Dr. John Robert Donaldson, DO

I only have good things to say about him. He has shown compassion and empathy through my struggles as a patient. I feel like he genuinely tried to understand me as he was a very good listener, which is something you don’t see in many psychiatrists. I really appreciated being his patient.

Avoid this man like the plague. He used to work at Chomp...what happened there?

I was a patient of Dr. Donaldson for 8 years, stupidly, but was in a very emotionally abusive marriage which he was aware of and did nothing to help. Rather he appeased my abusive husband’s manipulative requests to treat me according to his observations. This included giving me an antipsychotic after he’d been beaten at a game of tennis by my husband. He also allowed my husband to fill out and forge my name on the HIPPA form and had conversations about me even though I never signed a letter of consent. When I was going through my divorce he began testing our son for depression caused by the divorce but would not address the way my husband was testing our son. When I confronted him for being intimidated by my husband he turned on me and started accusing me of ad hominem attacking him and in one phone conversation shouted me down saying he wouldn’t let me tell an “untruth”. Then called my attorney without my permission and told him something I didn’t say giving my attorney the… opinion I was mentally unstable which ended up costing me a significant amount of monetary compensation from the settlement because my attorney wanted nothing to do with me after this. I have file a complaint against Dr. Donaldson and am waiting to hear the result. If this isn’t proof he’s a doctor to avoid then I don’t know what else it would take.

Easy to make appointment. He came out to my mother's assisted living facility to see her and it was the same price as if I took her into the office. Nice, personable Doctor. Wonderful bedside manner with my mom and also was so pleasant to the staff where mom lives. I am so happy with this psychiatrist.

Dr. Donaldson is a very kind and thoughtful physician, and he always takes the time to answer any question I have. His explanations are clear, and he always asks for my opinion and input before we ever embark on any plan. In contrast, the other physicians I have seen treat me like a child and seem irritated when I ask questions. If something goes wrong, he's always available by phone, and if I need to see him it can usually be arranged that day. He has even seen me on the weekend.

Excellent "bedside" manner. I expected medication information, what I received was an extensive evaluation of my mental health symptoms, medical issues, sleep, appetite, trauma, family history. Dr discussed with me what he was thinking, and I assisted in targeting my biggest complaints. Together we developed a plan I was on board with. In subsequent appointments we fine tuned things. I even scrapped one Med, and Dr was great about finding an alternative one.

My son has ADHD and severe Hemophilia A. A child would have a hard time with one of those but my son has both. All my son's teachers had a certain look in their eye when my son came in the class, like oh no not him. Dr. Donaldson was patient with my son, got him on the right treatment plan and on the right path. For that I am forever greatful.

I only had to wait 5 days for my first appointment and his receptionist on the phone was very helpful. He spent more time with me than other doctors have and we were not rushed during the appointment. Felt he really cared. His office called afterwards to see how I was doing. I can always reach someone at his office and he responds quickly when I need to talk to him. Offers house calls at same price as office visits! I'm never changing doctors!

Dr Donaldson offers house calls!! He goes to see my Dad in the assisted living facility in Monterey. I can relax knowing Dad is being checked on regularly by Dr. Donaldson.

Great psychiatrist. Great Doctor. He knows his stuff. Smart man. Team approach.