Dr. Tom Bittker is a board certified general and forensic psychiatrist who has focused his clinical attention on the comprehensive treatment of patients seeking to achieve both relief of emotional distress and find the path to optimal performance.

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An honors graduate of the University of Michigan’s College of Literature Science and Arts and Medical School, Dr Bittker’s training has included a preceptorship at Harvard University, an internship at Oregon Health Sciences, and a residency at Stanford University. He has served two years in West Africa with the U.S Peace Corps where he assisted the government in developing a maternal/child health care delivery system. This experience catalyzed an interest in transcultural medicine and fueled his study of cultural anthropology. While in residency at Stanford, he completed a Master’s Degree in cultural anthropology.

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He is a distinguished life fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a former elite long-distance runner and Master’s swim champion.

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His African experience led him to an early career interest in developing cost-effective and accessible health care delivery systems. He ultimately became the medical director of a health maintenance organization that served 220,000 members in Arizona. He later transitioned to become the State of Arizona’s Director of Mental Health.

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He has published at least 40 articles on issues such as health economics, health professional stress and impairment. In addition he has contributed articles to Runner’s World and authored a book entitled A Guide to Desert Running.

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Twenty years ago he expanded his focus to include forensic psychiatry and has testified as an expert witness in more than 40 cases.

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In recent years he has developed a system of transformational psychotherapy which he believes, when combined with various biological interventions can help motivate patients to move beyond symptom relief to optimal life performance. He has summarized his treatment principles in a book published in 2023 entitled Dragon Slaying: A Primer for Heroic Self-Transformation. The book was recently named an Amazon bestseller.

 

Dr. Bittker has employed a number of research-validated biohacks intended to accelerate healing. Among the most powerful of these is the use of Spravato (esketamine) in an effort to accelerate the treatment of depression, and anxiety,  PTSD and obsessive-compulsive disorders. This latter treatment has demonstrated dramatic improvement in patients whose symptoms have persisted despite treatment the more conventional pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.

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He believes that the most successful treatment emerges from a partnership between patient and physician. Success springs from the energies of both participants in the treatment relationship. Should you be willing to invest your energies on behalf of your own heroic journey, please consult our website secure an initial appointment.