Dr. Lilly Kao, MD | San Luis Obispo, CA | Psychiatry

.about .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

Dr. Kao graduated from the Northeast Ohio Medical University,Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine and Pharmacy in 1997. She works in San Luis Obispo, CA and 7 other locations and specializes in Psychiatry, Family Medicine and Neurology.

accepting new patients
4.8

32 Ratings
29 years of experience
14 insurance plans accepted
speaks Spanish, Chinese
Charleston Area Medical Center
21 written reviews
3 specialties
13 areas of expertise
3 board certifications
8 office locations
Female

Gave an accurate diagnosis
Had a good bedside manner
Spent time with me

Based on patient feedback. Read the reviews

Dr. Kao's Ratings and Reviews

4.8

32 Ratings with 21 written Reviews

Average Wait Time 9 Minutes

How was your appointment with
Dr. Kao?

Patients’ Perspective

Gave an accurate diagnosis: (25) Did WellNeeds Improvement (0)
Had a good bedside manner: (26) Did WellNeeds Improvement (0)
Spent time with me: (26) Did WellNeeds Improvement (0)
Provided follow-up after the visit: (25) Did WellNeeds Improvement (0)
Flexible scheduling: (26) Did WellNeeds Improvement (0)
Saw me in a timely manner: No Ratings
Staff was courteous: No Ratings

Patients consistently praise Dr. Lilly Kao for her empathetic listening skills, thoroughness, understanding, and compassionate care. Positive feedback highlights her professional demeanor, punctuality, and ability to address individual needs attentively, making patients feel heard and supported, even in challenging times. On the other hand, negative feedback, although rare, points to issues with the length of appointments being too short to address all concerns fully, leaving some patients wishing for more time to resolve important issues. Despite these concerns, the overall sentiment towards Dr. Kao's care remains highly positive and commendable.

AI-generated from the text of patient reviews

32 ratings & reviews

Sort:

Showing 1 to 10 of 21 reviews

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

I really like dr Kao. She listens to me. I don't feel rushed. She sincerely cares about what I'm talking about. That's important to me. I'm very happy with her

April 15th, 2026

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

Overall great Doctor and is always helpful as well as a good listener to. Thank you.

February 18th, 2026

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

She will listen with empathy and offer her best expertise. I remain extremely grateful for her help throughout a very difficult period of my life.

December 28th, 2025

1 person found this helpful

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

I've been seeing Dr. Kao for a long time. She is always interested and helpful. She keeps track of my meds and helps me adjust prescriptions. Today she helped me with a therapist referral. I highly recommend.

November 21st, 2025

1 person found this helpful

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

My visit with her is always productive but far to short to really solve issues that are important and need to be addressed. I need more time with her. I like her a lot but need more time with her.

August 13th, 2025

1 person found this helpful

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

good easy way to connect by video appt on time personable chat

August 1st, 2025

2 people found this helpful

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

Dr Lily Kao is so kind and professional. She is thorough and gets my medicine to me on time. I love her so much.

July 18th, 2025

1 person found this helpful

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

Dr. Lily Kao is very kind and understanding. I felt at ease talking with her and being able to open up, which is usually difficult for me to do.

July 10th, 2025

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

Dr. Kao is always on time and very friendly. She listens to what you are wanting to do for treatment, which is huge for me as a patient who has struggled to find a doctor that is willing to listen to my needs. She always finds a way to express that she is available for you as an individual based on your needs. I highly recommend her to anyone who has struggled to find an empathetic doctor who listens well and treats each individual on a case by case basis.

July 9th, 2025

1 person found this helpful

.rating-and-reviews .noScriptHide .nojs-show,.truncated [data-rem],blockquote .truncated-text{ display: initial !important}.no-js-hide,.ellipsis { display: none; }.truncated:after {content: '' !important}

Dr Kao is exceptional! She is approachable, kind, respectful, listens with great concern.

July 3rd, 2025

1 person found this helpful

Chc Womens Health Care San Luis Obispo

1551 Bishop St Ste B240San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Tel: (805) 549-0402

Mon8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Tue8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Wed8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Thu8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Fri8:00 am - 5:00 pm

SatClosed

SunClosed

Advances In Mental Health & Addictions Treatment Center

5199 E Pacific Coast Hwy # 330NLong Beach, CA 90804

Tel: (562) 365-2020

Mon8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Tue8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wed8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thu8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Fri8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Sat9:00 am - 3:00 pm

SunClosed

Pathways Community Services

21520 Pioneer Blvd Ste 110Hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716

Tel: (562) 865-3644

Mon8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Tue8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Wed8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Thu8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Fri8:30 am - 5:30 pm

SatClosed

SunClosed

Advances And Breakthroughs In Mental Health

5199 E Pacific Coast Hwy Ste 330NLong Beach, CA 90804

Tel: (562) 365-2020

Mon8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Tue8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wed8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thu8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Fri8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Sat9:00 am - 3:00 pm

SunClosed

Sierra Vista Medical Pavilion Ambulatory Surgery Center

77 Casa St Ste 203San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

Tel: (805) 544-6471

French Hospital Medical Center

1911 Johnson AveSan Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center

1010 Murray AveSan Luis Obispo, CA 93405

California Mens Colony Hospital

Highway 1 NSan Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Tel: (805) 547-7900


Dr. Lilly Kao, MD	Dr. Neil Rajdev, MD	Dr. Daniel Duel, MD	Smriti Thebe, PMHNP
Psychiatry	Psychiatry	Psychiatry	Psychiatry
Accepts New Patients	Accepts New Patients	Accepts New Patients	Accepts New Patients
4.8 (32 Ratings)	0 (0 Ratings)	0 (0 Ratings)	0 (0 Ratings)
29 Years of Experience	7 Years of Experience	8 Years of Experience	3 Years of Experience
No Virtual Visit Option	Virtual Visit Available	Virtual Visit Available	Virtual Visit Available
Speaks Spanish, Chinese	Speaks English	Speaks English, Farsi	Speaks English
San Luis Obispo , CA	San Jose , CA	LOS ANGELES , CA	Santa Clara , CA
Med School: Northeast Ohio Medical University	Med School: University Of Cincinnati College of Medicine	Med School: David Geffen School Of Medicine At Ucla	Med School: West Coast University
Current Profile	View Profile	View Profile	View Profile

Search for your insurance and plan

Aetna
AltaMed Senior BuenaCare (PACE)
Anthem Blue Cross
Blue Shield of California
CenCal Health
Central California Alliance for Health
Cigna
Kaiser Permanente
Medicare
Medicare - Medicaid
Medicare - Medicare
Sharp Health Plan
UnitedHealthcare
University of Utah Health Plans

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) / Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Depressive Disorder
Family Medicine
Insomnia
Mental Illness
Mood Disorders
Neurology
Personality Disorder
Schizophrenia
Sleep Disorders

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Residency

Charleston Area Medical Center

Medical School

Northeast Ohio Medical UniversityGraduated in 1998

Northeastern Ohio University College Of Medicine And PharmacyGraduated in 1997

Dr. Allen Robert Doran, MD
Psychiatry
47 Years Exp | San Luis Obispo, CA
(0)
Dr. Wilton Anthony Mcleod, DO
Emergency Medicine
29 Years Exp | San Luis Obispo, CA
(5)
Lillian June Stanley
Nurse Practitioner
| San Luis Obispo, CA
(0)
Dr. Ralph D Mozingo, DO
Anesthesiology
35 Years Exp | Santa Barbara, CA
(41)
Dr. Marlene Mendoza Cordero, MD
Psychiatry
50 Years Exp | Atascadero, CA
(55)
Dr. Shannon Michele Easton-Carr, MD
Psychiatry
18 Years Exp | San Luis Obispo, CA
(2)
Dr. Rodolfo Castillo-Ruiz, MD
Infectious Disease
47 Years Exp | San Luis Obispo, CA
(2)
Dr. Karen K Lin, MD
Sleep Medicine
37 Years Exp | San Luis Obispo, CA
(26)
Debra Gale Roberts
Nurse Practitioner
| SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA
(0)
Dr. Elisa S Feingold, DO
Psychiatry
37 Years Exp | San Luis Obispo, CA
(13)

Where is Dr. Lilly Kao's office located?: Dr. Lilly Kao's office is located at 1551 Bishop St Ste B240, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401.
Is Dr. Lilly Kao accepting new patients?: Dr. Lilly Kao is accepting new patients on Vitals. View Dr. Lilly Kao's profile on Vitals to make an appointment.
Does Dr. Lilly Kao accept my insurance?: You can see the insurance plans that Dr. Lilly Kao accepts on their Vitals profile.
Does Dr. Lilly Kao accept virtual/telehealth appointments?: Dr. Lilly Kao has not indicated that they accept virtual/teleheatlh appointments. Contact their office through their Vitals profile to check for availability.
How can I make an appointment with Dr. Lilly Kao?: You can find contact information for Dr. Lilly Kao here on Vitals.

Our provider data is gathered directly from physicians and publicly available databases. Providers who verify their profiles gain the ability to update information, offering additional details about their specialties,education, treated conditions, performed procedures, and accepted insurances.

Reviews on Vitals are submitted by users only. Recognizing the valuable insights these reviews offer into a doctor's reputation, we maintain internal policies and protocols to ensure the quality and accuracy of all reviews. Importantly, providers cannot delete or alter reviews independently. Reviews can only be deleted or changed following an internal assessment by our customer service team.

Your feedback is highly valued and we encourage you to contact our support team should you encounter any issues.

Copyright © 2026 Vitals Consumer Services, LLC. US Patent No. 8, 694, 441. All Rights Reserved.
As more fully set forth in this website's terms of use . (1) nothing contained on or offered by or through this website should be construed as medical advice and should not be relied upon for medical diagnosis or treatment. Vitals Consumer Services, LLC ("Vitals"). the provider of this website, does not recommend or endorse any particular healthcare provider whose information or ratings appear on this website; and (2) Vitals has granted you a limited license to access and use this website for your own noncommercial use. You are not permitted to copy, reproduce, distribute, transmit, mirror, frame, scrape, extract, wrap, create derivative works of, reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble any part or aspect of this website.