General psychiatrist, Board Certified

Walnut Creek

✅ Accepting New Patients

💼 25 Years Experience

⭐ Highly Recommended

🕰️ Excellent Wait Time

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Getting to know Deepak Rao, M.D.

A graduate of Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, India. He received his Psychiatric Residency training and fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry at St. Vincents Hospital, New York.

Focus Areas

Bipolar Disorder
Schizophrenia
Life Transitions

Anxiety
Depression
Mood Swings

Self-Esteem Issues

Clientele

People with chronic illness

Geriatric

Adults

Treatment Approaches

Geriatric Psychiatry: Focuses on the mental health of older adults.

Identity

Gender

Male

Languages

English

Insurance Providers

UMR
PHCS MultiPlan
Medicare
Carelon Health
VHP

ComPsych
Kaiser Permanente
Aetna
Cigna

BlueCross BlueShield
Magellan Health
TriWest
MHN

5.0

I was initially unsure of Dr. Atallah but he has proven himself to be a caring, considerate doctor that really goes the extra mile. He researches my spectrum of medical conditions and regularly suggests tweaks to improve the efficacy and safety of my Rx regimen. He’s very on top of messaging and medication requests. I feel heard with him and my care is collaborative.My initial reservations surrounded his very thorough, beyond the book onboarding procedures. It was a barrier to care while I was in acute need but I recognize the need to mitigate liability and confirm health status. If you’re in dire need of care he might not be the best choice because of the time needed for his onboarding procedures but if you’re stable I highly recommend.

5.0

Dr. Rao is friendly, knowledgeable, and easy to talk to. He takes the time to ask questions and listens attentively. For the first time in ten years of seeing my previous psychiatrist, my experience did not feel rushed. I felt delighted after our Zoom appointment and was genuinely impressed.

FAQs

1. What is your approach to working with patients?

I will make a thorough evaluation before considering the modality of treatment which is appropriate. I believe that a diagnosis is only there to guide you and am very careful that it isn't used too rigidly as too often, that can lead to patients being labeled and not getting the treatment they need. I will listen to the patient's viewpoints and will offer my own and hope that we can come to the right decision together rather than me imposing it on them.

2. How do you integrate medication management?

I believe medication management is an essential part of treatment and also realize that I am often being consulted as a last resort. However, I am very careful to only prescribe when I feel it is absolutely necessary and will also try and taper off medications as soon as possible. I will always emphasize that medications are only one aspect of treatment and will encourage patients to pursue the other modalities.

3. What types of concerns do you specialize in treating?

I have extensive experience in treating areas such as mood disorders, anxiety issues, psychotic symptoms as well as cognitive related disorders among other conditions.

4. What's something you want your patients to know about you?

I will always make an effort to listen to your concerns about the treatment and will try and alleviate those concerns as much as possible. Any recommendations I make will be because I am trying to help you and I have an open mind when the treatment isn't effective enough and will make changes accordingly.

5. What do you believe is the most important part of the healing process?

Mutual respect.