What patients are saying
Overall rating
4.89
Average wait time
4.98
Bedside manner
4.92
“I would recommend Dr. Brendel to anyone! He is a great listener and also provides thoughtful directed advice. After listening to my situation and symptoms, he revised the medications I had been on for years and made that made the biggest improvement in my life.”
Helen A.January 7, 2026Video visit
“Dr. Brendel is fantastic. He is great at quickly helping me gain awareness of root cause of an issue even if it’s different than my preconceived narrative. As an adult with ADHD Dr. Brendel has been aware of the challenges that ADHD poses beyond work. Many clinicians unfortunately don’t go beyond “get a planner” mentality of ADHD and ignore the rejection sensitivity, rumination and emotional disregulation that also comes with ADHD.
Is prescribing medication, I have never seen a Dr. as responsive to refill requests as Dr. Brendel. I have always felt safe with the way he prescribes medication and he has worked with me to make sure that I am getting the most benefit from medication with least side effects.”
Christopher B.November 30, 2025Video visit
About Dr. David Brendel
Focus areas
Anxiety
Depression
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Medication Review
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Psychiatry Consultation
Clientele seen
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Adults (25-64)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment approaches
Coaching
Humanistic
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Integrative
Existential
Psychodynamic
Identity
Gender
MaleEthnicity
White
Languages spoken
English
Getting to know Dr. David Brendel
***Please keep in mind Dr. Brendel is out of network.***
** Please expect a call from the office after making an appointment **
** The appointment will not be confirmed until the practice speaks with you directly **
My practice welcomes adults with a wide range of personal issues, including depression, mood swings, anxiety, relationship issues, attention deficits, sleep problems, disordered eating, and substance abuse. If you choose to work with me, I will conduct a thorough initial evaluation, establish a diagnosis, and make treatment recommendations. Depending on your individual situation, I may suggest psychotherapy and/or medication treatment with me or another clinician. My patients come from the Greater Boston area, throughout the United States, and around the world. I trained at Harvard Medical School and am the author of Healing Psychiatry: Bridging the Science/Humanism Divide (published by the MIT Press).
During the COVID-19 situation, my practice remains fully active and all sessions take place via secure web-based video conference. Information about accessing the video conference will be provided after you schedule and confirm an appointment.
What should a new client know about working with you?
From so many patients and family members who are frightened and confused about mental illness, I often hear the question about where to get started with seeking help. My years of clinical practice have made it clear to me that establishing a close and trusting alliance with a well-trained, highly experienced psychiatrist is exactly where. A psychiatrist (who is trained as a medical doctor and specializes in mental health issues) has the knowledge and experience required for the difficult task of diagnosing mental illness, recommending treatment options (including medications), and coordinating a team of professionals to assist in diagnosis and treatment.
Much of my professional practice has been devoted to performing evaluations and consultations for patients and their loved ones who are just getting started in the process of finding appropriate mental health care. In some cases I meet with patients on a short-term basis to establish a diagnosis, suggest an initial treatment plan, and provide referrals to other clinicians. In other cases I form long-term treatment relationships with patients that focus on managing illness, promoting wellness, and reaching the goal of optimal functioning.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
With a very broad range of clinical and academic experience as a psychiatrist for more than two decades, I focus primarily on diagnosing and treating patients with complex cases. After doing a thorough assessment, I describe in detail a wide range of treatment options that might include medication and psychotherapy. Particular emphasis is placed on sleep hygiene, exercise, nutrition, and healthy management of one's living situation, education, and career development. I frequently consult with families and other physicians about challenging cases. Most of my patients are from the Boston area, but I also see patients from around the U.S. and the world who come to receive health care that they can't access locally. My practice adheres to the highest standards of privacy, confidentiality, and discretion.
Dr. David Brendel is not in-network with any insurances
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: $1050 for 60 minutes
Ongoing session: $475 for 30 minutes
More information on payments and coverage
After receiving payment at the time of the appointment, I can immediately provide a detailed receipt with relevant insurance codes. You can then submit the receipt on your own to your insurance company for potential reimbursement of some or all of the professional fee.
Office location
Dr. David Brendel, MD, PhD also offers online video visits for patients
Education and background
Practice names
Hospital affiliations
- Walden Behavioral Care
Board certifications
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
- Psychiatry (Psychiatry and Neurology)
Education and training
- Medical School - Harvard University, Doctor of Medicine
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Residency in Psychiatry
- University of Chicago, PhD in Philosophy
- Yale University (Bachelor’s)
- McLean Hospital, Residency in Adult Psychiatry
Professional memberships
- American Medical Association
Awards and publications
- Healing Psychiatry: Bridging the Science/Humanism Divide (MIT Press)
- Think Talk Create: Building Workplaces Fit for Humans (Hachette/Public Affairs)
NPI number
1609834548
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
4.89
Wait time
4.98
Bedside manner
4.92
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
753 reviews
Most relevant
Dr Brendel is patient and very helpful highly recommended to other schizophrenic patients
January 12, 2026Eswar K.Verified patientVideo visit
Great communicator, understood my situation and my needs, did a great job in helping me, would reccommend him to anyone
August 29, 2024Kent P.Verified patientVideo visit
Dr. Brendel is a patient, understanding and supportive provider. Thank you!
February 3, 2026Merissa L.Verified patientVideo visit
Dr Brendel is very patient and helpful, highly recommended him
January 23, 2026Eswar K.Verified patientVideo visit
V personable, listens well, felt understood, competent, assuring that he seems to confident in his work
May 29, 2024Hannah W.Verified patientVideo visit
Dr. Brendel was great. He was very thorough throughout our meeting, yet he was very down to earth with treatment options.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
Dr. Brendel has a rare breadth of knowledge and carefully evaluates his patients to determine treatment and medications.
September 7, 2017Initials hidden
Dr. Brendel has been excellent, five stars all around. I greatly appreciate all of his help!
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
Very personable and a good listener. Not what you would expect from a regular psychiatrist. Glad to have found him!
May 16, 2018Initials hidden
Experienced, knowledgeable, thoughtful, kind, highly-skilled doctor and therapist.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
I have faith he can fix the mess with my meds that I came to him with. Very good first impression. Really nice guy.
March 16, 2015Initials hidden
Excellent patient care. He quickly understood my condition and how to treat it moving forward.
June 20, 2024Carlos G.Verified patientVideo visit
Dr. Brendel was able to see me via teleconference which was very convenient and I appreciated his flexibility.
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Attentive and compassionate. Took note of all considerations. Very luck to have had the chance to meet with him.
February 27, 2016Initials hidden
He was an enormous help to me. Personable, skillful, a fine listener, a thoughtful guy. I highly recommend him.
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Excellent questions to bring out issues in a comfortable manner, and immediate plan to start dealing with them.
January 26, 2016Initials hidden
Excellent Doctor! We loved him! Thank You for making us feel much better! I highly recommend to everybody!
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
A phenomenal doctor. Attentive, thoughtful, and supportive. One of the best psychiatrists I have seen.
June 13, 2016Initials hidden
Great person- is conscientious and appreciative of another's value in all our conversations
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
Great provider, easy to confide in. I would recommend without hesitation
November 20, 2024Carlos G.Verified patientVideo visit
Extremely thorough easy to talk to. Made me confident that we can work together and make progress.
January 9, 2016Initials hidden
Excellent first visit! He is very caring and kind. A very good listener and gave great feedback,
January 8, 2015Initials hidden
Is you brain worth it? I believe it is. Sign up with Dr. Brendel and get your mind right.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
Dr. Brendel is great. It is not easy to find a good psychiatrist. He is one if of them.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
My experience with Dr. Brendel since last late August of 2022 has been very good.
March 5, 2023Katie B.Verified patientVideo visit
Fantastic doctor, very personable
Listens very well and is accepting of concerns
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
Dr. Brendel is a great doctor, great listener and and an overall great human being.
September 21, 2021Daniel V.Verified patientVideo visit
He is very professional and attentive, very flexible and responsive. Excellent Doctor
June 9, 2015Initials hidden
Great Doctor, great communication, 10/10 would recommend!!!
September 15, 2024Dylan G.Verified patientVideo visit
He was able to identify what was wrong with my medications and make proper changes
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
He was perfect for me and was very pleased with the outcome.
Thank you
July 15, 2023Ronald M.Verified patientVideo visit
Doctor Brendel was super helpful, knowledgeable, and passionate about his craft.
October 16, 2019Jeff S.Verified patient
very smart
great communicator
lot of heart
I love him
September 1, 2024Thomas N.Verified patientVideo visit
I could not live with out Dr. Brendel. He has saved my life more than once.
More than 1 year agoDD
I hopeful for the first time in a long time. His expertise is worth it.
September 26, 2020Initials hiddenVideo visit
Overall positive experience. A good, thoughtful and thorough clinician
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
I've seen Dr Brendel for about a year and would highly recommend him.
February 10, 2021Bret H.Verified patientVideo visit
Extremely kind, great communicator, totally professional.
July 23, 2023Kent P.Verified patientVideo visit
I loved his experience & expertise. Worthy of applause & many thanks.
September 15, 2017Initials hidden
Dr. Brendel is very friendly, approachable, and highly professional.
June 10, 2017Lindsey D.Verified patient
Excellent! Makes you feel comfortable, relaxed and easy to talk to
July 11, 2018Initials hidden
Great guy and highly skilled physician. Highly recommend!
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
So intelligent, witty and personable. He was just great!
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Great listener, really wish he'd of told me to shut up
September 13, 2017Initials hidden
Dr Brendel was professional, prompt, and very helpful.
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Overall Excellant!!
March 24, 2026Initials hiddenVideo visit
Terrific doctor and person.
Less than 3 months agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
I would recommend Dr. Brendel to anyone! He is a great listener and also provides thoughtful directed advice. After listening to my situation and symptoms, he revised the medications I had been on for years and made that made the biggest improvement in my life.
January 7, 2026Helen A.Verified patientVideo visit
Dr. Brendel is fantastic. He is great at quickly helping me gain awareness of root cause of an issue even if it’s different than my preconceived narrative. As an adult with ADHD Dr. Brendel has been aware of the challenges that ADHD poses beyond work. Many clinicians unfortunately don’t go beyond “get a planner” mentality of ADHD and ignore the rejection sensitivity, rumination and emotional disregulation that also comes with ADHD.
Is prescribing medication, I have never seen a Dr. as responsive to refill requests as Dr. Brendel. I have always felt safe with the way he prescribes medication and he has worked with me to make sure that I am getting the most benefit from medication with least side effects.
November 30, 2025Christopher B.Verified patientVideo visit
Excellent psychiatrist and therapist. Expert in medical issues and psychopharmacology; skilled therapist, and very good, strong use of psychological techniques as part of treatment. Smart, wise, kind.
Less than 6 months agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
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How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. David Brendel?
Generally, Dr. David Brendel has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Brendel's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Dr. David Brendel accepting new patients?
Dr. David Brendel generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Brendel's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Dr. David Brendel accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Dr. Brendel is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Dr. David Brendel online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Brendel using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
Which hospital is Dr. David Brendel affiliated with?
Dr. David Brendel is affiliated with Walden Behavioral Care.
What practice does Dr. David Brendel work with?
Dr. David Brendel works with David Brendel, MD, PhD.
Where is Dr. David Brendel's office located?
Dr. David Brendel has 2 office locations in Belmont, view full addresses on Dr. Brendel's profile.
Which board certifications does Dr. David Brendel have?
Dr. David Brendel is certified by American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and Psychiatry (Psychiatry and Neurology).
What are common reasons for patients to see Dr. David Brendel?
Dr. David Brendel frequently sees patients for Depression, Psychiatry Consultation, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Dr. David Brendel on their profile.
What languages does Dr. David Brendel speak?
Dr. David Brendel speaks English.
How do patients rate Dr. David Brendel in reviews?
753 patients have reviewed Dr. David Brendel. The overall rating for this doctor is 4.89/5. They have a 4.92/5 rating for bedside manner and a 4.98/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.