Dr. Ernestina Pelayo, MD

Dr Pelayo prescribed quetiapine for my insomnia. I was not familiar with quetiapine but took it as prescribed. Quetiapine made my insomnia even worse and had terrible side effects. I then researched quetiapine and it turns out it is a powerful schizophrenia medication, and it is not recommended, nor is it approved, for insomnia. When I asked Dr Pelayo why she prescribed a schizophrenia medication for my insomnia, she changed the subject and would not answer my question. I don't believe Dr Pelayo has a competent grasp of basic medications used in psychiatry. I also don't believe she is trustworthy.

Dr. Pelayo is a grade A doctor. She is very attentive and compassionate. She is also very easy to talk to. I highly suggest her.

I've been a patient of Dr Pelayo for over 8 years. She is an excellent diagnostician, very easy to talk with, explains diagnosis, treatment, and medications very well. She asks thoughtful, careful questions. She includes me in treatment options, meaning that she has given me the choice of going into the hospital or not. I can tell her what has helped in the past. She listens very carefully. I have come to trust her, which I could not say of several other psychiatrists in Tucson. My husband accompanies me to some appointments, especially when I'm not doing well or going into crisis. Dr Pelayo asks him questions as well, so that he can give her his view on what is going on. She follows me very carefully. She makes sure that I have appointments scheduled, but always has made time for me when I need to come in sooner. She also returns messages by the end of the same day, and at times, within hours of my call. She cares about me as a person as well as her patient. Her office staff has… always been kind, attentive, patient with me, and has been good about scheduling my appointments at my convenience. They make reminder phone calls too. It's not easy to find a good doctor who is highly qualified medically, has personal communication skills and is truly caring. I highly recommend Dr Pelayo.

The Doctor is fine, the staff is uncaring, venomous, and have no business working with anyone in the public.

I was referred to Dr. Pelayo several years ago by a co-worker. I work as a teacher for our local university and knew that I needed help. I was coping with a loved one who was in hospice, dealing with depression and anxiety, and knew I needed to quit bare knuckling it. I met Dr. Pelayo and knew that she was going to be the right person to support and help me with some of diagnoses that were occurring. Even after the crisis was over I opted to stay with her because I found that my life had improved so much, and having her to talk to, and being able to listen to the suggestions she made made a lot of sense. She is truly an amazing and gifted doctor and I am blessed that I was referred to her.

Are we seeing the same Dr. Ernestina Pelayo? I don't know what happened during your appointments, but I have been seeing this doctor for almost 4 years and I have never been overcharged. If anything, I have been undercharged as she has gone over our 60 minute appointments many times in order to finish our discussions. I have offered to pay for the additional time and she refuses to bill me. I have found Dr. Pelyo to be very sweet and she genuinely cares which has helped me to heal. She is also very intuitive and knowledgeable and she has enabled me to change my life. However, I have an open mind and am receptive to her opinions, advice, and criticism as I am seeing her for help with my issues. She is always open to my input as she is humble as well. An added bonus is that she is very quick witted with an amazing sense of humor and we Iaugh often. I have also found the staff to be very helpful over the years and have not had any negative experiences. This is the best psychiatrist in… Tucson per therapists that would know through years of experience. Thank you Dr. Pelayo!

Self-serving. Eager to bill insurance for 30-60 minutes of "therapy" when she only spends about 10 minutes with the patient to push medication. EVERY time I had called for ANY reason her office would complicate the matter. Never dealt with such incompetence. Finally left. She shouldn't even be practicing in this country.

Dr Pelayo and her office staff are completely unprofessional and terrible to work with. From my very first visit they tried to over charge me without even attempting to bill my insurance first. I also was not very happy with how my visit went but decided to give her one more appt. the day before my appt I had something urgent come up and had to go out of town. I called with a 24 hour notice and was told that this particular dr needed a two day notice. I explained my situation to the front staff and asked if she could talk to the dr. She told me it would be unprofessional of her to ask if I would get charged a fee. This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! I guess anything to make a quick buck

She is a caring and professional doctor... Also has a good sense of humor which makes things pleasant. Her respect of me as a person is always present.

I've left this doctor more upset than when I've gotten there every time I've seen her. I've not received any results from the meds I've been given by her and the meds for anxiety are much less than what I had when I had similar problems before. I am now actively looking for another provider as that's all she is. She's not a "care" provider as she's never once indicated any care at all as to what I go through daily. very frustrated