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TESTIMONIALS page | Engage Psychiatric, San Francisco and Pasadena

JJ V.

I have struggled to find a solution for my son’s bipolar disorder since he was a young boy. It has been heartbreaking to watch him struggle with drug side effects that were often as bad as the original issues we were trying to treat. It was always a trade-off between the side effects and the actual disorder. My son is a very complex case between his genetics, neuroautoimmune issues and a severe traumatic brain injury.  I have literally been to dozens of practitioners searching for answers. With Cara’s expert advice Grant is finally free of the drug side effects & is feeling balanced and happy.  Cara is a godsend - she is the best of the best! 

Rae F.

Cara is one of the smartest, most innovative, most empathetic, and truly healing medical caregivers I have ever come across. She truly walks the walk, and make the patient feel heard. The medical community should take note of her brand of care. I greatly admire all she have done in her life as an author, teacher, and healer, and all she has brought to mine.  

Brenna C.

Cara is a professional, compassionate, and highly effective practitioner. She worked tirelessly with me to find the right blend and balance of medications, and as a result improved my life considerably. She stands out from many professionals in her field by devoting a large part of her time to reading and incorporating the latest medical research into her practice. This specifically benefitted me with my unique combination of medications, which was tricky and took years to find, and benefits her clients greatly as well. Cara truly helped me turn my life around, and I will be forever grateful to her for her understanding, patience, and skill. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

Julio H.

Extremely knowledgeable, efficient, and kind.

Bridgette B.

I have been seeing Cara for 3 years now. She is caring, compassionate, extremely intelligent and goes the extra mile in accommodating all of my physical, financial, social and psychological needs. She discusses with great detail all expected side effects and benefits of my medications. I know that she is always there for me in times of crisis and bliss.

Tim C.

Outstanding NP and highly recommended. Not only is Cara very knowledgeable, she is passionate about her line of work. Cara consistently asks the right questions and is very prompt with responding to emails and other requests. Cara also provided flexible hours outside of normal business hours (incl. Saturday) for patients that have demanding employers.

Christopher V.

I had the pleasure of meeting with Cara approximately 2 years ago when I moved to the bay area. Cara's welcoming atmosphere and personality put me right at ease and booking my appointment via the website was super easy to accomplish. Cara's knowledge of the medications is second to none and her direct approach reduced any anxieties making it easy for me to speak my mind and feel comfortable. Although only a colleague, I would refer or go to her personally if the need ever arose. Thank you for everything Cara!! 

Amy E.

I've been a patient of Cara's for several years & I've gotten to know her pretty well. She is probably the most caring clinician I've ever known. More importantly though, she's very good at what she does. I also specialize in psychiatry as a pharmacist, so I can tell that she knows what she's doing. Cara stays up-to-date on new therapies while also employing more traditional treatments that still work well. She won't give up until she finds a way to help. She's determined. She also seems to connect well with her patients if they show her the respect that she will undoubtedly give them. I've also never known her to be judgmental of anyone, whether patient or stranger. If I had to choose one thing about her that's made the most impact on me it would be that she treats me as a whole person, not a psych diagnosis. 

Scott J.

Cara is a thoughtful and conscientious professional who is an expert in psychiatric medications. She takes on some of the tougher cases involving trauma as well as patients with complicated histories. She handles a lot of mentally ill patients with non-psychiatric problems, and is fastidious about ordering appropriate lab work. I know patients are in terrific hands when they see Cara, because she takes the time to walk them through non-prescription over-the-counter options as well. She is extraordinary about staying up-to-date regarding pharmacology, which more prescribers should do, as treatments change as the years go by. She regularly presents at conferences on medical topics, particularly medications. 

Andrew W.

Cara Hoepner is the best psychopharmacologist and psychiatric diagnostician I have ever met.  I saw a therapist for months to help resolve new memory problems, low energy, and apparent depression.  The therapist finally referred me to Cara.

When I saw her, Cara surprised me because she recommended lab work instead of doing the  obvious and loading me up with anti-depressants. The labs she did revealed hypothyroidism and other hormonal problems.  Once those were treated by a doctor to whom she referred me, my energy was gradually restored and my memory improved.  She discovered a serious medical problem that masqueraded as a recurrence of depression. No one else had ever been so thorough or detected the problem before.

I can't count the number of psychiatrists who have treated me for panic, anxiety, and depression.  None have been as caring, likable, available, and astute as Cara. I am glad to say that I expect to see her periodically for the rest of my life for depression prevention and anxiety management.

When I see her, I feel as if I am visiting with a friend, albeit an extraordinarily talented one.

Olivia W.

After my first visit with Cara I left feeling elated and with such a profound sense of relief. I've dealt with depression and anxiety for a decade and therapy alone has never been enough, since starting treatment with her my life has improved dramatically.

Cara diagnosed me with ADHD, which was such a turning point with me as it explained so many things which have been a source of extreme shame and self hatred over my life.

She is genuinely empathic, but fiercely practical and solution-focused at the same time. Her knowledge is astounding and it seems like she's on the cutting edge of her field and keeps with all the latest research.

I also really appreciate her holistic approach, as my hesitancy to consider medication in the past was due to a fear of just throwing pills at a problem much larger than neurochemistry. Her whole person model treats causes as well as symptoms and her supplement and behaviour recommendations really complement the overall treatment plan.

Our sessions go so fast! I always leave feeling like I've learned something new and almost wish we could talk longer so I can learn more.

I can't recommend her enough, although I'm fairly low income, investing in my mental health with Cara has been so worth it as mental/physical health is the foundation for everything.

Samantha M.

Although I am very early in my treatment with NP Cara Hoepner, I was incredibly impressed with her wide-scope knowledge and willingness to spend time explaining her methodologies.

Time and time again when I've sought help for depression I'd just been prescribed the newest medication and sent off with the recommendation to see a therapist. This was my unfortunate cycle for 10+ years.

Working with Cara has been eye opening and pleasant because she treats me like a human, not a patient. She is empathetic (not sympathetic! Big difference!) when discussing trauma and again, treats me like an adult. Furthermore, I am highly interested in the science of mind and body and Cara does not hesitate to scientifically explain why certain medications work, why they don't and how all of my symptoms are linked.

I've never been excited to continue treatment, but I can honestly say that in Cara's practice, I am!

Rebecca W.

I came to see Cara last year with really painful anxiety… I am so grateful, because not only did Cara direct me to a specialist for my thyroid and effectively treat my anxiety and insomnia short-term, she also provided education and motivation that was comforting, and hope, because she's treated so many of these patients and seen them do well. And she shared medical papers and explained how the traumas I experienced as a little girl had influenced my immune system. The framework was helpful… Cara's whole-person approach and network of excellent specialists as well as her willingness to collaborate with them really saved me. I am so glad to have had her with me when I was in need, and continue to refer my good friends and coworkers who aren't feeling their best. 

Tanaya P.

I rarely write reviews for medical professionals, as my health is a deeply personal matter to me. However, I feel compelled to share my experience with Cara because it has made such a profound impact on my life.

I had been struggling with overwhelming anxiety that was making it almost impossible for me to leave my condo and go to work. It reached a point where I knew I needed help, and I reached out to Cara. From our very first appointment, I could tell that she was different. She took the time to truly understand what I was going through, conducted thorough testing, and crafted a treatment plan tailored to my needs.

One of the things that sets Cara apart is her dedication to her patients. She didn't rush into prescribing medication but instead took the time to educate me about my condition and the potential treatments. When I decided to go off my medication at one point, she supported me every step of the way and helped me get back on track when it became clear that it was the best option for me.

What truly stands out about Cara is her genuine passion for helping others. She goes above and beyond, always making sure I felt heard and cared for during our appointments. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have found her on my first try. If you are in search of a compassionate and knowledgeable healthcare professional, I couldn't recommend anyone more highly than Cara. She has been a lifeline for me, and I'm deeply grateful for her dedication to her patients' well-being.

B. D.

Cara has been a lifesaver over the last year… Cara has helped me through a year of rehabilitation and insurance bureaucracy -- I'd probably be in rough shape otherwise, and I'm not at 100% yet, but I'm making progress slow and steady… and my physical health feels better than it seemingly should. I just completed a familiar and challenging hike I struggled to finish a few years ago, still wondering "...how??"
I'm feeling confident 2021's going to be a productive year. My heartfelt thanks.

B. D.

Been seeing Cara for a year now for a bad shoulder which I was attributing to anxiety. I'm always impressed with her in-depth knowledge of what medicines work for what conditions, how they interact with other medicines, and what else we might try next. Also like her efficiency with providing information & bills via email, and the ease of her appt scheduling system, for what it's worth!

Sara S.

Cara Hoepner NP is an expert who is not only excellent in what she does but as well passionate about her work.  She is committed to the highest standard of care and has up to date information on current research.  Highly recommended.

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