Holistic Family Medicine

I’ve been a happy patient of Dr. Dickey’s for 4+ years. I no longer live in Austin, but I’m still his patient because I haven’t found a local doc that provides Dr. Dickey’s thorough, thoughtful care. A typical appointment can last up to an hour, depending on what issues you’re there for and the doc never makes you feel rushed (as did every other Dr. I’ve ever been to). The office is homey, tidy and has a relaxing vibe. The doc and Hazel have helped me with health issues that occurred outside their office hours and when I was traveling abroad.
I find it hilarious that some reviewers were put off by Dr. Dickey’s laid back demeanor and casual clothes because he’s the prototypical Austin guy in shorts, flip flops and a guayabera – which I find quite refreshing after a lifetime of seeing patriarchal weirdo docs in white coats and bad «business casual.» Despite his casualness, he’s a no-​nonsense physician who cares about his patients and stays abreast of medical science in both the world of Western and holistic medicine.

I am a huge proponent of non-​insurance driven medical practices, and have had great experiences with other independent doctors, and seek out these types of practices solely for my healthcare. My dentist has a fee-​for-​service practice and I love the professional care given that isn’t dictated by what the insurance companies say. I searched for a family doctor of this type for awhile, and read all the great reviews for Dr. Dickey on Unilocal.I was excited to finally find a great fee-​for-​service doctor.
Dr. Dickey was anything but great. I came for an initial appointment about a year ago, and I found his flip flops, rumpled tee shirt, shorts, fresh-​out-​of-​bed (i.e. smelly), unwashed hair look unprofessional, but was willing to overlook it because, hey, it’s Austin.
Unfortunately, his unprofessionalism carried over into our appointment, where he actually used the term «balls deep» in our discussion. When I asked about hormonal support for boosting energy, he said that the only reason a woman would need HRT, would be to improve her looks, so she could compete with younger women for the attention of men. I was baffled.
The room where you are asked to change for the appointment, has transparent glass doors that open to his office. I thought, «No big deal, he will leave, then I can change.» But, he didn’t. He just sat at his desk while I’m looking at him through the glass doors, wondering if he expects me to change right in front of him. I finally moved some things around and huddled into a corner where I *hoped* he couldn’t see.
I felt uncomfortable, belittled, offended, and then angry when I left. This guy may offer fee-​for-​service medical exams, but he’s a total jerk.
I couldn’t recommend him to anyone, and I’m wondering how Unilocal could’ve led me so very far off base. This man is unprofessional, rude, and downright creepy. Stay away… stay very far away.

I spent an hour with him while he typed non-​sense on his laptop, answering questions that I didn’t ask nor want the answer to. At the end of my hour, he gave me a two page questionnaire to take home and fill out. Once I compete this questionnaire, I can go back for another visit so he can reveal what my issues are… What? Shouldn’t we have done this during my hour that I just spent in his office that cost me $ 240?
His big sales pitch is that you can call him at any time for any questions. I just spent an hour with him and walked away with a questionnaire that I should complete and bring back to him so I can spend another $ 240. Yes, his wife made me a cup of tea. She told me stories with her Scottish accent. She talked my ear off when I really needed to get out of there.
This guy is a quack.
Not sure who is giving him all these great reviews, but I would not waste my time and money with him.
Seriously a quack.

I didn’t realize how good a family practice can be until I found out that my wife’s health insurance had lapsed. She had some acute kidney pain, and needed to see a doc immediately. Starting to panic, I found Holistic Family Medicine on Unilocal.This visit was undoubtedly the most pleasant hospital experience I’ve ever had!
Dr. Dickey and Hazel are just very good and happy people, and this vibe gets passed on to their patients as well. I paid less than I would have with insurance, and got amazing service. Hazel was so nice to even print out directions to the cheapest pharmacy in the city, all while juggling with numerous activities at the front desk.
Getting sucked into the system, some of us don’t realize that there is a really pleasant world in health care out there, where you don’t have to share sensitive, personal information with the government, while geting ripped off.
More businesses like Holistic Family Medicine is truly what our society needs!

Wonderful warm and personal service. This office treats me as family. Dr. Dickey also tries to advise in favor or over the counter medicine instead of higher priced prescriptions.
Been seeing him for more than three years with digestion problems that affect my sleep and I think he has helped ease the problem.
I recommend this doctor as a human being who cares about whom he sees.

Dr. Dickey offers a great approach to health and wellness.
He combines alternative and traditional treatments (when necessary) and he doesn’t over complicate things as many doctors do.
My only «negative» remark, and it isn’t a big issue at all, is he is very busy because he is so good.
As a health care professional myself, he is someone I would highly recommend.

I have good insurance and Medicare but choose to go to Dr. Dickey because he has always solved my problems, not the case with any other Dr. in Austin.
I’ve been out of town an needed a prescription and he has come through for me.
He Listens!
Hazel is a dear!

I never have felt completely comfortable jumping up on a table and putting my feet in stirrups until I met Dr. Dickey. On my last visit, he greeted me warmly wearing cargo shorts and a Hawaiian print shirt. That’s the way to put a girl at ease, treat her like she’s attending a luau.
Hazel, Dr. D’s precious wife, never fails to offer me a comforting cup of tea. Sipping tea while listening to Hazel tell stories in her native Scottish accent; waiting for her husband to check out certain body parts, well, you get the picture… it’s like family.
Dr. Dickey is compassionate, direct, open and spends quality time with each of his patients. He can multi-​task, too! He holds an in-​depth conversation with a patient while typing his recommendations on his laptop so that each patient receives a written «plan of action».
Dr. D is board certified in Family Practice medicine but has also studied alternative medicine and has been greatly influenced by Dr. Andrew Weil. Good health through diet modifications, exercise and a healthy lifestyle are cornerstones of his practice.

After a few years of «issues» I thought I had IBS, but as it turns out, my only need was some digestive enzymes, and I was able to find all of this out without any type of expensive invasive testing thanks to Dr. Dickey. In one visit and an at home lab test I am now fine and can eat anything.
Also go see him for the pure enjoyment of hearing Hazel’s stories and listening to her Scottish accent.

I’ve spent 11 years and countless time, energy and money trying to find a doctor to work with me on some of my health concerns. I finally got so tired of the «God Complex» that most doctors have, I quit going to doctors all together.
However, due to some worsening hormone and thyroid issues, I knew I had to find somewhere. Several months of internet research led me to Dr. Dickey.
First cool thing? He actually answered the phone when I called. WHAT!!!
Second cool thing? The place is in an old house downtown that feels… well… Austin-​ish, cool, laid back, awesome.
Third cool thing? His wife, Hazel, runs the front office. Such a lovely lady… from Scotland. Just a cool vibe immediately from Hazel. She brought me tea, God bless her… maybe the best medicine of all!
Fourth cool thing? Doc is dressed in shorts and a casual shirt. Great laid back vibe about him, too, and just so personable and down to earth.
Fifth cool thing? He spent over an hour with me, was respectful and interested in MY opinion on things (!!!) and was flexible on testing vs. symptoms. Wow!
Honestly, there were about a gazillion cool things about going there, so I can’t list them all. I felt validated and respected and connected, that’s a first at a doctors office.
Wonderful place. Oh, yeah… the best cool thing? About $ 1500 less than those «anti-​aging» places that treat the same stuff as Dr. Dickey.
If you’ve got a medical issue, run don’t walk, to see Dr. Dickey. He even takes phone calls and emails himself… crazy!
Best first experience EVER with a doctor.

Dr. Dickey is, in my opinion, what a doctor should be… personable, thorough and completely available. I took my three children to him and he made us feel totally comfortable. My son, who is usually scared of doctors, even asked when we could go back! I am so thankful doctors like him still exist.

The rest of the industry should take a note from Dr. Dickey and his practice. He has an M.D. so he can prescribe Western medication if necessary, but prefers to treat illness from a holistic/​whole body perspective. Everything that he has suggest to me in the past year has worked! 5 HTP, diet, exercise, and less alcohol intake for my Atypical Depression, going gluten-​free to help with IBS symptoms, using Neosporin for spider bites and acne, and even Oil of Mercy for husband’s cold sores (NOTHING ELSE WORKED — even prescriptions!), and to top it all off you can call him at any time of the day. Even if it’s not an emergency, you can get accurate medical assistance. If you visit the office, the visit is not covered by insurance, but I have only seen him TWICE in the past year — that’s it. The rest of the time I simply called his office, described the problem, and he gave me a solution. In the end, I SAVED money because I’m not paying for a bunch of useless drugs and office visits! Western medicine does have its place (emergencies, surgery, or terrible infections), but holistic medicine is a good place to start. I highly recommend Dr. Dickey as your general physician.

Still have to say that Dr. Dickey is doing an amazing job as my doc. He’s always been available to talk to me by phone if I’ve had a health issue (not just an emergency). I like the fact that he doesn’t allow drug sales reps in his office — his practice isn’t centered around selling meds but trying to find a solution that may not need the expense and side effects of them.

Dr. Dickey is aaaa… mazing. After going through years of pain, I didn’t expect he would be able to pinpoint and fix the cause of my illness in under an hour, but he proved me wrong. For several months preceding my visit, I was only able to eat a couple spoonfulls of anything before I felt violently ill… after my visit, I celebrated by eating to my heart’s content at Chuy’s. Yum.
This is a doctor who is extremely intelligent and caring. Your money is well spent here.
P.S… If you do wind up visiting you’ll meet Hazel, who (wo)mans the front desk. Unless you have something against hilarious and adorable Scottish women, you will love her.

Dr. Dickey and his staff are as good as it gets. He combines a solid medical background with vitamins/​supplements and acknowledges all medical issues, not just the ones insurance companies tell him to. Environmental toxins, adrenal stress, hormone imbalance, etc are all considered.
For years I have M.D.s tell me that adrenals are not «a science,» code for they can not make $$. Dr. Dickey ordered the proper tests, diagnosed a cortisol imbalance, prescribed a treatment that took into account my overall health and I am now on the road to recovery.
His office is very homey, he gives you his home phone number and is available ²⁴⁄₇! Everyone is very friendly and you are not treated like a number in the waiting room.
He is out of network, but health is important and I have saved money in the long run by finally getting a doctor who not only cares but knows how to treat the human, not the symptom.