Michael Otto, PhD

Michael W. Otto, Ph.D. is Director of the Cognitive-Behavior Therapy Program at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Associate Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Otto specializes in the cognitive-behavioral treatment of anxiety and mood disorders, and has developed clinical-research programs at MGH for the treatment of panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, social phobia, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, substance dependence, and medication discontinuation in patients with panic disorder. Dr. Otto's research activities are closely tied to his clinical interests and target investigations of the etiology and treatment of anxiety, affective, and substance-use disorders. Of particular interest to Dr. Otto is the development and testing of new treatments, including the combination of pharmacologic and cognitive-behavioral strategies for treatment-refractory and substance abusing patients, and the modification of treatment packages for novel populations (e.g., Cambodian refugees). He has published over 175 articles, book chapters, and books spanning these research interests. His books include the edited volumes, Challenges in Clinical Practice: Pharmacologic and Psychosocial Strategies, and Social Phobia: Research and Practice, and the Stopping Anxiety Medication treatment manuals for patients and therapists. Dr. Otto serves as a section editor for Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, and on the editorial boards of Anxiety and Depression, Behavior Research and Therapy, Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, Journal of Anxiety Disorders, Journal Watch in Psychiatry, and Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. He also serves on the scientific advisory board for the Anxiety Disorders Association of America and the governing board for the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy. Dr. Otto is a fellow of the American Psychological Association, directs fellowship and internship training in cognitive-behavior therapy at MGH, and has been a regular provider of continuing education and continuing medical education workshops across the United States and abroad.