What patients are saying
Overall rating
4.41
Average wait time
4.53
Bedside manner
4.41
“Dr. Okin was very warm, and you get the feeling like you've known him for some time. I was a bit nervous, being my first appointment of this kind, but our first session went really well. Looking forward to future visits! ”
Initials hiddenDecember 19, 2015
About Dr. Robert Okin
Clientele seen
Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Individuals
Identity
Gender
MaleLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Dr. Robert Okin
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Robert L. Okin, MD, was born in the Bronx, New York. He attended college and medical school at the University of Chicago, and after a psychiatric residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, he spent two years at the National Institute of Mental Health, where he became interested in community psychiatry. Early in his career he was appointed Commissioner of Mental Health for the state of Vermont, and then for the state of Massachusetts where he led the development of community based services for people who had previously spent years in public mental hospitals. He was one of the first commissioners to recognize and advocate for the creation of supportive housing for these people.
A leading psychiatrist and internationally known expert on mental health service reform, Dr. Okin is a founding member of the board of advisors of Mental Disability Rights International (MDRI). He served as MDRI’s lead psychiatric expert on technical assistance projects and investigative missions in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.
Following the release of MDRI’s report on Mexico in 2000, Dr. Okin served as an expert consultant to the Mexican government and helped close the abusive Ocaranza psychiatric facility in the state of Hidalgo, replacing it with more homelike settings and community-based services. In Paraguay, Dr. Okin helped MDRI negotiate a historic settlement agreement through the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. As part of the settlement
What is your typical process for working with clients?
People deserve kindness and compassion for their struggles, but it is vital that a therapist resist the temptation to enable and, thereby, perpetuate the patterns that are making their lives miserable in the first place. The reason that most of my patients have seen multiple therapists with no real change in their lives, is often because therapists have been uncomfortable tackling their underlying self-defeating patterns. No one is comfortable having these pointed out and challenged, however gently, but without this, people can’t be expected to make the kind of fundamental changes they need to make to extricate themselves from their unhappiness. I view it as my obligation to help people recognize what is getting in their way, and what drives them to make decisions that are not good for them, especially when their choices are largely out of their awareness. Without helping people face the discomfort inherent in this, they can’t change their approach to their lives and relationships. Yes, this process can be unsettling, and yet most of my patients experience enormous relief in finally understanding and being able to change the patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that have defeated them and extracted a lot of the joy from their lives.
I am a psychiatrist and can and do prescribe medication, but I have found that most medications have side effects and need to be used selectively. I have also found that some medications subtly anesthetize and dull peoples’ access to their feelings, making it more difficult for them to do this kind of work. I want to help people with their symptoms of anxiety and depression, but I also want to help them make more fundamental changes in patterns that create their symptoms in the first place.
I am active in the sessions and defy the stereotype of the passive psychiatrist who expects people to talk for 50 minutes without engaging in a real and genuine conversation.
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In-network insurances
Dr. Robert Okin has 50+ in-network plans.
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It’s common for mental health providers to be out-of-network. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network coverage, so you may get partially reimbursed. Learn more
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $400 for 55 minutes
Ongoing session: $322-400 for 55 minutes
Education and background
Practice names
Board certifications
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
- Psychiatry (Psychiatry and Neurology)
Education and training
- Medical School - University of Chicago, Doctor of Medicine
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Residency in Psychiatry
NPI number
1891863809
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
4.41
Wait time
4.53
Bedside manner
4.41
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
17 reviews
Most relevant
Dr. Okin was very warm, and you get the feeling like you've known him for some time. I was a bit nervous, being my first appointment of this kind, but our first session went really well. Looking forward to future visits!
December 19, 2015Initials hidden
December 5, 2023Todd O.Verified patientVideo visit
March 29, 2023Jesse V.Verified patientVideo visit
January 11, 2023Edward M.Verified patientVideo visit
November 29, 2022Courtney CVerified patientVideo visit
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How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. Robert Okin?
Generally, Dr. Robert Okin has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Okin's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Dr. Robert Okin accepting new patients?
Dr. Robert Okin generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Okin's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Dr. Robert Okin accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Dr. Okin is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Dr. Robert Okin online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Okin using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Dr. Robert Okin work with?
Dr. Robert Okin works with Dr. Robert Okin.
Which board certifications does Dr. Robert Okin have?
Dr. Robert Okin is certified by American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and Psychiatry (Psychiatry and Neurology).
What languages does Dr. Robert Okin speak?
Dr. Robert Okin speaks English.
How do patients rate Dr. Robert Okin in reviews?
17 patients have reviewed Dr. Robert Okin. The overall rating for this doctor is 4.41/5. They have a 4.41/5 rating for bedside manner and a 4.53/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.