Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring, MD

I was initially a patient of Dr. Marissa Witt-Doerring and later Dr. Josef. I also received support from taper coach Trudy. I recommend all of them. I decided to taper when I realized that the mirtazapine I was taking was harming my health. I approached my primary care doctor first since she was the prescriber. She had me stop much too quickly and I became severely ill from withdrawal. Luckily, that's when I found the Witt-Doerrings' practice. They helped me stabilize on a reinstatement dose, then redid the taper at a slower pace. When I finished mirtazapine, I tapered bupropion. I'm now off antidepressants for the first time in years, and my health is improving. I've lost 20 pounds, I’m sleeping better, and my mood is better. I have chronic health issues, so I see a lot of doctors. This is the best medical practice I've ever been a patient of. Everyone who works here is an expert on what they do. They take a whole person approach to health and genuinely care about their patients.

When Clonazepam stopped working, I experienced multiple severe symptoms. Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring provided exceptional support. Dr. Marissa Witt-Doerring guided my transition to diazepam with compassion and expertise. Nicole, who has been through benzodiazepine withdrawal, offered invaluable empathy and reassurance. Their attentive listening and unwavering support has made a tough journey bearable. I highly recommend Taper Clinic for anyone recovering from a drug injury or needing help coming off medications.

I was referred to Josef Witt-Doerring at the desperate height of a very dire and enigmatic psychological illness. Having had experience with psychiatric drug withdrawal in my past, it was a breath of fresh air to be working with someone with extensive knowledge of its slowly emerging science. My illness turned out to be related to a mostly unrelated field, and Josef took an attentively curious, kind, and patient-led approach to collaboratively mapping my issue out. I have had experiences with all manner of psychiatrists throughout my life, and I can say that Josef’s combination of demeanor, philosophy, and expertise represent what I hope will be the future of empathic and informed psychiatry. I offer highest recommendation of Josef’s practice for all people dealing with drug withdrawal-related illness and for anyone navigating complex relationships with medications and their mental health.

I decided to join Dr. Josef's taper program that lasted for a few months back in November of 2023. My main issue, among others, was coming up with a way to taper effectively with what I would consider at this point in my journey to be very debilitating symptoms. Therefore, I needed help in establishing a way to become more stable while tapering. Both himself, and one of the best coaches in the space (Nicole Lamberson) helped me achieve that goal while I was a part of this program. I now feel more confident than ever that I will be able to finish my taper with much less debilitating symptoms as time goes by. I have to say, Josef and Nicole are lifesavers. Josef and everyone on his team are truly doing wonders in the space of safe and effective deprescribing and reduction of harm caused by benzodiazepines, as well as other psych medications. In my view, they are leading the way in this subject, as more knowledge about it continues to grow. They care a lot and are really wonderful people.

Dr. Josef and Dr. Marissa Witt-Doerring have been an absolute pleasure to work with. Throughout the past two years, their flexible scheduling, compassion, and responsible approach to medication have helped me through some very hard times. I had been on several medications in the past, but they were able to find one that addressed all my symptoms and didn’t have any of the adverse side effects of the other medications I’ve tried. Their virtual appointments were convenient and easy to access and allowed me to receive psychiatric care when no one else in my area was taking new patients. I would highly recommend them to anyone seeking mental healthcare with a more conservative approach to medication.

I'm a physician and a father whose daughter endured severe, prolonged benzodiazepine withdrawal. She started taking benzodiazepines for anxiety while studying abroad. Upon returning, she abruptly stopped taking them, unaware of the risks, leading to intense withdrawal symptoms.Our family struggled as she suffered. We found Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring in Utah, who diagnosed her with protracted withdrawal and offered expert guidance. Nicole Lamberson, Dr. Josef's coach, also provided immense support with her compassion and advice.We chose not to hospitalize her, fearing medication reactions post-withdrawal. Dr. Josef's expertise guided us, and we supported her recovery at home. A year later, she's improved remarkably, resuming activities like ice skating and considering college.Dr. Josef and Nicole's guidance was crucial. They advised against other doctors' suggestions for hospitalization, leading to a better recovery path. We're now tapering her medication slowly, and her recovery con

I had two very serious instances of drug induced psychiatric destablization that majorly disrupted my life. Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring helped stabilize me during this critical period. Once I recovered, Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring helped me find the right and appropriately dosed medications to live a healthy life. I am forever grateful for his work.

Josef Witt-Doerring is hands down the best psychiatrist I have ever had. He genuinely cares about his patients and their successes. He is attentive and compassionate. Giving the patient the ability to be in control of their own taper makes the process so much easier. I am at ease discussing anything and everything with him. A lot of times, most doctors tell you what to do. But, Josef wants to know how you can help him help you. He allows you to trust your body and never dismisses any detail, even if it is tiny. I was terrified tapering off my medication, but finding Josef was nearly a God send. I am not afraid of being left in the dark with him. I know that with his help, I will overcome this hurdle and become a success story. Thank you Josef for being my doctor!!!

Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring is the very best in the benzodiazepine recovery/tapering space in the U.S. He has been excellent in terms of explanation and execution of my tapering plan and I feel that I am in excellent hands. I know that I am working with the very best in this space and I am very thankful to have found him. It has been an absolute pleasure working with him.

I found Dr. Witt-Doerring on the website of a nonprofit that advocates for individuals who have been harmed by benzodiazepines, taken as prescribed. I sought his assistance with tapering off the benzodiazepine I had been prescribed over a decade ago for insomnia, after discovering it was the likely cause of a variety of seemingly unrelated health issues. From the first call, I knew I had found the right doctor-- he heard me, he encouraged me, he allowed me to taper at a pace that was comfortable for me, and he was always available to answer questions and offer support. I finished the taper and I feel better than I have in many years, and I have Dr. Witt-Doerring to thank for that. Having a doctor who you can trust when navigating a mental health challenge, especially one that leaves you feeling vulnerable, is invaluable, and I trust Dr. Witt-Doerring implicitly. Needless to say, I would highly recommend him to anyone facing a mental health challenge.

A wonderful physician. Dr. Witt-Doerring truly one of a kind psychiatrist with an integrative and thoughtful approach to treatment. He is compassionate, insightful, and kind. I highly recommend this practitioner!