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Dr. Alaa Elhaj, MD

Dr. Alaa Elhaj, MD

Psychiatry*
25+ years of experience

Dr. Alaa Elhaj, MD is a psychiatrist in Berkeley, CA and has over 25 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from C.U. SHAH MEDICAL COLLEGE in 1998. He is affiliated with medical facilities such as Mills-Peninsula Medical Center and Stanford Hospital. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments.

3 Star Rating
Based on 26 reviews 3 Star Rating (26 reviews)

Practice

2020 Milvia St Ste 300 Berkeley, CA 94704
Telehealth available

Make an Appointment

At a Glance

  • Area of Expertise
    Dr. Elhaj specializes in the area of Psychiatry. See board certifications
  • Offers Telehealth
    This doctor offers telehealth appointments. Call the office to schedule an appointment.
  • Practices at Top Hospital
    America's 100 Best Hospitals Award™ See hospitals
  • Hospital Satisfaction
    Patients said they were highly satisfied at this doctor's hospital. See hospitals
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Dr. Elhaj's Reviews

Likelihood to recommend Dr. Elhaj

3.0
26 ratings, 12 with a written review
5 star
42%
42%
4 star
8%
8%
3 star
0%
0%
2 star
8%
8%
1 star
42%
42%

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One of the worst
Telehealth
In my opinion, Dr. Elhaj is one of the worst doctors I have ever worked with. In my opinion, he was careless with his prescriptions and dosages. When my condition got worse, he did not support me.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • I didn't feel respected
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
  • Long wait times
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
doc-review-sf – Dec 19, 2024
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Elhaj prescribed benzodiazepines for my son’s anxiety. When it became clear my son was abusing the meds and I raised my concerns, what did Elhaj do? Prescribed more. It was a nightmare because he convinced my son he needed the meds to feel “normal.” My son has since embraced drug-free methods to address his anxiety. Beware, Elhaj is dangerous.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Office environment
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Mom in OP – Mar 15, 2020
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Pushes pills
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Office environment
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
  • Long wait times
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
Jun 14, 2019
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I went to Elhaj (regrettably) for a second opinion on a diagnosis, to say he was arrogant would be putting it extremely mildly. He's a terrible listener and a narcissist. I had disclosed to him my previous psychologist had recommended cannabis as an alternative to prescription drugs 3-4x a week, and what does he do with this info? He files a claim for substance abuse which likely netted him more $ considering the bill I received. This one mistake is denying myself and 7-month-old health ins.
What went well
  • Staff friendliness
What could be improved
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
Kansas City – Dec 29, 2017
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Caring, calm, knowledgable. Listens with empathy. Recommend highly
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Overland Park KS – Sep 21, 2016
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Dr. Elhaj has been my Doctor for almost 4 or 5 years. I met him when I was a patient at Shawnee Mission Hospital. The Hospital and Dr Elhaj saved my life. He has always showed his caring about and has worked hard to help me. If I had not been placed on the meds, I might not still be alive! I continue going to see him because we both know I need too. He does not want you over medicated, because he has remove one of my medications and reduced the dose on the other. Great Caring Doctor
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Elizabeth A in Kansas City, KS – Sep 08, 2016
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He has been the only psychiatrist in 20 years who really effectively treated my Bipolar II. I will recommend his care to anyone.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Charlotte, NC – May 04, 2016
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I've seen Dr. Elhaj for 5 years. He was initially very patient and kind, and a good listener. However, when the medications he prescribed me started to give me serotonin syndrome, and I became very anxious and had a meltdown with my therapist, Dr. Elhaj took no responsibility for that. My therapist quit, and Dr. Elhaj refused to tell him that the medications were partly to blame. He also is unsupportive of me wanting to have another child and told me it's not the 1950s, I don't need any more.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Staff friendliness
  • Wait times
What could be improved
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
6 others found this helpful
Helpful
Independence, MO – Apr 27, 2016
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Dr. Elhaj was a competent doctor, but he often disregarded my point of view and arrogantly dictated what was best for me, despite any experience I might have had to the contrary.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
6 others found this helpful
Helpful
Tim in Kansas City, MO – Apr 07, 2016
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I have been seeing Dr. Elhaj for almost four years. I met him when I was a patient at Shawnee Mission. He is the best doctor I have had in any field. He cares about his patients and works hard to help them live a better life. I would not be alive if wasn't for him!
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Curtis in Bonner Springs, KS – Jan 20, 2016
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He is very caring, and he honestly listens. I have left every visit more hopeful about the future.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Jan 15, 2016
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Excellent physician, really takes the time to listen to you and asks for questions from you......
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Nick E in Overland Park, KS – Jan 06, 2016
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About Me

biography

Dr. Alaa Elhaj, MD is a psychiatrist in Berkeley, CA and has over 25 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from C.U. SHAH MEDICAL COLLEGE in 1998. He is affiliated with medical facilities such as Mills-Peninsula Medical Center and Stanford Hospital. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments.
  • Psychiatry

*Healthgrades does not verify qualifications for medical specialties. Please verify your provider's specialty and qualifications directly with your provider and applicable medical board.

  • C.u. Shah Medical College

    Medical School, 1998
American Board of Medical Specialties®
American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology®
Psychiatry
For detailed information about any of the below board actions, please search for the provider's records on the linked state licensing board or the Federation of State Medical Boards. To learn more about the difference between these sources, please refer to our FAQs.
Healthgrades has not received any data indicating a board action exists for this provider.
  • English

  • French

Locations

Practice

Office2020 Milvia St Ste 300 Berkeley, CA 94704
1

Practice

Office8340 Mission Rd Ste 210 Leawood, KS 66206
2

Practice

Office2001 Dwight Way Ste 4190 Berkeley, CA 94704
3

Affiliated Hospitals

  • Stanford Hospital

    300 Pasteur Dr
    Stanford, CA 94305
    Recipient of 34
    hospital awards

    America's 100 Best Hospitals Award™ (2025, 2024, 2023)

    Top in the nation for overall patient experience based on nine measures related to doctor and nurse communication, hospital cleanliness and noise levels, and medication and post-discharge care instructions

    America's 250 Best Hospitals Award™ (2025, 2024, 2023)

    Top in the nation for overall patient experience based on nine measures related to doctor and nurse communication, hospital cleanliness and noise levels, and medication and post-discharge care instructions

    View all awards

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    89%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    5% higher than the national average

    84%
    Patients would recommend the hospital to friends and family

    19% higher than the national average

    View all patient feedback
  • Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

    1501 Trousdale Dr
    Burlingame, CA 94010
    Recipient of 46
    hospital awards

    America's 100 Best Hospitals Award™ (2025, 2024, 2023)

    Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications

    America's 250 Best Hospitals Award™ (2025, 2024, 2023)

    Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications

    View all awards

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    87%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    3% higher than the national average

    80%
    Patients would recommend the hospital to friends and family

    15% higher than the national average

    View all patient feedback
  • Alta Bates Summit Medical Center-Alta Bates Campus

    2450 Ashby Ave
    Berkeley, CA 94705
    Recipient of 25
    hospital awards

    America's 100 Best Hospitals Award™ (2025, 2024, 2023)

    Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications

    America's 250 Best Hospitals Award™ (2025, 2024, 2023)

    Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications

    View all awards

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    81%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    3% lower than the national average

    72%
    Patients said that doctors always listened to them and explained things well

    4% lower than the national average

    View all patient feedback
Learn more about how Healthgrades measures Hospital Quality