Van Houten, Mark S, MD - Neurological Consultants

I recently had my first appt with Dr. Van Houten. He is an excellent listener and took a good deal of time to explain everything during the exam. Although, we can't figure out what's going on with my bad arms, he was not dismissive. In reading the other reviews, I can't believe we saw the same doctor. I've never written an online review before but feel strongly that someone should come to his defense. I would not hesitate recommending anyone to see him. He's knowledgable, thorough, and understanding. I have never had a doctor spend so much time with me before who really wanted me to understand what was going on and put my mind at ease. Pros: Everything about my experience Cons: None, Zero, Zip more

Office staff not especially friendly. Operation seems to run on speed; assembly line feeling definitely present. I was presented immediately with the question of why my doctor would refer me to him in the first place, as ""neurologists see people with serious diseases"" as he put it. First of all, shouldn't neurologists be the ones to determine whether or not you HAVE a neurological condition? He acted as if I didn't deserve to be there since I didn't walk in with one that was blindingly obvious. He predetermined what he expected me to have, ran me through the basic battery of neuro tests in less than five minutes and then told me I probably had a ""serotonin disorder"" that was making me THINK I had something wrong, and then dismissed all the obvious and visible problems I had as ""microscopic"" and nothing to be concerned about. The person who wrote about being told to see a psychiatrist is right on the money. He decided what he thought I had, tested me quickly and superficially to ""confirm"" it, and then handed me a flyer from a large pad he had on his desk that just happened to describe the ""new thinking on these issues"" as being a serotonin disorder. He then told me to go back to my doctor, and if the doctor didn't like it he could get me a second opinion. He was extremely arrogant about it, like he was daring me to do it. I go for a neuro consult and I get a psychiatric ""diagnosis"" with no testing or prescriptions beyond five minutes of talking and five minutes of basic tests. Apparently, he's willing to ""treat"" you if you show up already obviously debilitated; if you expect to be evaluated to determine WHETHER you have a problem or not, see somebody else. Pros: short wait time Cons: short wait time because he rushes people through like herding sheep more

Dr. Van Houton was very thorough when explaining his choices in nerve testing and his diagnosis of my condition. He is very friendly. I never felt rushed while in his office. Pros: Good communicator when in the office. Cons: No email or web presence. Tough to get on the phone. more

My experience with Dr. Van Houten was fine in the begining, but the past three times I felt as if he wanted me to hurry up the time did not even listen to my health complaints. I tried getting on the phone with with to tell him about other health issues I have been having and even a car accident where I had a head contussion and lower back damage, instead he told his medical assistant that I should contact a local psychiatrist without even giving an explanation or givine another referral. It is very unproffessional not to talk to your patients....I guess sometimes money or other motives are more imporaant than the oath once taken to become a physian....I would not recommend his expertise....unless you like unprofessonalism. Cons: NOT PROFFESIONAL more