Dr. Michael Weitzner, MD

I have seen Dr. Weitzner here in Canada, Kamloops, BC. He is treating me for PTSD. I am a former nurse of 23 years so know a little bit about the health care system. Especially after working in Colorado for 5 years, and the rest in Canada. I had high hopes for psychiatric care, especially since I have been waiting for 4 years to see a Psychiatrist. He said, yes, PTSD. Confirmed what I knew but what Doctors in Canada are unfamiliar with/deny. He then prescribed a pill. For one year I persevered with that pill. Paxil. Made me suicidal. I got to explain my one year experience in less than 8 minutes. Appointments here are for 30 minutes. And only 20 minutes of that is for patient examination. The rest is for documentation. Dr. Weitzner has been incredibly helpful at documentation. He has helped me with fighting insurance providers and explaining to my own Doctor what is wrong with me. I just wish we could get away from pills. I need a break from pills.

A family member was under his care for 2 years. I felt as if all Weitzner wanted to do re: treatment was prescribe drugs. Many say that's what psychiatrists do (prescribe drugs)- and nothing more, so maybe my expectations are too high. When I asked about therapy to help address underlying issues, he discouraged it. I felt as though he didn't want to hear updates on symptoms. When I asked for other support (reading materials, references, support groups, etc), he had none. Disappointing.

Dr. Weitzner is one of the best psychiatrists I have ever had. He gets to know you and your situation; he treats you as a whole person; he is kind and caring, and respectful and nonjudgmental (a big deal with psychiatric issues); he is thorough in his approach; he follows up on treatment. Unfortunately he is leaving his Colorado practice. He's one of the best.