Dr. John Donaldson, DO

I only have good things to say about him. He has shown compassion and empathy through my struggles as a patient. I feel like he genuinely tried to understand me as he was a very good listener, which is something you don’t see in many psychiatrists. I really appreciated being his patient.

Listened attentively and let me tell my story in full. Full written evaluations that he reviewed prior to our appointment. Professional but not distant. Never gave up on my treatment. Very knowledgeable about how each medication worked, side effects, benefit vs risk, and adjusted the doses till it was perfect. He inspired hope and I felt confident turning my treatment over to him. I got better and better over time. He is always available to me between in person appointments by telephone appointments. First visit was 2006.

The doctor uses a non encrypted standard text messaging to communicate. Every message is charged individually. He does follow up but know that these are billed also and become the cost of an appointment if a discussion actually begins. There was no paperwork signed for anything, including a privacy release. Privacy rights were consistently violated. Appointments did not have notes or recorded information on prescriptions etc. which led to prescriptions not being called in and multiple attempts to resolve which all are charged. Too much to list.

Dr. Donaldson has been my mother’s psychiatrists for over a decade and we have nothing but a positive feedback about his services. To start, he is a great listener and cares genuinely about my mother’s well being. And one of the biggest plus is that his office offers phone appointments which I find very convenient given my mother’s condition and age. I also appreciate the prompt response I get back from the office to any of my questions. I am so happy I found Dr. Donaldson for my mother and I can’t imagine what we would be going through as a family if it wasn’t for Dr. Donaldson’s great care.

Never performed any evaluations, rather took my emotionally abusive husband's account of what I was suffering from instead resulting in a misdiagnosis. He was intimidated by my husband and would't address his abuse which he knew about and validated what I was telling him how I was being treated. He even prescribed a medication for me based on what my husband told him and argued with me when I told him that's not how I was feeling, but given my situation, I didn't have a choice to not take the medication. It made me feel horrible so I only took 1 1/2 doses and told him and my husband I wasn't taking anymore. He wouldn't take responsibility for his wrongdoings, gaslit me, called me a liar, shouted me down in a phone conversation and interfered in my divorce proceedings resulting in assassinating my character and costing me a significant financial loss. He shared details about his own life that was unprofessional and inappropriate. Don't trust this wolf in sheep's clothing

3rd message I've left at this site.. Apparently truth to perceived power's an unpopular statement.

Brilliant and ethical. He bases his recommendations on his vast knowledge of medical research and his many years of experience. He also listens and cares. What a combination.

Dr. Donaldson is wonderful he’s been my doctor for six weeks now and will come visit me in my apartment and he immediately answers my phone calls!Monterey is blessed to have this Good Doctor!

Very friendly and good first few visits, but last visits very distracted unorganized and also sharing very inappropriate personal information... He has changed almost like a new and different person. Made me very uncomfortable.