Dr. Scott Michael Murray, MD

I appreciate a listener!!

To the person who wrote "I have learned that when I am unhappy about something within our relationship/sessions [with Dr. Murray], I need to speak up and we will talk about it," that may work in your sessions with him, but it didn't with mine. Any time I would bring up something I was uncomfortable or unhappy with about a session, Dr. Murray would just refuse to talk about it. He seemed to believe that if you just ignore a problem (or a patient) it would eventually just go away (he was wrong, it only made things worse). He became very defensive any time he was confronted with a concern or a seeming contradiction in his therapy, he would just sit there and stare at me in silence. When I would ask him if he had any input about it, he responded with a terse "NO." It sounds like your experience with him is much, much different than mine was. Also, just a note here after viewing some of the comments about keeping patients in therapy 10 to 20 years........... WOW!!! Seriously? … Don't they ever get any better? It sounds to me like Dr. Murray encourages an unhealthy dependence in these patients. I'm glad I didn't get caught up in that.

I have been working with Dr. M for over 20 years. He has been nothing but professional and kind with me. There have been times during my healing and growth that I have wanted a more personal friendship/relationship, but he remained firm with his professional boundaries and has always been very respectful toward me. Has the therapeutic relationship always been perfect? No. Do I walk away from every session happy and satisfied? No. But The therapeutic relationship is a two way path. I have learned that when I am unhappy about something within our relationship/sessions, I need to speak up and we will talk about it. I have learned that although I consider him a great doctor, he is only human, with all the limitations that involves. I have and will continue to hold him in high regard and recommendation as a doctor and individual.

I'm not at all surprised by Dr. Murray's poor ratings. I also totally understand the previous reviewer's defensiveness regarding him, because I felt the exact same way and would have defended him just as fiercely at one point, and not believed anything negative about him -- until it happened to me. I am assuming that perhaps the previous reviewer is a guy and Dr. Murray is likely more appropriate with men. In my case, I think Dr. Murray really meant well in the beginning but allowed the therapeutic relationship to turn way too friendly (giving and accepting gifts, sharing too much personal information about himself, and some other things I won't go into here but I have since learned were totally inappropriate for a therapist to do) which were extremely counterproductive to a healthy therapeutic relationship and caused huge problems. He also refused to return some treasured family pictures I had shared with him (when I requested them after he was no longer my therapist, he stated… -- in front of 2 different people -- that they were "gifts" to him and he would not return them. After first stating that he would not give them back, he then changed his story (several months later) and said he didn't have them anymore. These were shared with him during a vulnerable time during therapy when I felt bad about him giving me gifts and my not having the means to reciprocate accordingly -- so gave him what was most treasured to me -- that's how much trust I had in him -- I never dreamed he would one day refuse to let me have them). It makes no sense to me that he refuses to return these treasured photos or that he would destroy them (I still don't know which story is the truth). The experience made me very wary of trusting another therapist, but I do have a great one now. I feel like going to Dr. Murray was a really bad experience, but it was also a valuable a lesson in not trusting someone just because he has the title of "doctor" before his name. Maybe other people have had better experiences with Dr. Murray -- I really hope so. I just know that if I had it to do over, I would never have gone to him.

I have seen Dr. Murray for 10 years, and feel he has helped me in a kind, caring manner, but without being intrusive. He is very respectful and polite, traits which matter to me. I feel safe in his office. He is very professional and would never behave inappropriately. I agree with one of the other reviewers that you will get out of your therapy what you put into it. You can't just sit/lie there expecting miracles. We all go to therapy for different reasons, so we will all get different results, depending on how we choose to work on our problems. I think several of these reviews were written by the same person, someone who bears a real grudge toward Dr. Murray, and seems to want revenge by giving him bad reviews, which I suspect are not true. Those things just do not seem typical of him. I don't understand why this patient would seek such personal information about her (this seems like a woman) therapist or blame him for all that is wrong. I think this person requires help… beyond what any therapist could give.

I went to Dr Murray for about 7 years but I am no better then I was when I started going to him. I asked him when I would start getting better and he ...

I initially began seeking Dr Murray's expertise for my grief process. When I first began therapy, I could hardly talk, much less get out of bed. Making the effort to begin this process was difficult and emotionally draining and yes, at times I did not want to continue. I made the decision to talk to a complete stranger and I did so because a third unemotional party is what I personally needed to aid in my recovery from numerous issues as well as to re-gain my health after trauma.Dr Murray is there for individuals who need help with matters that pertain to psychiatric issues. He is a profesional and not at your disposal to be your best friend, simply because you may tell him your most inner secrets or fears.Often times I do not know where to begin so I start "thinking out loud." I do not ask him questions seeking answers to facilitate my problems at hand. Through talking, my answers come about through my own questioning.In regards to others who may have experienced what they deem as… unconcerned, aloof, rude and inconsiderate on Dr Murrays behalf, remember there are two people at hand in a session. Absolutely everyone is not on the same page at the same time. General advise is to not take your insecurities, talk about them, then when you do not get the reaction you expect take this personaly. I cannot in good faith base my experience on other's opinions. I form my own position with an understanding of my knowledge on my doctor-patient relationship. I am learning the value of behavior modification and setting healthy boundaries. I have Dr Murray to thank for his assistance in all he helps me understand.Would I recomend him? Yes, in a heart beat. By the way, if I felt as if I were being treated with rudeness and etc., I find it my responsibility to say so in a mature manner and not act or say anything at the height of an emotional state. Do your part when you seek therapy, even when you find it most difficult. If done so then your therapist will understand more of what your needs may be. This helps him see you in a clearer light. The only part I dislike is that I cannot afford to see him at least three times a week.Thank you.

I can't express enough how wonderful Dr. Murray is. He truly cares about his patients and is extremely professional and knowledgeable. He is also very compassionate.