Pacific Psychiatry, Inc.

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  Chloe Mylan

  4 months ago

  I am writing this review to share my experience with Pacific Psychiatry and psychiatrist Mary Garrett. I was a patient of Mary Garrett approximately five years ago. During my treatment, I was prescribed lithium. I experienced significant and distressing side effects from this medication, which I communicated to Mary Garrett over the course of multiple appointments and several months. My concerns were consistently dismissed, and I was told to continue the medication despite how unwell it made me feel. Due to the severity of the side effects, I ultimately made the decision to stop taking lithium. As a result, Mary Garrett refused to continue seeing me as a patient. Recently, nearly five years later, I contacted Pacific Psychiatry seeking care again, simply trying to be seen and receive help. I was informed that I would not be allowed to return as a patient, nor would I be permitted to see any other provider within the practice. I was told this was due to being labeled “noncompliant” with medication. What I find particularly concerning is that this decision was communicated to me by a staff member I have never spoken with before, who referenced my chart and spoke about my history in a way that felt unprofessional. I attempted to take accountability and explained that I am seeking help now, years later, but was still refused any opportunity for care. The front desk staff member, Sherry, stated that the practice would not work with me in any capacity or allow me to see another provider. This experience left me feeling discouraged and saddened. Mental health patients seek care during vulnerable times, and being denied access without discussion or consideration is deeply upsetting. I was once a paying patient, and I reached out in good faith hoping to receive support. Unfortunately, I did not feel heard, respected, or treated with compassion during this process. I hope Pacific Psychiatry reflects on how situations like this are handled and considers more patient-centered, empathetic approaches in the future. For the sanity and safety of all people seeking help please reconsidered this practice and look elsewhere. 🙏

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  Sarah Johnson

  5 months ago

  I have had the pleasure of being Allyson Gelman’s patient for the past several months. She has made one of the most, if not the most, positive impacts to my mental health. She is supportive, empathetic, and extremely knowledge in her field. Allyson has made me feel comfortable and hopeful during a very unsettling and sad time in my life. It is clear that Allyson genuinely cares about me as her patient and she continues to want the best for me. If anyone is looking to get support from an absolute professional, I highly recommend Allyson Gelman at Pacific Psychiatry. I look forward to continuing to work with her.

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  Brooke Klever

  3 months ago

  Called to schedule a new patient appointment and had to jump through so many hoops to be "considered" for an appointment. I had to complete ROIs for 5 previous providers to request medical records and was told to call each provider to speed up the process so I could make sure that I am able to get a potential appointment in before my meds run out. The catch? They wouldn't schedule an appointment until all of my medical records were in for their clinical supervisor to "review" and determine whether or not they will accept me. Spent so much time trying to coordinate medical records, sent them over, and then never heard back. Guess the supervisor is still "reviewing" them? Way to cherrypick patients. What a broken system. Just another systemic obstacle people seeking mental health support have to face.

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  John

  7 months ago

  The staff at Pacific Psychiatry generally seem like good people, but one provider and one policy make it difficult for me to recommend this practice. I was originally under the care of Doug Williamson, who diagnosed me with a health condition. During one of my last telehealth appointments with him, he crossed a line. At the time, I was taking a medication known to cause hand tremors at higher doses. After increasing the dosage, I experienced severe tremors and extreme thirst, so I told him I wanted to return to my starting dose. His response was something along the lines of, “You’re not going to like this, but you need to listen to me and do what I tell you.” That attitude was unacceptable. He wasn’t the one experiencing the side effects. I was. For a medical professional to dismiss my autonomy and imply I should just “do as I’m told” felt disrespectful and unethical. It’s my body, and if I’m having serious side effects, tremors that affected my driving and my job performance, I have every right to adjust or discontinue that medication. I later transferred to another doctor who treated me with respect and collaboration. Unfortunately, i had a change of insurance and can no longer see that provider, so I reached back out to Pacific Psychiatry because SLO county doesn’t have enough medical professionals. The practice has 13 professionals, including several who can prescribe medication, yet I was told I could only see the provider who originally diagnosed me, Doug Williamson. I even requested to see a female provider instead, but was told that wasn’t possible. I can’t help but question whether that policy is even legal. To make matters worse, I’ve been forced to jump through additional hoops before even being seen. Given my medical history, including stress-related health issues and PTSD-like symptoms from a previous job, the lack of understanding and compassion from this provider is disheartening. I haven’t even spoken to him yet this time around, and he’s already putting up barriers to care. Pacific Psychiatry may have good people overall, but my experience with Doug Williamson was dismissive and unprofessional. I strongly recommend avoiding him if you value patient autonomy and empathy in your care.

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  Nichole Ream

  6 months ago

  I had a bad experience with this office. I called them and the receptionist seemed nice until I told her my issues and then she said she needed my medical records, which I have not had for a psychiatrist in the past, but I gave them anyways. But, now I am starting to think she said that as a way to make it so I wouldn’t go with them. She said it could take months and months before I could be seen. Tell me, how does that help a person in distress? Also, the receptionist recommended a therapist who was unlicensed and who seemed greedy for money. I do not recommend this place at all.

Reviews from Google. Last updated May 11, 2026.