Melanie M. Watkins, MD

I’ve known Dr. Watkins every since she was a medical student. I have worked with her and have directly seen how much she cares for her patients She would never ask a patient for any reviews. That’s just not how she is. Don’t just use Unilocal reviews to make the decision on which doctor to choose for you or a loved one. Call her office and you can decide for yourself! She is the kind of doctor anyone should choose. She cares so much for ALL her patients!

I am a past employee of Dr Melanie Watkins. During my employment with her I saw a hard working psychiatrist who went above and beyond for her patients. She is conscientious and caring. Melanie has the ability to put you at ease, as she is warm and good natured. She smiles and looks you in the eye when you are talking to her. I felt like she listened to my questions about work and gave me good answers. Dr. Watkins is an exception psychiatrist to work for.

I had doubts about writing a review because I was afraid I would have to experience a nightmare with Melanie all over again. Burt people has a right to know! This review is not for me throw some complaints and get attention. As a professional, a clinical psychologist, working with many psychiatrists over years in my clinical practice, I am outraged at the most unprofessional, borderline unethical, services by this person. She doesn’t take any insurance, and your first visit will cost you around $ 450 for 1-​hour intake. Ok, I expected that. However what happens next, I urge you to finish reading this review. In my years of clinical practice, i worked with all kinds of personalities, different psychiatrists with their boundaries that they make very clear at the first session if not before. Melanie indirectly implied she was ready to handle the transfer of care since my psychiatrist was retiring. It was very hard to find a psychiatrist but I thought I finally could rest on my search only to find out 1.5 months later that she had no desire to keep me as her patient and didn’t even bother to prescribe medications to control my Bipolar Disorder and panic Disorder with Agorophobia. She led me on for 2 (!!!) months and took all the money, almost $ 700 (she doesn’t accept an insurance) to only give me a prescription for a week, which you all know insurance companies only give you a month-​supply. She told my retired psychiatrist that it was only a short-​term arrangement, which she told him and never had any decency to inform the patient. I found out her intentions 1 week before I would run out of meds. I had to taper myself of them, and felt into horrific depression with suicidal thought and a debilitating depression. She never cared about me as a patient but she did make almost $ 1,000 in 2 meetings. She led me on until i was out of meds. I didn’t think I could write this review because just a mere thought makes me extremely angry. Please stay away from this psychiatrist. She has a good poker face and will lead you on until the last minute. I shredded her prescription of a joke for 1 week and, for my own sanity, i never could call her back. My productivity went down, she wasn’t treating not only my panic disorder but even was going to leave me unmedicated from a serious persistent mental illness. I had my share of interactions with different psychiatrists, but Melanie gets the first place for tthe most unprofessional, unethical practice. She left me in depression, thinking something was wrong with me, inability to function, having suicidal thoughts and hopelessness about finding a good psychiatrist. But I finally found a compassionate, very perceptive psychiatrist and can open my computer again (I was afraid to do basic things). He saved me! Yes, this is a good case for malpractice but I don’t have time to bother myself with even remembering her name after this post. I STRONGLY ADVICE, STAY AWAY FROM HER! You might be swayed by her friendly personality but if a person in a helping profession has no remorse for you to drown day by day in excruciating anxiety and depression, that’s not a doctor. She has full-​time jobs and I cannot comment on that but stay away from her private practice. I urge you as a patient and as a clinical psychologist. I can’t wait to forget this person who put me in such 2-​week hopelessness and desperation that I could never call her back. I am extremely grateful and happy with my new psychiatrist. If you had any negative encounters, please speak up! You can save your money, which literally was paid for some questions she asked. On top of it, she never answered her phone, didn’t schedule appointments, was not upfront with her intentions and almost driven me to the worst depression ever. I’m pretty sure we all have liability lawyers, but this case is close to being unethical, harming the patient. I am not vindictive, but my husband might follow up with AMA. She should not practice medicine. If I can give –5 stars, i would!!!

Courteous, professional, down-​to-​earth, and very knowledgeable. I have known Dr. Watkins as a professional colleague for the past several years and would not hesitate to send a friend or family member to her. Whether it is obtaining the highest quality in psychotherapy or psychopharmacological management (or a combination of both), Dr. Watkins is very astute at delivering both. Dr. Watkins is also extremely approachable and «normal» (believe me-​not always a common quality in psychiatrists!). I have especially always been impressed with how she speaks of her patients in an empathic and non-​judgmental manner and with a true sense of caring. Highly recommended.

Dr. Watkins is a friendly, caring, intelligent psychiatrist who provides excellent care. I have known her for several years and find her to be professional and easy to work with. I would recommend her to any of my family and friends.