75/100RP Score
Ranked #1 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.8★ from 76 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Best Psychiatrists in San Rafael, CA (2026)
215 psychiatrists ranked by RP ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Best overall in San Rafael: Mental Health Practitioners, RP Score 75/100; 4.8★ from 76 Google reviews; open Saturdays until 8 PM.
- 9
Most-reviewed: Psychiatric Alternatives & Wellness Center (PAWC), 1,725 Google reviews at 4.9★, the most of 215 ranked; ranked #9.
Rankings can't be bought. Psychologists can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
215 San Rafael psychiatrists are ranked here by RP Score, from eight published factors. 25 open Saturdays and 16 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.5★ across 215 rated practices.
Top 10 psychiatrists in San Rafael at a glance
Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.
| Rank | Business | RP Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mental Health Practitioners | 75 | 4.8★ (76) | San Rafael | Sat · Evenings | Overall |
| 2 | Barshack H Scott MD | 74 | 5.0★ (3) | Larkspur, 3 mi away | — | — |
| 3 | Olson Scott MD | 74 | 4.0★ (4) | Larkspur, 3 mi away | — | — |
| 4 | Steve Balt MD MS | 74 | 3.3★ (3) | San Anselmo, 2 mi away | — | — |
| 5 | JUDITH KEINS, M.D. | 73 | 3.2★ (5) | Larkspur, 3 mi away | — | — |
| 6 | David Scott May, M.D. | 71 | 5.0★ (7) | Mill Valley, 5 mi away | Sat · Evenings | — |
| 7 | Advanced Psychiatry Associates | 70 | 4.6★ (354) | San Rafael | Sat · Sun | — |
| 8 | Comprehensive Psychiatric Services | 70 | 4.6★ (19) | San Rafael | — | — |
| 9 | Psychiatric Alternatives & Wellness Center (PAWC) | 70 | 4.9★ (1,725) | San Francisco, 14 mi away | — | Most reviews |
| 10 | Mindful Health Solutions - San Rafael | 69 | 5.0★ (3) | San Rafael | — | — |
The 215 best psychiatrists in San Rafael, ranked
Ordered by RP Score, a 0–100 score from eight published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.
Based in Larkspur, 3 mi away
74/100RP ScoreRanked #2 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Larkspur, 3 mi away
74/100RP ScoreRanked #3 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.0★ from 4 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in San Anselmo, 2 mi away
74/100RP ScoreRanked #4 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 3.3★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Larkspur, 3 mi away
73/100RP ScoreRanked #5 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 3.2★ from 5 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Mill Valley, 5 mi away
71/100RP ScoreRanked #6 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 7 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Rafael
70/100RP ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.6★ from 354 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Psychotherapist”.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Rafael
70/100RP ScoreRanked #8 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.6★ from 19 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Francisco, 14 mi away
70/100RP ScoreRanked #9 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.9★ from 1,725 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Rafael
69/100RP ScoreRanked #10 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Mill Valley, 6 mi away
69/100RP ScoreRanked #11 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.7★ from 41 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Mill Valley, 5 mi away
69/100RP ScoreRanked #12 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 19 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
#13 Walker Joe a MD
Based in San Francisco, 14 mi away
69/100RP ScoreRanked #13 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 3.8★ from 10 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Albany, 14 mi away
68/100RP ScoreRanked #14 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 3.7★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Walnut Creek, 26 mi away
68/100RP ScoreRanked #15 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.6★ from 420 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Oakland, 18 mi away
68/100RP ScoreRanked #16 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 11 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Novato, 9 mi away
68/100RP ScoreRanked #17 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.9★ from 39 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Francisco, 15 mi away
68/100RP ScoreRanked #18 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.8★ from 546 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Francisco, 14 mi away
68/100RP ScoreRanked #19 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 2.3★ from 7 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
#20 Compton Kaila MD
Based in Berkeley, 16 mi away
67/100RP ScoreRanked #20 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 3.7★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
#21 Olga Segal, MD
Based in Mill Valley, 6 mi away
67/100RP ScoreRanked #21 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.4★ from 16 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Mill Valley, 6 mi away
67/100RP ScoreRanked #22 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 9 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Novato, 9 mi away
67/100RP ScoreRanked #23 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 4.9★ from 18 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Francisco, 14 mi away
67/100RP ScoreRanked #24 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 1.0★ from 6 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Oakland, 21 mi away
67/100RP ScoreRanked #25 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychiatrist”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Psychiatrists ranked #26 to #50
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #50, in RP Score order; each links to its profile. We publish the top 50 of 215 ranked psychiatrists here; the rest are on their profiles.
Also serving San Rafael
20 more psychiatrists within 40 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a specialty we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.
| Business | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Nelson MD | 3.5★ (2) | 6 mi |
| Annette Goldman Mosqueda, PsyD | 5.0★ (2) | 14 mi |
| Cheryl Elmer, Counselor | 5.0★ (2) | 14 mi |
| Dongmei Yue, M.D. | 3.0★ (2) | 15 mi |
| Dr. Sarah L. Stadler, MD | 5.0★ (2) | 16 mi |
| Dr. William Bresnick | 3.0★ (2) | 14 mi |
| Edward Oklan, MD, MPH | 1.0★ (1) | In San Rafael |
| Gateway Psychiatric Services - San Francisco | 5.0★ (2) | 15 mi |
| H. Eric Bender, M.D. | 5.0★ (2) | 17 mi |
| Holos, Holistic Psych Care & Integrative Wellness | 5.0★ (2) | In San Rafael |
| Huff Psychiatry | 5.0★ (2) | 6 mi |
| Irwin Gootnick MD Psychiatrist | In San Rafael | |
| Michael A. Freeman, M.D. | In San Rafael | |
| Nancy A Trahms PC | 5.0★ (2) | 2 mi |
| Newport Academy - Teen & Adolescent Outpatient | In San Rafael | |
| Nicolas Salazar, Psychiatrist | 5.0★ (2) | 14 mi |
| Pepper Sanford MD | 5.0★ (2) | 13 mi |
| Robert Hendren, D.O. | 5.0★ (2) | 15 mi |
| Ronnie Cummings, Psychiatrist | 4.5★ (2) | 14 mi |
| Sarah J. Polfliet, MD | In San Rafael |
How we ranked San Rafael psychiatrists
We scored 215 San Rafael psychiatrists on eight factors, weighted as shown. A practice is ranked when its specialty is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Sponsored businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In San Rafael data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 25% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it | Measured |
| Review volume | 5% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed practice on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 5% | Share of Google reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Availability | 10% | Weekly open hours, Saturday, Sunday, and round-the-clock or same-day availability | Measured |
| Specialty focus | 25% | How clearly the practice does this specialty (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 15% | Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The practice has claimed its Ranked Psychologists profile (free or paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Partnered | 5% | The practice links to Ranked Psychologists from its own website with our badge, checked periodically | Measured |
How to choose a psychiatrist
- Check the license with the state or provincial board that issued it; most boards publish a free online lookup.
- Make sure psychiatry is a regular part of their work, and ask what approach they use and why.
- Ask whether the practice offers therapy as well as medication management, or medication visits only.
- Check whether you need a referral from your family doctor; in Canada a referral is usually required for publicly covered psychiatric care.
- Ask about fees, insurance and the cancellation policy before the first session. In the US, if you are uninsured or paying yourself, you can ask for a good faith estimate of expected charges.
- Check practical fit: in-person or online sessions, evening times, and how soon they have an opening.
- After a few sessions, ask yourself whether you feel heard. Changing to a different provider is common and fine.
Questions to ask a psychiatrist
- Are you accepting new clients, and how soon could I start?
- Which license do you hold, and in which state or province?
- How much of your work is psychiatry?
- Do you offer therapy sessions, or medication management only?
- How soon is the first appointment, and how long are follow-up visits?
- What do you charge per session, and do you take my insurance or provide a superbill?
- Do you offer online sessions?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- What do you keep confidential, and when would you have to share information?
Terms explained
- PhD / PsyD
- Doctoral degrees in psychology. A PhD usually has a stronger research focus, a PsyD a stronger clinical focus; both can lead to a psychologist license.
- Licensed psychologist
- A person licensed by a state or provincial psychology board to practice psychology. The title is protected by law.
- Psychological associate
- In some states and provinces, a master’s-level practitioner licensed or registered by the psychology board, often with supervision requirements.
- LPC / LMHC / LCPC
- US licenses for professional or mental health counselors (the name differs by state). They provide counseling and therapy.
- LCSW
- Licensed clinical social worker: a master’s-level social worker licensed to provide therapy.
- LMFT
- Licensed marriage and family therapist: licensed to treat individuals, couples and families with a focus on relationships.
- RP / RCC
- Registered psychotherapist (Ontario) and registered clinical counsellor (British Columbia): Canadian titles for licensed therapy providers.
- PSYPACT
- An interstate agreement that lets psychologists licensed in a member state provide telepsychology to clients in other member states once they hold the required authorization.
- Telehealth
- Sessions held by secure video or phone instead of in person. The provider generally needs to be licensed where the client is located.
- CBT
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: a structured talk therapy that works on the links between thoughts, feelings and behavior.
- DBT
- Dialectical behavior therapy: a form of CBT that teaches skills for managing intense emotions and relationships.
- ERP
- Exposure and response prevention: a form of CBT used for OCD.
Psychiatrists in San Rafael: frequently asked questions
Who is the best psychiatrist in San Rafael?
By RP Score, the highest-ranked psychiatrist in San Rafael, CA is Mental Health Practitioners with an RP Score of 75/100. It has 4.8★ from 76 Google reviews. It is open Saturdays until 8 PM. Barshack H Scott MD (#2) and Olson Scott MD (#3) follow. We ranked 215 psychiatrists on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many psychiatrists are there in San Rafael?
RankedPsychologists ranks 215 psychiatrists serving San Rafael, CA. 5 of them are based in San Rafael; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 40 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
What should I do if I need help right now?
In crisis or thinking about suicide? Call or text 988 (US and Canada), any time. In an emergency, call 911. This site cannot help in an emergency.
Which psychiatrists in San Rafael work on weekends?
25 of 215 ranked psychiatrists post Saturday hours and 16 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Mental Health Practitioners (#1), David Scott May, M.D. (#6) and Advanced Psychiatry Associates (#7). Posted hours are office hours; many practices also offer evening or online sessions by appointment.
What Google rating do San Rafael psychiatrists have?
The median Google rating among 215 rated psychiatrists in San Rafael is 4.5★, with a median of 10 reviews. Psychiatric Alternatives & Wellness Center (PAWC) has the most, 1,725 reviews, and ranks #9. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does RankedPsychologists rank psychiatrists?
Each psychiatrist gets a 0–100 RP Score from eight published factors, led by reputation (25%), specialty focus (25%), proximity (15%) and availability (10%). A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only practices with a confirmed specialty and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do psychiatrists outside San Rafael count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 40 mi of the San Rafael city center, our service radius for psychiatrists. Each listing shows where the practice is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 15% of the RP Score, so a nearby practice gets a small edge.
Can psychiatrists pay to rank higher on RankedPsychologists?
No. The RP Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured practices may appear above the list, labelled Sponsored and showing their honest rank.
How are psychiatrists in San Rafael ranked?
Each practice gets an RP Score from 0 to 100 from 8 published factors, including its Google rating, how clearly it focuses on psychiatry and how close it is. Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank. The score does not measure treatment outcomes.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who completed a residency in psychiatry and can prescribe medication. A psychologist usually holds a doctorate in psychology (PhD or PsyD), provides therapy and psychological testing, and in most places does not prescribe. Many people see both: a psychiatrist for medication and a psychologist or therapist for talk therapy.
Can I see a psychiatrist online?
Often, yes. Licensing generally follows where you are during the session, so the provider needs to be licensed or authorized there. In the US, psychologists in PSYPACT member states can offer telepsychology to clients in other member states; counselors and social workers have their own rules. In Canada, ask whether the provider is registered in your province.
What if I need help right now?
Do not wait for a consultation. Call or text 988 (US and Canada) if you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, at any time. In an emergency, call 911.
Update log for San Rafael
- November 2026: RP Scores recalculated for 215 psychiatrists serving San Rafael.
- November 2026: 1 duplicate listing merged.
More psychiatrists and San Rafael pages
Psychiatrists near San Rafael
- Psychiatrists in San Anselmo, CA203 ranked
- Psychiatrists in Larkspur, CA235 ranked
- Psychiatrists in Mill Valley, CA245 ranked
- Psychiatrists in Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, CA242 ranked
- Psychiatrists in Novato, CA191 ranked
- Psychiatrists in San Pablo, CA254 ranked
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Other specialties in San Rafael
- Psychologists in San Rafael157 ranked
- Therapists and counselors in San Rafael332 ranked
- Child and teen therapists in San Rafael48 ranked
- Couples therapists in San Rafael178 ranked
- Family therapists in San Rafael114 ranked
- Neuropsychologists in San Rafael16 ranked
- Psychological testing practices in San Rafael5 ranked
- Anxiety and OCD therapists in San Rafael5 ranked
- Trauma and PTSD therapists in San Rafael36 ranked
- Eating disorder therapists in San Rafael22 ranked
- Clinical social workers in San Rafael70 ranked
- Addiction counselors in San Rafael86 ranked
- ABA therapy providers in San Rafael28 ranked
- All psychologists in San Rafael