Survey Response: David Schechter, MD
This survey was last updated in May 2009.
Degrees/Licenses Held: B.S., Princeton, M.D. NYU School of Medicine
License number: on file
Contact Information:
Practice website (below)
For office phone numbers, 310 657 1022 is one.
Website:
Practice Website
TMS website
Research Website
TMS Wiki username (if applicable): davidschechter
Number of years in practice: 20+
Number of years in practice with patients who have TMS: 25
Number of patients you have seen who have had TMS: over 1000
Do you work with other professionals when helping TMS patients? If so, please describe.
I have close relationships with a number of psychotherapists in the LA area and adjacent cities.
How did you first become interested in TMS?
I was a patient of Dr. Sarno when I had chronic knee pain in medical school. I was cured by his lectures and subsequently worked under his supervision to do the first TMS follow-up study.
Have you ever suffered from TMS? (optional)
Yes, I have. That is how I first learned of it. See this page...
What insurance plans do you currently accept? I am a PPO provider for Blue Cross, Shield, United, Aetna, Cigna, Medicare. No HMO's.
Do you have a sliding scale of payment for people who are not covered by insurance?
I have a cash rate that is adjusted for financial hardship.
What steps should TMS clients take before contacting you?
Review my website, read materials on the subject, if possible.
Have you published any materials related to TMS?
The MindBody Workbook, The MindBody AudioProgram, The MindBody Patient Panel and several research and theory articles. See my website and myresearch site.
Special Questions for Physicians
Have you ever trained under Dr. John E. Sarno, or another TMS doctor? If so, please explain.
I was the first physician to train under him, as a medical student. I spent a summer doing research in his suite, seeing patients with him, attending his lectures, etc.
Other than training with a TMS doctor, what have you done to educate yourself about TMS, and what plans do you have for further education about TMS?
I was the Principal Investigator for a research effort supported by a grant on TMS, for four years, 2003-07.
How would you characterize your position on referring for spinal surgery?
Rarely needed, last resort, over done.
Do you feel comfortable referring people to Dr. Sarno's books?
They are a primary reference source for material on chronic pain, TMS, etc.
As we are going to post your answers on the TMS Wiki, feel free to write some text to introduce yourself:
BIO to follow.
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