SERVICES & SPECIALTIES
Due to the demand for alternative therapies, I have narrowed my services to better meet the needs of our community. Below you'll find a list of the types of sessions we could engage in together, as well as some focus areas I'm most passionate about.
Some of the information here may bring about several questions, and I would love for us to set up a time to discuss! Meeting for a first session allows the necessary time to talk about what's bothering you, explore different tools that may be able to help, and clarify any confusion or curiosities that might be surfacing.
Also, please note that I recommend all clients have a primary therapist for ongoing support as we engage in these specialized services together.
To set up an appointment, please complete THIS WAITLIST SURVEY, and I'll get back to you soon!
SERVICES
CONSULTATION
– If you're curious about psychedelic medicines and alternative therapies, or have specific questions about your own circumstance, I would love for us to set up a session together! I continue to devote countless hours towards learning about innovative paths for improved mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health, and my hope is that these efforts might offer valuable information as you consider your next steps.
Due to demands on time and the complexity of these techniques, I'm unable to verbally engage beyond session times or respond in depth to e-mails. Having a full session will allow enough time to discuss some of the specifics of your life and thoroughly answer any questions you may have without feeling rushed. I appreciate your understanding around this and hope we can meet soon to cover any ground that may be helpful!
KETAMINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY
– As more of us hear about the benefits of Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapies, it's exciting to learn that there's a legal option, available now: Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy!
At low doses, the defense-loosening, mind-expanding, and wisdom-illuminating properties of Ketamine make it an excellent tool for introspection and emotional processing. Engaging with this powerful medicine in an emotionally safe environment with ample preparation and support offers an opportunity to get the most out of this intentional experience.
Since beginning to offer these sessions in 2021, I have supervised countless experiences, now ranging in the hundreds. During this time, I have seen remarkable and efficient transformations in many clients with a wide range of presenting concerns.
It should be noted that this is not a miracle cure or a quick fix. Sometimes it takes several sessions to see results, and even still, it doesn't work for everyone. Despite these limitations, however, the shifts I've seen with this approach far surpass anything I ever dreamed possible during my many years as a talk therapist.
Which is why I'm so excited about it!
I understand that Psychedelic Assisted Therapy may seem weird or scary at first, but if it feels right for you, I'd love to embark on a journey together.
BRAINSPOTTING
– This technique can feel a little like having a low-grade psychedelic experience without taking any medicine. I think of it like a simple collaborative meditation experiment that allows for surprising insights, as well as deep processing of emotions, memories, and sensations that may be stored in the body. Brainspotting provides an excellent trial run before engaging in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, and it's a tool I strongly recommend for anyone pursuing any work with psychedelics.
Another reason I love this modality is that it highlights the wisdom in a common phrase in the psychedelic world, that 'you are the medicine.' When clients have powerful, firsthand experiences with this technique, it emphasizes a key point that our inner capacity to heal can be accessed to great effect without ingesting any chemical.
EMDR
– This is a powerful processing technique that can help with a wide range of things. If there's a stuck point in your life, such as a negative belief about yourself or a memory that won't get out of your head, this tool can be used to directly target that belief or memory.
EMDR is an effective approach that allows greater access to deep memories and associated body sensations that may have been causing unconscious irritation.
Much like Brainspotting, I also consider EMDR a 'psychedelic' technique. The word, 'psycehdelic,' actually means 'mind manifesting,' and that's what all of these techniques do: they bring up what's inside.
INTEGRATION
– After an intentional experience with psychedelic medicine, it's important to reflect on whatever may have happened, explore what that might mean for you, and weave those insights into daily life to sustain lasting results.
While I cannot offer long-term integration support, and therefore recommend all clients work with a primary therapist, I would love to meet for a session or two after any experience with non-ordinary consciousness to process anything that might have come up!
CHECK IN & FOLLOW UP
– If we've ever worked together in any capacity and you would like to set up a check in session, either to follow up on any of the work we've done previously or consult about anything going on for your now, let's set up a time!
While we can't engage in regular/ongoing therapy, I'm never too busy for you and would love to say hello!
Setting up a follow up appointment months after any kind of intensive work with Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, Brainspotting, EMDR, or any other psychedelic experience can also be valuable to explore what changes that may have occurred, as well as what obstacles may persist, and I would love to hear how things are going!
SPECIALTIES
TRAUMA & GRIEF
– Sometimes people talk about 'little t' and 'Big T' trauma, but I tend to think that being human is traumatic and all experiences have equal potential to wreak internal havoc. I have worked with clients trying to reconcile demons of all shapes and sizes. No experience is too dark or scary to bring up, and neither is it insignificant or invalid.
Many trauma experts have suggested that these past events resides more deeply than the parts of our brain associated with talking. This is one reason why talk therapy may not be effective for many people who are looking to process emotionally jarring experiences, and this is also why I exclusively specialize in tools that illuminate memories, emotions, insights, and sensations that may be difficult to access in conversation.
There are many different opinions about the word, 'trauma', and for those who may not resonate with that term, I also consider grief and loss to fall under the same umbrella, as sudden transitions can be tremendously challenging to make sense of.
If you are interested in processing any trauma, grief, or loss, I would love to meet to talk through various options we may be able to explore together to see if any of them resonate with you!
PSYCHEDELIC ASSISTED THERAPY CONSULTATION
– The potential benefits of these medicines when used intentionally and with follow through are enormous, and if this subject is one you're interested in, I'm sure there's a lot to discuss!
After witnessing the immense suffering of so many struggling with food, mood, trauma, and pain of all kinds in the eating disorder clinic where I worked, I felt an urgent need to research other forms of available healing. It wasn't long before I found a long history of research about utilizing medicines that activate non-ordinary consciousness – such as MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ketamine – in a therapeutic context with impressive results.
After experiencing my own personal transformation with this approach, a passion ignited to learn more and share with others. While these tools are not without risks, should never be considered a silver bullet, and do not work for everyone, the results I have seen in many who have pursued this path with intention and follow through have been tremendous.
Needless to say, I'm excited about the future of this technology, particularly as it becomes more accepted by the public to alleviate our current mental health crisis, and it's a topic I'm always a little too eager to talk about!
KETAMINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY
– Ketamine has been shown to produce remarkable (and rapid) results in the treatment of depression, suicidality, PTSD, OCD, anxiety, and other ailments. It's a powerful tool, and one that can be used many ways.
To oversimplify, the two basic ways to use Ketamine for mental health are (1.) as a psychiatric drug with the power to re-balance the brain's chemistry, and (2.) as a holistic amplifier that can accelerate therapy by illuminating and processing unconscious material, such as repressed memories, buried emotions, and various insights that may be difficult to access otherwise.
As a therapist who offers Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, you might be able to guess what I'm most passionate about. And yet, there are many useful and evidence-based ways to utilize Ketamine for improved mental health, and I would love to talk more about them!
The video here offers a brief overview of the benefits of Ketamine, and THIS PODCAST dives deeper into Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, more specifically.
SUICIDALITY
– Considering an early exit makes a lot of sense. Especially when everything feels overly painful with no end in sight. Experiencing these thoughts is hard enough, and not having anyone to share them with only adds to the isolation. I would love to have an honest conversation about this with you and explore if Brainspotting, EMDR, or psychedelic medicine might be useful to address any underlying distress.
One of the reasons I'm so excited about medicines that invoke non-ordinary consciousness is that they can greatly help with this concern. The graph on the right, for example, shows a rapid decrease in suicidality (within 24 hours) after a single experience with Ketamine. While Ketamine can be an effective tool for those who struggle with suicidality, Ketamine is only one of many mind-expanding tools that may offer neurochemical benefits, as well as a new perspective on living.
P.S. A while back, I wrote an informal Facebook Post proposing a Suicide Postponement Pact, whereby someone can pledge to try five different psychedelic medicines before pursuing suicide. You can read it here!
DEPRESSION & ANXIETY
– While these two conditions are nearly fundamental to humanity, experiencing either of these in an ongoing, severe way can be debilitating. I'd love to work with you to understand how either of these states impacts you and see what we can try that's different from what you've tried before.
RELATIONSHIPS
– Working on ourselves might be the most important thing we can do. Engaging in this process deeply enough will likely have a positive impact on many areas of our lives, including our relationships.
The techniques I offer can all be directed towards the disruptive patterns and subconscious material that may be standing in the way of more fulfilling connections with yourself, others, the world, and life as a whole.
(Additionally, while I'm not a couples therapy specialist, I am beyond excited about the potential of MDMA assisted couples therapy, and would love to offer it as soon as MDMA becomes FDA approved. If you are interested in this – and preferably, if you are already engaged in formal therapy with a couples therapist – please complete the waitlist survey so I can update you when this becomes available!)
BEING A PERSON
– The human condition is hard! What I love about psychedelic medicine, as well as Brainspotting and EMDR, is that these tools are widely applicable for a tremendous range of concerns and goals. Using any of these tools for personal growth, reflection, insight, and processing of any kind can be just as valid – and equally rewarding – as turning to these tools as a last resort for mental health concerns.
EATING DISORDERS
– When I wrestled with an eating disorder in my teens and early twenties, I felt like what was happening in me was beyond comprehension— even to the professionals who were supposed to get it. Having gone through that, I aim to provide the understanding I craved at the time. Through seven years of experience in an eating disorder treatment facility, I've encountered a wide range of presentations and feel just as passionate about this often-misunderstood condition today as I did when I started.
Adding to this enthusiasm is that the potential for psychedelic medicines to help with eating disorders is tremendous, and as research continues in the coming years, I'm hopeful that more people struggling with eating disorders might consider this as an option.
What makes me so excited about the potential here is that psychedelics have been shown to lower blood flow in the part of the brain called the 'Default Mode Network,' which is where our looping thoughts, addictive patterns, and standard ways of thinking reside. By reducing noise in this area, individuals are often able to connect to something deeper and engage in newer, healthier habits afterwards.
ADDICTION
– The drive to do something over and over and over again, no matter the consequence, is a kind of madness I'd love to explore with you.
Extensive research continues to examine the use of psychedelic medicines in the treatment of addiction, with impressive results. While there are many tools that may help to address a wide range of addictive patterns, these are the tools I'm most excited about, as they work simultaneously on a number of areas responsible for addiction. This can include unprocessed emotion, stuck patterns, buried traumas, spiritual orientation, and physiological changes in the brain.
If you're interested in this, I'd love to talk through any of that data with you as you evaluate which options might be best to try!
(NOTE: Because I'm an outpatient clinician, doing Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy together would not be indicated if you are struggling with ongoing substance abuse. After going through a medically supervised detox process, however, and with a clear plan including supportive people in your life, this may be an option worth exploring. Additional information about Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy can be found HERE.)
EXISTENTIAL CONCERNS
– What's the point? What does it all mean? Who am I? Have I wasted my life? Does anything matter? It can feel quite lonely to wrestle through confusions like these and get the sense that no one wants to talk about how to deal with being a person. While I may not have all the answers, I have searched far and wide on my own journey, and would love to accompany you on yours.
Psychedelic medicines have offered tremendous clarity around these questions in my own life, and have also been shown in clinical research to do the same for many others. While this approach may not be suitable for everyone, and also may not work for everyone, these powerful tools may be worth considering on your journey through life's complexity.
SPIRITUAL / PHILOSOPHICAL EXPLORATION
– I don't have any formal training in philosophy or spirituality, but I am a philosophically-minded information-absorber who has personally wrestled with and deeply explored a wide range of perspectives.
There's no topic too dark, weird, or complicated, and I would love to talk through any belief system or 'out there' questions you may be sorting through. No matter your background, I'm open to all points of view and will never impose my own beliefs onto you.
LGBTQ+
– It's so obvious to me to embrace all sexual preferences and gender identities that I almost forget to mention it. If you're looking for an inclusive, understanding person to process any dilemmas you might have around gender or sexuality, or if your identity in the LGBTQ+ community exists as a background element of who you are as a multi-dimensional human, I'd love to work together!
INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS
– IFS is both a therapy approach and a way of conceptualizing human psychology. It surrounds the idea that we all have 'parts' of ourselves and can offer an invaluable and compassionate perspective on why we do, feel, and say the things we say, feel, and do.
As this approach is highly recommended in the psychedelic therapy world, I am currently pursuing formal training through the IFS Institute (the most prestigious program for this) in order to formally offer this technique. Until then, I have completed an Advanced Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy and IFS training course and read two clinical books on the subject. I hope to continue learning more about this tool to better address whatever might be happening inside.
SCHEMA THERAPY
– When we grow up, our experiences shape the way we see the world, others, and ourselves. Later, these impressions bias the way we interpret reality and leave us vulnerable to flying off the handle when we're reminded of the past. Taking the time to identify your schemas (a.k.a., the lenses you may be looking through) can be a powerful first step in loosening their grip.
OTHER THERAPIES
– I'm well-versed in a range of therapeutic techniques including CBT, ACT, DBT, solution focused, narrative therapy, motivational interviewing, play therapy (action figures aren't just for kids), and others. While these won't be the focus of our work, I may reference or incorporate these techniques if it makes sense.
An Urgent Plea to Users of Psychedelics: Let’s Consider a More Ethical Menu of Plants and Compounds
Article
As exciting as the potential is for a wide range of psychedelic medicines, they are not equally environmentally friendly. Sourcing of some of these powerful molecules can cause serious and unethical harm to animals, communities, and the Earth itself.
Tim Ferriss wrote an excellent piece on this HERE and also shared a brief summary on THIS PODCAST starting at the one hour, two minute mark.
Fortunately, Ketamine is a sustainable medicine, and other psychedelic therapy tools nearing FDA approval, such as MDMA and Psilocybin, can also be sourced sustainably.
Psilocybin Assisted Psychotherapy:
The Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin
Journal Article
The number of research findings demonstrating the positive effects of this medicine is staggering. This article provides a general overview of how this molecule can be used therapeutically, and how this invaluable tool may become increasingly incorporated into our culture.
MDMA Assisted Psychotherapy
Clinical Trial / Phase 3 Results
MDMA Assisted Psychotherapy has shown the best clinical results of any known treatment for PTSD. These outcomes are the result of double-blind, placebo-controlled trials and provide the necessary evidence for pending FDA approval. Integrating this powerful tool into our mental health system will mark a new chapter in effective, efficient, and holistic options for the general public.
Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund
Environmental Organization
As the intentional use of psychedelic medicines becomes more common around the globe, we need to remain highly aware of the cultural, environmental, and ethical implications of the medicines that are being used.
Supporting organizations like the Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund and learning what they have to offer would be a huge contribution to their important goals.
Dosed 2: The Trip of a Lifetime
Documentary
Psilocybin Assisted Therapy has been shown to help with end-of-life anxiety for those struggling with cancer, and this film follows a woman seeking this approach for her own diagnosis. It's a powerful and emotional movie that the whole family could watch together to learn about the value of these medicines when used intentionally.
Fantastic Fungi
Documentary
This fascinating documentary illuminates the mysterious nature of fungi, as well as therapeutic applications of psilocybin mushrooms.
The Science of MDMA & Its Therapeutic Uses: Benefits & Risk
Podcast
In this third offering by Dr. Huberman, he shares lots of eye-opening information about MDMA.
MDMA Could Help Cure PTSD
Mini Documentary
This is a powerful firsthand look at what psychedelic assisted therapy can look like. While MDMA, Ketamine, and Psilocybin all feel very different, the sessions can look quite similar on the outside (i.e., comfortable and supportive environment, music, eye shades, and discussions around novel emerging insights).
Right Use of Power: The Heart of Ethics
Book
Dr. Cedar Barstow's instructive book is a must-read for any clinician, and especially those looking to practice in this space. Psychedelic therapy is a powerful and complex approach that must be handled with the utmost care and consideration.
I'm continually learning what it means to be a psychedelic therapist and how to engage in this work as thoughtfully and ethically as possible, and will continue to do my best to navigate this work in a way that hopefully empowers anyone seeking to work on themselves in a significant way.
Ketamine Research Institute
Ethical Code
KRIYA released their code of ethics, which outlines best practices for Ketamine clinicians. It underlines the importance of 'specialized psychological care before, during, and after receiving Ketamine,' which is a foundation of true Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy.
READ HERE
Ketamine: Benefits and Risks for
Depression, PTSD & Neuroplasticity
Podcast
Dr. Andrew Huberman, PhD, is a neuroscientist and tenured professor at Stanford, and here he talks about some of the science behind Ketamine.
Alabama Entheogen
Organization
Our local Psychedelic Practitioner Community of fellow therapists and providers of psychedelic assisted therapies, along with other professionals and engaged members of the community, has formed an organization to advocate for increased research around these important medicines, as well as urgent change to our laws so that local individuals can access these life-saving technologies.
Alabama Entheogen began formal efforts with local legislature in early 2023 and is eager to see positive changes soon.
MISSION STATEMENT:
Our advocacy group seeks to expand access to effective tools that are currently restricted. These tools include entheogens, empathogens, and other psychedelic medicines that, when used intentionally and cautiously, can alleviate and assist PTSD, depression, anxiety, community violence, addiction, and other pressing concerns. We seek to shift the policy landscape and educate our community to increase access to these invaluable tools and their well-researched benefits.
By reducing misinformation, miseducation, and stigma, we hope to help create pathways for research, access, and harm education relating to the therapeutic and spiritual use of entheogens, empathogens, and other psychedelic medicines.
ADVOCACY
Local efforts are underway to expand access to psychedelic assisted therapies. If you would like to help, learning more and sharing positive word of mouth about this approach would help to create opportunities for this invaluable and emerging approach to therapy.
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MEDIA • EDUCATION • RESEARCH • ADVOCACY • ETHICS
How Psilocybin Can Rewire Our Brain, Its Therapeutic Benefits & Its Risks
Podcast
Dr. Huberman explores the science of how psilocybin works in this comprehensive podcast.
How Psilocybin Can Rewire Our Brain, Its Therapeutic Benefits & Its Risks
Podcast
Dr. Huberman explores the science of how psilocybin works in this comprehensive podcast.
MEDIA & EDUCATION
I didn't realize how much I misunderstood (and was misinformed) about psychedelic assisted psychotherapy until reading How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan and subsequently having my first experience at the end of 2020. After this life-changing introduction, I've been on a mission to learn as much as possible about the subject and share with others. To consolidate that journey, I've included several links below so we can continue learning about this fascinating topic together.
If you'd like to scroll ahead, this page is divided into the following sections:
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MEDIA • EDUCATION • RESEARCH • ETHICS
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
Clinical Data
The following articles are a few of my favorite research articles that describe what Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy is, and how this approach has shown
has been shown Research on Ketamine's effects have often centered around administration in a clinical setting to determine the chemical benefit this medicine can provide. Even though it can be dangerous to experience this molecule at dissociative doses without adequate psychological preparation and emotional support, the results of taking Ketamine by itself for its pharmacological properties at a range of doses have been impressive.
Meanwhile, the need for additional support in this powerful process is beyond important, as we know that this medicine can bring about delicate emotional, psychological, and spiritual content. Having a safe context to anticipate, experience, interpret, and integrate this material can be instrumental in maximizing the benefit of this medicine and sustaining its positive effects.
There's no data yet comparing IV or at-home Ketamine use without therapy support to outcomes from those who engage in true Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). However, this article tracks several KAP clinics engaging in this approach, which could be viewed as a more holistic option for working with this medicine.
KETAMINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY
– Ketamine has been shown to produce remarkable (and rapid) results in the treatment of depression, suicidality, PTSD, OCD, anxiety, and other ailments. It's a powerful tool, and one that can be used many ways.
To oversimplify, the two basic ways to use Ketamine for mental health are (1.) as a psychiatric drug with the power to re-balance the brain's chemistry, and (2.) as a holistic amplifier that can accelerate therapy by illuminating and processing unconscious material, such as repressed memories, buried emotions, and various insights that may be difficult to access otherwise.
As a therapist who offers Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, you might be able to guess what I'm most passionate about. And yet, there are many useful and evidence-based ways to utilize Ketamine for improved mental health, and I would love to talk more about them!
The video here offers a brief overview of the benefits of Ketamine, and THIS PODCAST dives deeper into Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, more specifically.
KETAMINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY
– As more of us hear about the benefits of Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapies, it's exciting to learn that there's a legal option, available now: Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy!
At low doses, the defense-loosening, mind-expanding, and wisdom-illuminating properties of Ketamine make it an excellent tool for introspection and emotional processing. Engaging with this powerful medicine in an emotionally safe environment with ample preparation and support offers an opportunity to get the most out of this intentional experience.
Since beginning to offer these sessions in 2021, I have supervised countless meaningful experiences. During this time, I have seen remarkable and efficient transformations in many clients with a wide range of presenting concerns.
It should be noted that this is not a miracle cure or a quick fix. Sometimes it takes several sessions to see results, and even still, it doesn't work for everyone. Despite these limitations, however, the shifts I've seen with this approach far surpass anything I ever dreamed possible during many years as a talk therapist.
Which is why I'm so excited about it!
I understand that Psychedelic Assisted Therapy (which includes Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy) may seem weird or scary at first, but if it feels right for you, I'd love to embark on a journey together.
SUICIDALITY
– Considering an early exit makes a lot of sense. Especially when everything feels overly painful with no end in sight. Experiencing these thoughts is hard enough, and not having anyone to share them with only adds to the isolation. I would love to have an honest conversation about this with you and explore if Brainspotting, EMDR, or Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy might be useful to address any underlying distress.
The graph on the right, shows a rapid decrease in suicidality (within 24 hours) after a single experience with Ketamine. Because any encounter with Ketamine can create a window of opportunity for deep therapeutic progress, Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy centers around therapeutic support before, during, and after these experiences.
RELATIONSHIPS
– Working on ourselves might be the most important thing we can do. Engaging in this process deeply enough will likely have a positive impact on many areas of our lives, including our relationships.
The techniques I offer can all be directed towards the disruptive patterns and subconscious material that may be standing in the way of more fulfilling connections with yourself, others, the world, and life as a whole.
(Additionally, while I'm not a couples therapy specialist, I am beyond excited about the potential of MDMA assisted couples therapy, and would love to offer it as soon as MDMA becomes FDA approved. If you are interested in this – and preferably, if you are already engaged in formal therapy with a couples therapist – please complete the waitlist survey so I can update you when this becomes available!)
EATING DISORDERS
– When I wrestled with an eating disorder in my teens and early twenties, I felt like what was happening in me was beyond comprehension— even to the professionals who were supposed to get it. Having gone through that, I aim to provide the understanding I craved at the time. Through seven years of experience in an eating disorder treatment facility, I've encountered a wide range of presentations and feel just as passionate about this often-misunderstood condition today as I did when I started.
Adding to this enthusiasm is that the potential for Psychedelic Assisted Therapies to help with eating disorders is tremendous, and as research continues in the coming years, I'm hopeful that more people struggling with eating disorders might consider this as an option.
What makes me so excited about the potential here is that psychedelics have been shown to lower blood flow in the part of the brain called the 'Default Mode Network,' which is where our looping thoughts, addictive patterns, and standard ways of thinking reside. By reducing noise in this area, individuals are often able to connect to something deeper and engage in newer, healthier habits afterwards.
ADDICTION
– The drive to do something over and over and over again, no matter the consequence, is a kind of madness I'd love to explore with you.
Extensive research continues to examine the use of psychedelic medicines in the treatment of addiction, with impressive results. While there are many tools that may help to address a wide range of addictive patterns, these are the tools I'm most excited about, as they work simultaneously on a number of areas responsible for addiction. This can include unprocessed emotion, stuck patterns, buried traumas, spiritual orientation, and physiological changes in the brain.
If you're interested in this, I'd love to talk through any of that data with you as you evaluate which options might be best to try!
(NOTE: Because I'm an outpatient clinician, doing Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy together would not be indicated if you are struggling with ongoing substance abuse. After going through a medically supervised detox process, however, and with a clear plan including supportive people in your life, this may be an option worth exploring with a collaborating medical provider.)
KETAMINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY
– Ketamine has been shown to produce remarkable (and rapid) results in the treatment of depression, suicidality, PTSD, OCD, anxiety, and other ailments. It's a powerful tool, and one that can be used many ways.
To oversimplify, the two basic ways to use Ketamine for mental health are (1.) as a psychiatric drug with the power to re-balance the brain's chemistry, and (2.) as a holistic amplifier that can accelerate therapy by illuminating and processing unconscious material, such as repressed memories, buried emotions, and various insights that may be difficult to access otherwise.
As a therapist who offers Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, you might be able to guess what I'm most passionate about. And yet, there are many useful and evidence-based ways to utilize Ketamine for improved mental health, and I would love to talk more about them!
The video here offers a brief overview of the benefits of Ketamine, and THIS PODCAST dives deeper into Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, more specifically.
PSYCHEDELIC ASSISTED THERAPY CONSULTATION
– After witnessing the immense suffering of so many struggling with food, mood, trauma, and pain of all kinds in the eating disorder clinic where I worked, I felt an urgent need to research other forms of available healing. It wasn't long before I learned about the clinical literature supporting Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy, Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy, and others.
While Psychedelic Assisted Therapies are not without risks, should never be considered a silver bullet, and do not work for everyone, this avenue for therapeutic growth has helped many.
While I only offer Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, as it is the only legal opting for Psychedelic Assisted Therapies, I am always excited to discuss these emerging therapies!
WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HELP WITH THE COST?
– While many of the following efforts may not help in the short-run, unfortunately, I'm always strategizing about how we can increase large-scale access to this approach. Some of the pursuits below hopefully reflect this. Even if these endeavors may not be relevant to you, directly, I wanted to include them here to illustrate concrete examples of doing what I can to increase access to Psychedelic Assisted Therapies, which includes Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. – In 2021 there were no psychedelic assisted therapy specialists in Alabama. My goal from the beginning has been to help legitimize this approach so that we can make it more available in the area. Hopefully by looking at the website, you can get a sense of the effort I've put into this mission. – Since opening private practice in 2021, I have consistently offered sliding scale rates and have engaged in pro bono work when I've been able to afford it. – In 2022, I partnered with Thank You Life (https://thankyoulife.org/), a charity organization for psychedelic assisted therapies, who offered two full sponsorships for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. – In 2022, I launched the Alabama Psychedelic Therapy Fund (https://bit.ly/AlabamaPsychedelicTherapyDonate), which was a hopeful, though unsuccessful, effort to raise funds to offset the cost of this work. (Note: If you would like to support their cause or sponsor a client, please consider supporting Thank You Life's local initiative to sponsor Alabama clients: https://www.kentonbartlettcounseling.com/nonprofit) – At the beginning of 2023, I launched a free psychedelic integration community that continues to offer peer-led integration support for members of our community who are engaged in intentional work with psychedelics. – In early 2023, I joined Alabama Entheogen, which is an advocacy group that works towards changing the laws in our state around psychedelic assisted therapies and medicines for increased access to those who may benefit. – In the summer of 2023, I reached out to other licensed clinicians in the area to begin building Alabama's Psychedelic Practitioner Community. The goal of this growing group is to bring together other clinicians in the area for peer supervision, education, and training around psychedelic therapy. As more therapists and physicians learn about this work, more will begin offering it, and it will become more widely available. – In 2023 I began making educational videos related to psychedelic safety. By increasing access to this information, my hope is that others may be able to use these tools in a safe and intentional way for the greatest possible benefit and least possible harm. – At the end of 2023, Thank You Life and I launched an ongoing fundraiser to sponsor struggling people in our community who may not otherwise have access to this form of therapy. You can learn more here: http://kentonbartlettcounseling.com/nonprofit – In early 2024, I participated in a fundraiser hosted by The Southeast Coalition of Psychedelic Practitioners (https://www.southeastpsychedeliccoalition.com/). This event seeks to raise money for individuals pursuing psychedelic therapy. If you would like to attend this event or contribute any financial resources, please reach out! – Since 2021, colleagues and I have presented many educational offerings to other clinicians, the general public, and to local lawmakers in order to increase public acceptance of this approach, and ultimately increase access.
Video Channel Name
Video Channel Name
Video Title
Video Title
Video Title
The Ethics and Urgency of Psychedelic Medicine in Mental Health
NBCC-Approved Presentation
October, 2021