say that I was actually afraid of the doctor, but I thought it was me, since I was a bit crazy. But reading some of the other reviews, I now know that it was him and not just me. Shame on you Blaustein, you intimidated, blamed and bullied me during our 10 year run, shame on you.
I do not recommend this doctor.

I had him a few months ago. He was a good doctor. I was not in my right mind at the time, but he handled the situation well. I recommend him.

I’ve been experiencing severe side effects from a new drug, which has become the epicenter of a national debate among physicians, public, and the FDA. I’m truly scared of my condition, and don’t know how I’m going to fix this chronic illness — I’m in pain every day, all the time.
In the midst of horrible symptoms, along with the fact that I’m a foreign living alone in the US, I sought out a referral from my health insurance, which provides great coverage btw. They mentioned this gentleman who, in the opinion of a humble scientist by education and professional by need, provided the worst consultation I have ever had, including dentists, attorneys, architects, contractors, etc, and etc.
To start, he wasn’t rude to me, just because I didn’t let him be. At the first condescending comment he snapped, I had to «raise» the tone to manage his manner. However, I couldn’t prevent him from making weird looks (on purpose) hinting that my accent could in some extent, interfere in our communication. He did a great job on faking a heavy native-​speaker accent, so along with the weird looks he could establish superiority dynamic, or so he thought. He is utterly rude and racist, in San Francisco, CA, 2014.
Not to be unfair, he simply does not know what is going on in the field. He is just outdated. For this article’s sake, just be aware of him. Come on! The drug I’m taking has been on national spot since it was released and he could say the name, even after I spelled it out?! (well, maybe that was fault of my accent).
However, the best was yet to come (at this point I hadn’t completely lost faith in him). He waves me to halt, dials a pharmacist, who sounded to be his assistant or business partner, and begins a consultation over the phone!!! He starts to ask about conversion tables and equivalency with other drugs. He even requests recommendation on treatments, sharing my condition, in front me, the patient. Information that I had obtained on the internet even before I started to take the medication.
And the absurdity continues on. Even before I could put my thoughts together about the «options» for treatment he was describing, he goes: «…who said I going to treat you?». Can you possibly believe a health care professional saying such a thing? He claims to be a MD and treats me like that?
Seriously, he goes: «You can do (a), (b), or (c)». Then I verbalize: «Well, it seems we can start with (a). He responds: „I don’t do (a)“. „Well, maybe (b)?“. His answer again: „You can’t do (b) in the office!“. My last hope goes:“Ok, than ©?». He kills it:“For © you have to find somewhere else.“
Then I gracefully try to minimize my loss and get some information, referral, phone number, he cuts me off to request my health insurance card, makes copies, throws it across the table, and demands $ 40. Can one believe that?
As I write, in painful and hopeless condition, I’m confused. I went to see a doctor, who didn’t give me a diagnostic, exam, treatment, anything. And I gave him $ 40, on top of approximately $ 150 from the insurance. Is that how is supposed to be?

I’ve had many issues in the past and have been trying to find an understanding and helpful psychiatrist for years now to no avail. Im not sure why I thought Blaustein would be any different-​maybe because it seems like he knows his stuff to the outsider.
Mainly I chose him because he was covered by my insurance but I still had hope because I was going through an especially bad time. He was so rude and judgmental to me, it was worse than if I had pulled a random person off the street and made them sit down and poured my heart out-​actually I’m sure they would have had better advice for me than him. He told me the pain I was feeling from real physical health problems (reproductive) were not «real pain» and I couldn’t compare real pain to «woman’s pain» (!!!) and said something sexist about woman. I was truly shocked and it set me back, Ive never had a therapist be this inconsiderate and outright hurtful and rude.
Also I don’t think he gets many younger/​alternative looking patients too so I felt him scrutinizing my tattoos, piercings, hair etc and I could see he made a clear assumption of how I was right after meeting me. Even mentioned something about how I look and I should «get my act together».
I didn’t go back and would never recommend anyone to go to see him, there is nothing positive to gain from this experience thats for sure… I would give 0 stars if I could, 1 is being too generous. Be wary of this Dr!!!

I’ve seen Dr. Blaustein for a long time, and have always found him to be very compassionate and intelligent. I recommend him!

He’s pretty much the worst psychiatrist I’ve ever had.

Dr. Blaustein is in my network (major plus) and based on the 3 recommendations he has on Unilocal seems to be one of the best in the industry so I gave him a call. I was astonished at how rude and curt he was on the phone.
I called, he answered on the first ring. No hello just «Dr. Blaustein, who is this?» I identified myself and asked if he was taking new patients, he said no, I then asked if he could recommend anyone else in the area… he LAUGHED AT ME. He said «I am not in the business of sending business elsewhere, why would I do that?» I thanked him for his time and hung up.
Obviously I am in need of someone with his training and expertise, why else would I call? If you’re not available to take me on as a patient how does it hurt your practice to recommend me elsewhere… if anything I’ll remember you for your kindness.
Good luck to his patients, I hope he is nicer to you than he is to prospective patients.

Dr. Blaustein is wonderful. Great Psychiatrist– knows his stuff, will tell you the truth and asks the right questions. Seriously, what more could you ask for outside of being cured from having to see a Psychiatrist in the first place?!? :-)