Michael Lara, M.D.

Dr. Lara is the best doctor out there! He always listens and always wants to help his patients. He’s kind, understanding, and most of all passionate about what he does. I can tell that he always wants to help his patients in any way possible. Not to mention he’s probably the smartest person I have ever came across. Dr. Lara is the best doctor out there and has helped me so much in my life! I’m very grateful to have him in my life!

My husband and I attended Dr Lara’s presentation in Pismo Beach. We found Dr Lara to be very up to date on organic health care. He gave us tangible ways to age gracefully. My husband is very skeptical and he has not put down Dr Lara’s handout from the presentation. We are drinking Dr Lara’s magical coffee drink with our 100% cocao and coconut oil daily. If you want a highly educated Dr to help you get healthy without drugs, Dr Lara is who you want to see. If you want to rely on drugs and not take responsibility for your health, you probably should see another Dr.

Dee C. and Jennell L. COMPLETELY nailed it on the head. This was my EXACT experience after going to Dr. Lara for 6 years. I don’t know why I stayed so long. It’s such a hassle to find another doctor and I was busy and needed the meds. I felt that he could care less about me and was just in it for the money. Some of my visits lasted for (I’m serious) 5 minutes and I was charged $ 195!!! I happened to look at his website one day and found that I had been overcharged for years. He was charging me for «psychotherapy and psychopharmacology services.» I was getting ZERO psychotherapy and I felt taken advantage of. When I brought this to their attention (which they denied), they immediately changed the fees on their website. I would NOT recommend Dr. Lara.

I called in june and they said i had to fax an application. i faxed this survey thing to them but didn’t hear back. called and the promised to return the call the same day. never happened. maybe they lost my medical records.
i have been looking for an MD with old world values. someone who can get to know me instead of take a number. it’s just conjecture but i suspect that Lara, with his pedigree etc is one of those doctors i’ve seen who is so tied to big pharma (pharma phrat boy) that the appointment is more about product delivery and number of units prescribed than patient care.
four phone calls, one fax. totally ignored.

Great doctor, listens, you work together on a plan towards better health.
generous and kind and always available in emergency!

Dr. Lara is the best thing that has happened to me in years! When I first went to him, I was dealing with crippling depression and anxiety. My internist at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation would prescribe anything I wanted, but he clearly had no knowledge of medications. Enter Dr. Lara, who was able to patiently work with me until I felt normal again. Unlike a reviewer below, I feel as though Dr. Lara actually listens to what I say, as opposed to pretty much every other doctor I’ve ever had. He doesn’t push medications; as a matter of fact, he tries to keep me on the lowest possible effective dosage!
When I had no health insurance for over a year (!!!), he worked with me to help me obtain my medications at a reasonable price. His wife, May, works at the clinic and is very sweet and understanding… I love this place!
Additionally, both Dr. Lara AND May have contacted me during their off hours to give me news about lab results of blood tests I’ve done recently. I honestly think that they are caring, as well as willing to help you in any way possible.

Dr. Lara has been a great help to me. I was always scared to see a therapist. To let my guard down and tell all. But with Dr. Lara, he makes me feel completely at ease.
I went through a pretty huge breakdown and saw him the Friday after the ordeal and he did not judge me. He was just compassionate and help me figure out what I went through and why I was going through it. Basically, it was just a catalyst I needed to get through before I could do good for myself.
I highly recommend Dr. Lara for anything you may need when feeling unsure of yourself or just need to re-​prioritize your mind.
I visit him when he’s in San Jose (every Fridays) and I love the fact that he works with his wife.
Verdict: Winnar, highly recommend

I was not impressed. I felt like I was a paycheck. Although it is true, the client should not feel like that.
I made a new appointment because after several appointments changing the dosage of a medication I wanted to try something else.
Dr Lara wanted to up the dosage one more time. I said I would rather switch meds. He said just try it and if you do not like the new dosage after a week call me and I’ll give you something else.
So as I thought I did not like it and I called him for something else. Every time I called him I got the voice mail or his wife. He called me back and left a message for me to make an appointment (which means shelling out another 165 USD) to get on a new med. Hey isn’t that what the last appt was about.
I was trying to get him on the phone rather than voice mails back and forth. I work full time and go to school full time. I had a 4 hours window on a Tues and he promised he would call. He never did. I called him yet again and never heard from him.
I don’t remember all the details but I felt that he was flaky in getting back to me. I also felt like I was a $ sign in his eyes. And lastly when we would meet he didn’t take notes and from week to week I had to repeat myself.
I was not impressed at all.