Dr. Menaster is accepting new patients for psychotherapy, medication evaluation/management, and forensic evaluations.
2107 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 102A
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 204-2344
Please see the bottom of this page for a map and driving directions.

    Prospective patients sometimes ask about clinicians' practice style. Although each patient is unique, the following generalizations describe Dr. Menaster's approach. In an interactive, compassionate and non-judgmental manner, Dr. Menaster listens, seeks to understand patients and their stresses, needs, and preferences. He develops rapport and establishes a trusting, professional relationship with patients. When possible, diagnoses may apply - not to label or stigmatize patients - but rather to help them understand their condition and guide treatment. He spends the time to educate patients, particularly known causes and factors that likely worsen symptoms. Medications aren't for everyone; when medications might be helpful, Dr. Menaster takes the time to perform a detailed informed consent, discuss treatment options and alternatives, and recommends that patients first give serious deliberation to deciding whether or not to take medications. Throughout this process, he encourages active patient participation.

    He can work independently or in cooperation with other psychotherapists and physicians. With the patient's permission, Dr. Menaster maintains regular contact with significant others and other members of the health care team.  In the forensic setting, he provides impartial evaluations; Dr. Menaster is not affiliated with any medical group, hospital, university, or insurance company and will disclose any known conflicts of interest up front.

    Dr. Menaster has a diverse clinical background. Practice settings in which he has worked include university hospitals, Veterans Affairs hospitals, private hospitals, group and solo practice, family practice, and occupational/industrial medicine. Currently, his scope of practice includes:
   Adults, young adults, and adolescents on an outpatient basis

Anxiety Disorders

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Social phobia

Generalized anxiety disorder

Performance anxiety (especially for entertainers)

Depression

Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD)

Head trauma/traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Men's issues

Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, obesity, and binge eating

Anger management

Bipolar disorder/manic-depressive disorder

Borderline personality disorder

Substance abuse

Asian-American issues

Self-esteem issues

Coping with grief and loss

Dealing with chronic illnesses, including HIV/AIDS

Sexual disorders, including erectile dysfunction (ED), fetishes, and sexual addiction

LGBTQ issues

Second opinions regarding psychotherapy and medications

Psychological testing

Forensic evaluations and reports for third parties, including disability,

conservatorship, personal injury, and immigration

 

EXPERIENCE

Private practice of psychiatry

Medical Consultant, State of California, Disability and Adult Programs Division

Psychiatric Consultant, Equinox Group

Psychiatric Consultant, The Brand Institute

Psychiatric Consultant, Physicians Insight Panel

Professional Reviewer, Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins Publishers

Psychiatric Consultant, The Physicians Advisory Panel

Psychiatric Consultant, The Council of Health Care Providers

Instructor in Psychopharmacology, John F. Kennedy University, Orinda, California, 2001

Clinician, Social Anxiety Disorder Referral Network, University of Wisconsin

Clinician, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Referral Network, University of Wisconsin

Member, Consortium for Improvement in Erectile Functions

 EDUCATION

MD, The Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, Illinois

Psychiatry Residency, LA County-USC Medical Center, Los Angeles

MA, Forensic Psychology, Canyon College, Caldwell, Idaho

Certificate, Professional Program in Neuropsychological Assessment,

University of California Berkeley Extension, 2003

Certification in Eating Disorders, John F. Kennedy University

BS, Chemistry, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles

 PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING CREDENTIALS

MA in forensic psychology, Canyon College

Certificate, Professional Program in Neuropsychological Assessment, UC Berkeley Extension

Fully Credentialed with:

Caldwell Report (MMPI-2)

NCS Pearson Assessment

NFER-Nelson (as a psychiatrist, 10641D)

Psych Screen, Incorporated

Psychological Assessment Resources, Incorporated

University of Minnesota (MMPI-2)

Western Psychological Publishing

 PUBLICATIONS

  Physician Websites, Current Psychiatry, Accepted for Publication, 2009  

  Psychiatric Illness Associated with Criminality, e-Medicine.com, September 2006, revised June 2008

   Review of Precautions with Antidepressant Therapy, e-Medicine.com, Series 2, Issue 2, July 2007

   Dosage Adjustments in Special Populations (traumatic brain injury, HIV/AIDS, and Asian Americans),

            e-Medicine.com, Series 2, Issue 1, June 2007

   Venlafaxine and Cardiac Illnesses, e-Medicine.com, November 2006

   Use of Neuroleptics in Primary Care for the Management of Bipolar Disorder, e-Medicine.com, May 2006

   Sexual Dysfunctions, Weight Gain, and Bupropion, Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, October 2005

   Quetiapine Treatment of Panic Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder ina Patient with Bipolar

         Disorder, Psychiatry 2005, October 2005

Psychological Testing in Psychiatric Practice, Current Psychiatry, August 2005

Use of Olanzapine in Anorexia Nervosa, Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, May 2005, cited in Schatzberg AF, Cole JO, DeBattista C: Manual of Psychopharmacology, 6th Ed., Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 2007, p. 248.

Anorgasmia in Women, e-medicine.com (with continuing medical education credit), September 2004

Anorgasmia in Men, e-medicine.com (with continuing medical education credit), September 2004

Antidepressants and Suicide: What the Data Show, Clinical Psychiatry News, May 2004

Psychometrics: a Valuable Tool, Clinical Psychiatry News, April 2004, cited in Shives LR, Basic Concepts of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, 7th Ed., 2007, Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins, p. 107

The Role of Unmet Expectations, Clinical Psychiatry News, March 2004

Asian-American Mental Health Issues, Asia Pacific: Perspectives, May 2003, cited in Fernandez F, Ruiz P: Psychiatric Aspects of HIV/AIDS, 2006, Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins, p. 240

Treating Physicians, Psychiatric Times, April 2003

Fee Policies: the 'Write' Way To Prevent Payment Disputes, Current Psychiatry, March 2003

Preparing Patients for Life after Bariatric (Obesity) Surgery, Current Psychiatry, January 2003

Risk Management with Electronic Media, 15th Annual US Psychiatric Congress, Las Vegas, Nevada, October 28-29,

             2002

Controversies in Eating Disorders among Men, Psychiatric Times, October 2002

Improving Patient Compliance, Psychiatric Times, September 2002

When 'Informed' Patients Think They Know What's Best for Them, Current Psychiatry, August 2002

What You Don't Know Can Hurt You, SF Weekly, May 8-15, 2002

Reducing Biases, Metro Newspapers, May 2-9, 2002

Our Debt to the Mouse Community, SF Weekly, April 17-23, 2002

Eating Disorders in Men, Out Now Magazine, July 2001

Coping with HIV-related Depression, The Slant, July 2001

Memories of a Memory, Nob Hill Gazette, May 2001

Computer Phobia, Nob Hill Gazette, May 2001

A Return to Normalcy, Out Now Magazine, April 2001

The Stockholm Syndrome Revisited, San Francisco Bay View, August 16, 2000

Panic Disorder, Simi Valley Family Magazine, Spring 1995

 PRESENTATIONS

SSI: Myths and Facts, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), Concord, California, 2006

Anxiety Disorders: An Overview, NAMI, Albany, California, 2005

Why Patients Are Non-Compliant and How to Deal with It, NAMI, Concord, California, 2005

Depression and Its Effect on Medical Professionals, Fremont-Rideout Medical Center, Yuba City, California, 2003

Psychopharmacology for Therapists, John F. Kennedy University, 2001

Depression: Myths and Facts, San Francisco, 2001

Emergency Assessment of Psychiatric Patients, Tom Waddel Clinic, San Francisco, 2001

New Antipsychotic Medications, San Francisco Chapter of NAMI, 2001

Treatment Resistant Depression, St. Francis Memorial Hospital Grand Rounds, San Francisco, 2001

Recognizing and Treating Depression among Asian-Americans, Northeast Medical Clinic, San Francisco, 2001

Psychopharmacology: a Survey Course for Therapists, John F. Kennedy University, 2001

The Treatment of Depression, Thousand Oaks, CA, 1999

New Treatments in Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia, Simi Valley, CA, 1996

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Simi Valley, 1996

The Role of Medications in Treating Depression, Simi Valley, 1995

Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitors and Depression, Northridge, CA, 1995

Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitor Use in Depression, Simi Valley, 1994

Computer Applications in Psychiatry, LA County-USC Medical Center, 1994

Amino Terminal Radioimmunoassay for Human Parathyroid Hormone, North Chicago, 1990

Oriented Polycrystalline Film Growth from Solution for Infrared Studies, USC, 1986

Oriented Polycrystalline Film Growth from Solution for Infrared Studies, CSU Pomona, 1986

Amino-Terminal Radioimmunoassay for Human Parathyroid Hormone, Los Angeles, 1984

MAPS AND DIRECTIONS

Click on either map for a larger view.

Dr. Menaster's office is located 4 doors north of Pacific Avenue, on the northwest corner (on the same side of the street at Happy Donuts and next door to the nail salon)

You will enter the building at the ground level, G

Take the elevator up to the first floor or walk up one short flight of stairs.

His office is across from the elevator and toward your right, in suite 102A.

Dr. Menaster's name is also on his door.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

San Francisco MUN bus and trolley-bus lines:

12 Folsom

19 Polk

47 Van Ness

49 Van Ness/Mission

   For MUNI directions, please click here

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