Dr. Michael Alonzo Nelken, MD

I feel somewhat conflicted because Dr. Nelken is a caring man who, unlike some of his other colleagues, actually sticks around and works with his patients. Having said that, he is crabby, overweeningly opinionated, changeable, and not entirely adept at diagnosis or treatment. He does get the larger picture, and he does have courage and penetration. He has seen his share of wacky and manipulative behavior, I am sure, and while I do admire him for being an individualist, it is sometimes hard to determine what he does or does not know about recent developments in his field. On the other hand, the depth and power of his compassion is moving and he is in the right profession--more or less. Someone MUST tell him that he needs to do whatever is required to bring an end to his truly unacceptable habit of falling asleep during sessions. So, if you can deal with crankiness, volatility, hobbyhorses, and holding your own against someone who nods off while you are speaking with him, then go… ahead and consult him. I will say that he is there when push comes to shove, and that for all his peculiar behaviors, he still is much better at what he does than three-fourths of his psychiatric colleagues. A together appearance is not worth dealing with someone who doesn't get their field or cannot deal with it. So, overall, a rocky experience, but a man who is basically and fundamentally worth it. I really do wish, however, that he would reconsider some of his more questionable and peculiar views on Hitler. In all likelihood psychiatrists need to have strong bents to be up to the real business of this calling.