Dr. Jonathan Ames, PhD

One of the 5 star reviews is from the provider himself. You will have to defend and reiterate the choices you make and why with Jonathan Ames. In his opinion, his choices are better. Do not see this provider for trauma.

Dr. Ames has been really helpful to me. I am sorry to read that another person did have a bad experience with him but this was not the case at all for me and I saw him regularly for 2+ years. I am a much better and healthier person now, and this is largely due to his work with me.

When we were still establishing the therapist and client relationship, he made inappropriate comments about my appearance. This was especially disturbing considering that there was a massive age gap because Jonathan and me. In some therapy sessions, he took up my time to discuss his problems. I thought that therapy would be the place for me to talk and work through my issues, but he made it seem like my issues weren't worth his time at all times. I felt deeply uncomfortable and disrespected that he would talk about every negative thing wrong with Asian culture while putting American culture on a pedestal. I'm Filipino-American and I can find good and bad things about both Filipino and American cultures. Plus, he invalidated my bisexuality. To him, it was just a phase that I might eventually get over with. It's funny because I never got over my "bisexuality phase" because I'm still bisexual anyway. That will never change. What made me finally leave was that he invalidated my choice… of never wanting kids despite him never having kids. It's ironic he would berate my choice of being childfree while being childfree himself. Overall, I don't recommend him at all. Seek out a different therapist especially if you're seeking therapy in trauma and autism.

This guy is the worst. He will ruin your life.

This is Dr. Jonathan Ames. The person who wrote this review was highly traumatized and emotionally incoherent at the start of our few visits (in 2011). I was actually seeing her son, who was 8 or 9. Concerned with the mother's emotional instability, at one point I contacted Child Protective Service. She has demonized me ever since. I understand that under current social conditions, males denying the complaints of females is viewed with historically-justified suspicion. Indeed, many of my current clients are women whom I am supporting in speaking up, and processing the numbing trauma of past violations. I am primarily a trauma therapist. I ask that prior to deciding not to consider me based on the review placed on Vitals, you might contact me for further details. The tragedy here is that having been in fact brutally abused, this person will attack those who attempt to provide care (I am not the only provider who has had such experience following contact with this very damaged… soul). Thanks for your consideration.

No matter how long and how far away he stays, the damage caused me by this man and his so called therapeutic relationship is permanent. The trauma he caused has been verified by three professionals including one of his own colleagues and the director of social services in a neighboring county. Please stay away!