Michael Vivian, MD

Dr Vivian has helped a member of my family with such profound care and compassion I can’t begin to tell you how her life has been changed by this care forever. She came from another local Psychiatrist who had treated her terribly but Thank god we located this gentle giant. I cannot recommend Dr Vivian more highly for the treatment of mental illness and pharmacology and the stigma is anything but with this gifted physician.

Nothing makes an insane person even more insane than finding a new psych. Even after I moved, I kept seeing my bay area doc despite it costing a gazillion dollars and too many hours to make the trip. I wasn’t going to quit him until he retired, mainly because my fear of entrusting my mental health with someone new. He did end up retiring about six months ago and I’ve been with Dr. Vivian every since then.
I only gave myself a few weeks to find a new doctor before the old one retired. If you have been through the referral process with your insurance company, then you know that this was a really bad move. Especially in a town with way less options than the bay area. It doesn’t help that my insurance company kept referring me to child psychiatrists.
After calling god knows how many doctors that weren’t suitable, I almost gave up hope and accepted my fate as another Reagan statistic. A really good looking statistic. By the time I called Dr. Vivian I was already in a pissy mode. Left a message and expected a «Sorry I only treat children, old people, and kittens» reply.
OH MAH GAWD! Not only did he call back same day, but he actually treats all the Megans of Ventura! Well not all the Megans. No one can take on all the Megans, but I digress. He was so nice and easy going during the phone call; no judgements or condescending remarks (in my experience, condescending is the norm in psychiatry, at least during the intake process). Also totes cool with my current treatment yet also totes cool with switching it up a little to make me even more awesome.
Dr. Vivian listens better than any doctor I’ve seen in the past and has never pulled the «I’m a doctor so I know more about how you feel that you know how you feel» card. He never pushes his own agenda, never tries to «outsmart» me, never pushes me to do anything I’m not comfortable with… there are lots of other nevers, but you get the idea. It’s nice to have a doctor that works with me rather than make me feel like I’m working for him or her. A doctor that allows me to make my own decisions without judgement… within reason of course. Don’t go there demanding «party drugs» because you think being a junkie is the best decision for you. He’s not some Hollywood doc with a loose script pad. In fact, he’s been teaching me about natural supplements that can aid treatment for some people (so far so good!). The man has solid ethical standards.
I actually look forward to seeing him and feel confident with my choices every time I leave his office. Maybe if more doctors were like him, psychiatry wouldn’t be such a dirty word.

The best in Ventura county. Affable, inquiring and patient. Has a wide drug knowledge.
Unfortunately does not accept Medicare (and I don’t blame him). Also cash only. Now only works 3 days a week. Not his fault, the US Medical System is collapsing.