Living Medicine podcast

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Changing the Narrative: Why the MAPS Protocol Is Real Psychotherapy 51:28

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Rick Doblin, PhD, is the Founder and President of MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), a nonprofit organization advancing research into the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. He studied under Dr. Stanislav Grof and was among the first to be certified as a Holotropic Breathwork practitioner. Rick aims to develop legal contexts for the beneficial uses of psychedelics and marijuana. In this episode… The path to healing trauma and advancing mental health care through psychedelic therapies is often blocked by regulatory barriers, cultural stigma, and skepticism. While MDMA-assisted psychotherapy shows immense promise, therapists wonder how these treatments can be made widely accessible and trusted, especially across different cultures, age groups, and medical systems. What does it take to shift public perception and institutional acceptance? Psychedelic researcher and therapy pioneer Rick Doblin combines rigorous clinical research, international therapist training, and grassroots cultural change to reduce the stigma surrounding psychedelic therapies. He has initiated humanitarian projects in high-trauma, low-resource regions like Ukraine and Rwanda and facilitated the FDA approval process through pilot studies and collaborative research. Rick emphasizes the importance of therapist training — including firsthand MDMA experience — and encourages public storytelling to destigmatize psychedelics and build broader support. In today’s episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes welcomes Rick Doblin, PhD, Founder and President of MAPS, to discuss his pioneering research into MDMA and other psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies. Rick talks about group and family psychedelic therapy models, the relationship between mysticism and therapeutic outcomes during psychedelic sessions, and how to support natural emotions during vulnerable states.…

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Psychodynamic Approaches To Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: Dr. Erika Czerwinski 46:42

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Dr. Erika Czerwinski, PsyD, is the Founder, Director, and Facilitator of Eleos, which integrates ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and nature-based mindfulness to facilitate self-discovery. With over 20 years of clinical experience working with individuals, couples, and groups, Dr. Czerwinski holds certifications in psychedelic-assisted therapies from MAPS, the Integrative Psychiatric Institute, and the Living Medicine Institute. Since 2019, she has facilitated ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for physicians, young adults, and those healing from trauma. In this episode… As the psychotherapy space enters a psychedelic renaissance, navigating the complex relational dynamics that emerge in altered states remains a top concern. How can therapists maintain ethical boundaries while being authentic and responsive during such vulnerable moments? What role do clinical frameworks like attachment theory and transference play when working with powerful medicines like ketamine? According to clinical psychologist Dr. Erika Czerwinski, relational attunement, psychoanalytic listening, and ceremony-based approaches can ground and enrich ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. Distinguishing dosages helps clinicians tailor interventions based on client needs and internal states. When clients begin regaining verbal awareness during ketamine sessions, gentle, well-timed reflections can surface unconscious material, validate emerging emotional experiences, and help anchor insights for integration. By attuning to transference patterns and unconscious processes, interpretations can deepen relational safety and accelerate healing. In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes interviews Erika Czerwinski, PsyD, Founder, Director, and Facilitator of Eleos, about integrating relational depth into psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Dr. Czerwinski talks about working with clients experiencing personality disorders, the difference between psychedelic and psycholytic therapy sessions, and how ketamine compares to similar psychedelics in clinical usage.…

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Ketamine for Multiple Personality/DID: The Client Experience 52:16

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In this episode… Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is often misunderstood, stigmatized, or misdiagnosed, especially in high-functioning individuals who mask symptoms through adult-like coping strategies. Many live for decades without a clear diagnosis, struggling silently with memory gaps, emotional volatility, and identity confusion. How can modern therapeutic practices like psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy identify and support people navigating this complex condition? Today’s guest struggled for years with DID that remained hidden behind a facade of accomplishments until various life stressors made symptoms unavoidable. Through intensive trauma therapy and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, they identified distinct parts within themself, recognized their trauma origins, and began the integration process. The guest emphasizes that psychedelics allow access to vivid trauma memories, the role of the therapist in creating safety and attunement during complex trauma work, and how gaining agency over their identities transformed their condition from a burden into a strength. Join Dr. Signi Goldman in today’s episode of Living Medicine as she recounts an interview with an anonymous client about resolving DID through psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. The guest talks about identifying and healing distinct internal identities, their early experience with DID symptoms, and how somatic touch can facilitate identity reconciliation.…

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Psychedelics, Psychotherapy, and the Power of Kindness With Dr. Phil Wolfson 59:39

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Dr. Phil Wolfson, MD, is the Founder and CEO of the Ketamine Research Foundation, which advances ketamine’s use in therapeutic modalities. As a pioneering psychiatrist and psychotherapist, he is the author of The Ketamine Papers and Noe – A Father/Son Song of Love, Life, Illness and Death . Dr. Wolfson served as the Principal Investigator for a MAPS-sponsored Phase 2 clinical trial exploring MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for patients with anxiety from life-threatening illnesses. In this episode… As psychedelic-assisted therapies become more mainstream, ketamine treatments are increasingly medicalized, often lacking the integration, connection, and context that can unlock their true healing potential. How can clinicians ensure these therapies are transformative rather than transactional? Psychedelic psychotherapist Dr. Phil Wolfson advises against separating ketamine from psychotherapy. Instead, he advocates for an integrative, human-centered approach that includes preparatory work, therapist presence, and post-session integration. When determining patient dosage, clinicians should focus on assessing the individual rather than adhering to rigid protocols. Dr. Wolfson also urges clinicians to cultivate compassion, deepen their therapeutic relationships, and consider the spiritual and emotional dimensions of healing, especially when working with trauma and grief. In this episode of Living Medicine , Dr. Sandy Newes talks with Dr. Phil Wolfson, the Founder and CEO of the Ketamine Research Foundation, about the art and ethics of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. Dr. Wolfson shares how his son’s illness led him to pursue psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, consciousness and death in psychedelic experiences, and the contrast between IV clinics and integrative therapy models.…

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From the ER to Ketamine Clinic: A Physician Talks About What It Takes 51:24

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Dr. Jonathan Leake is a Board Certified Emergency Department Physician and the Co-owner and CEO of Dérive Health, a clinic specializing in ketamine-assisted therapy for PTSD, depression, and other treatment-resistant mental health conditions. With over a decade of experience treating dehydration and illness with IV fluids and medications, Dr. Leake also co-founded Hydrate Medical, which administers IV vitamin infusions. He is certified in psychedelic-assisted therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) and MAPS and holds a certification in ketamine therapy from the Living Medicine Institute. In this episode… Many physicians are burned out by the limitations of traditional medicine, especially when treating mental health crises in high-pressure environments like the ER. While they may feel called to do more, the pathway to practicing psychedelic therapy can seem unclear and overwhelming. How can medical professionals transition into ketamine-assisted care? After noticing a lack of effective treatment for mental health conditions, emergency medicine physician and ketamine clinician Dr. Jonathan Leake transitioned from the ER to providing ketamine therapy. Ketamine therapy requires maintaining supportive care throughout each treatment session, so physicians must build patient rapport, assess and manage the environment’s energy, and recognize psychological vulnerability. When treating patients with complex trauma, Dr. Leake advises physicians to recognize the limits of their training and partner closely with licensed therapists who can guide a deeper therapeutic process. In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Jonathan Leake, the Co-owner and CEO of Dérive Health, joins Dr. Sandy Newes to discuss how physicians can provide ketamine therapy. He highlights the importance of patient care during ketamine therapy sessions, insights from various psychedelic therapy conferences, and the role of training in physician performance.…

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Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for Treating an Index Trauma: The Client Experience 39:24

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In this episode… Trauma from sudden medical crises often leaves more than physical scars; it disrupts a person’s sense of safety, identity, and control. Traditional therapy can feel too slow or disconnected when your body and mind are flooded with fear. When even the memory of being in a hospital is too much to bear, how can you move forward? One resilient woman turned to ketamine-assisted psychotherapy to process acute medical trauma. The guided sessions allowed for deep internal work — accessing and dialoguing with younger, traumatized parts of herself in a safe, altered state. Having a trusted therapist present, repeating her words and prompting her to explore further, helped anchor the experience. This inner self work, paired with a sense of physical and emotional safety, became essential for healing, especially after difficult sessions that re-triggered memories. The guest emphasizes the value of entering the sessions with an open mind and the importance of having a supportive therapeutic relationship. In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Signi Goldman hears from an anonymous client about her experience with ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for acute medical trauma. Together, they explore how medical trauma affects the nervous system, tips for first-time ketamine therapy patients, and how to release tension and embrace safety during ketamine-assisted psychotherapy sessions.…

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MDMA, Ketamine, and Other Tools for Working With Trauma 48:20

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Veronika Gold, LMFT, is the Co-founder of Polaris Insight Center, a clinic offering ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, integrative psychiatry, and integration services. She is a lead trainer at Polaris Training Program. She served as a sub-investigator and co-therapist, educator, and consultant at the Lykos clinical trials for the treatment of PTSD with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, Veronika specializes in treating trauma, anxiety, stress, transition, self-esteem, employment, and relationship issues. In this episode… Too often, psychedelic-assisted therapy is reduced to a clinical buzzword or a quick-fix intervention, stripping it of the depth and relational care it requires. As more people seek healing through non-ordinary states, there's growing confusion — and sometimes harm — caused by untrained providers and disjointed treatment models. What does it take to offer safe, ethical, and transformative psychedelic-assisted therapy? With deep experience in trauma work and non-ordinary states, Veronika Gold emphasizes the importance of a strong therapeutic relationship, proper training, and personal experience with psychedelics. Ketamine treatment without therapeutic intervention can cause lasting damage, so Veronika advocates for relational, trauma-informed care that honors consent, somatic awareness, and integration over time. Rather than rushing to gain the patient’s insights during ketamine therapy sessions, therapists should remain cautious and curious, integrating somatic intervention techniques as needed. In this week’s episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes hears from Veronika Gold, LMFT, the Co-founder of Polaris Insight Center, who talks about trauma-informed psychedelic therapy. Veronika shares her perspective on the role of non-ordinary states in healing, the distinction between MDMA and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and how she uses therapeutic touch during psychedelic therapy sessions.…

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Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Complex Trauma: The Client Experience 45:33

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In this episode… Many people struggling with trauma feel stuck — trapped by memories they can’t fully recall yet deeply affect their daily lives. Traditional therapy can take years to untangle the layers of emotional pain, and even then, some wounds remain deeply buried. How can you unlock those hidden experiences to begin healing? After enduring childhood and institutional trauma, today’s guest accessed years of suppression through ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. This healing process requires more than engaging in a few ketamine sessions; instead, you must navigate resurfaced trauma through self-awareness, a strong support system, and body-based healing techniques to process the body’s response to trauma. When considering ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, the guest recommends keeping an open mind and building relationships with trusted professionals. In the latest episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Signi Goldman hosts an anonymous client to discuss the impact of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy on healing trauma. Together, they share misconceptions about ketamine therapy, the guest’s experience revisiting trauma during altered states, and how she developed resilience through integration work.…

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The Use of Touch in Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Tricky Topic 31:29

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Dr. Signi Goldman, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist and the Co-founder and Medical Director of Living Medicine Institute, which offers psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy training programs. As a certified provider for psychedelic-assisted therapy and research, she has practiced in various clinical settings, including hospital systems and alternative treatment settings. Dr. Goldman also serves as a Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist for Concierge Medicine and Psychiatry’s Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Program for Mental Health. Dr. Sandra (Sandy) Newes, PhD, is a licensed psychiatrist and the Co-founder and Programming Director of Living Medicine Institute. With over 25 years of clinical experience as a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist, she specializes in anxiety, chronic stress, trauma, and recovery. Dr. Newes has provided ketamine-assisted psychotherapy through Concierge Medicine and Psychiatry since 2019. She is also an educator and speaker offering workshops, events, and education on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and the intersection of nature connection, trauma, and mental health. In this episode… Touch in therapy is a complex and often controversial topic, especially in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, where clients are in highly vulnerable states. While some therapists fear the ethical risks of using touch, avoiding it altogether can mean missing a critical tool for grounding and healing. How can practitioners navigate this delicate balance while ensuring client safety and trust? Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy trainers Dr. Signi Goldman and Dr. Sandy Newes emphasize the importance of clear consent, ethical considerations, and trauma awareness. While some clients — particularly women with trauma histories — may be more cautious about physical contact, others may seek out safe, grounding touch from male therapists as part of their healing process, so therapists should balance masculine and feminine energy accordingly. For clients who are hesitant about direct touch, Dr. Goldman and Dr. Newes suggest allowing them to place a hand on their own body first, with the option for the therapist to add gentle contact on top if desired. In today’s episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Signi Goldman and Dr. Sandy Newes of Living Medicine Institute discuss the ethical use of touch in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy sessions. Together, they talk about somatic touch interventions, strategies for working with veterans and first responders, and how to match touch intensity to emotional distress.…

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Michael Mithoefer: The Non-Directive Approach Takes Actual Work 1:11:31

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Michael Mithoefer, MD, is a clinical psychologist and the Senior Medical Director for Medical Affairs, Training, and Supervision at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). He specializes in treating PTSD with experimental psychotherapy through clinical research and outpatient clinical practice. Between 2004 and 2018, Michael and his wife Annie completed two of the six MAPS-sponsored Phase II clinical trials testing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. In this episode… Therapists new to the psychedelic psychotherapy space are often uncertain about how to support clients effectively during altered states. Should they remain silent and allow the medicine to do the work, or should they actively guide the session with interventions? Misconceptions about the "non-directive approach" often leave practitioners unsure of their role, leading to either over-involvement or complete disengagement. How can therapists balance presence and intervention? As a psychiatrist and researcher specializing in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, Michael Mithoefer explains that the therapist’s role is not to impose structure but to follow the client’s inner healing intelligence. He outlines three key principles: only intervene when necessary, provide time for natural processing, and always frame suggestions as invitations rather than directives. Additionally, he highlights the importance of relational safety, regular check-ins, and the integration of somatic interventions to help clients navigate difficult emotional and physical manifestations of trauma during their sessions. In this week’s episode of Living Medicine, Michael Mithoefer, the Senior Medical Director for Medical Affairs, Training, and Supervision at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), returns to talk with Dr. Signi Goldman about guiding internal-directed healing during psychedelic therapy sessions. Michael discusses the importance of checking in with clients regularly during sessions, how therapist training and personal psychedelic experiences influence psychedelic therapy facilitation, and when to intervene during MDMA sessions.…

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Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for Trauma: Some Healthy Debates 1:03:06

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Dr. Signi Goldman, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist and the Co-founder and Medical Director of Living Medicine Institute, which offers psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy training programs. As a certified provider for psychedelic-assisted therapy and research, she has practiced in various clinical settings, including hospital systems and alternative treatment settings. Dr. Goldman also serves as a Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist for Concierge Medicine and Psychiatry’s Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Program for Mental Health. Dr. Sandra (Sandy) Newes, PhD, is a licensed psychiatrist and the Co-founder and Programming Director of Living Medicine Institute. With over 25 years of clinical experience as a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist, she specializes in anxiety, chronic stress, trauma, and recovery. Dr. Newes has provided ketamine-assisted psychotherapy through Concierge Medicine and Psychiatry since 2019. She is also an educator and speaker offering workshops, events, and education on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and the intersection of nature connection, trauma, and mental health. In this episode… Trauma therapy is a complex and often debated field, with professionals holding differing views on the best approaches. Some therapists prioritize exposure, helping clients directly engage with painful memories, while others focus on resourcing to build a sense of safety and well-being. When ketamine is introduced into trauma work, how does it shape the healing process, and what approach leads to the most effective outcomes? Psychedelic therapy training professionals Dr. Signi Goldman and Dr. Sandy Newes and training students Barbara Connold, Barrie Bondurant, and Amy (Maiima) Nicholson explain that ketamine-assisted psychotherapy facilitates a balance between exposure and resourcing. Clients often toggle between processing traumatic material and deepening into states of well-being without direct therapist intervention. During ketamine-assisted therapy sessions, therapists should practice tethering to ensure clients feel supported, manage disassociation as a therapeutic tool rather than a barrier, and assess a client’s readiness for deeper trauma work. Dr. Goldman, Dr. Sandy, Barbara, Barrie, and Amy also underscore the importance of preparation and integration, ensuring clients develop resilience and maintain stability between sessions. In this episode of Living Medicine , Dr. Signi Goldman and Dr. Sandy Newes interview Barbara Connold, PMHNP, of Ketamine Psychotherapy Associates, Barrie Bondurant, PhD, LC, and Amy (Maiima) Nicholson, about the intersection of ketamine and trauma therapy. Together, they share insights on managing client dysregulation, the relational aspects of ketamine-assisted therapy, and strategies for balancing exposure with resourcing.…

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Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Physician Burnout 1:00:09

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Mel Herbert is the Founder and CEO of EM: RAP (Emergency Medicine: Reviews and Perspectives), which provides engaging, high-quality educational content for emergency care providers. As a renowned emergency medicine physician, he established the nonprofit EM: RAP GO to extend emergency medical training to underserved communities. Mel is also the author of The Extraordinary Power of Being Average . In this episode… As the demands of emergency medicine take a heavy toll on clinicians, many struggle with depression and anxiety, often finding little relief in traditional treatments. For medical professionals seeking solutions, could ketamine therapy provide a breakthrough in combating burnout and restoring mental well-being? After struggling with severe depression and suicidal ideation and failing to find relief with conventional medications, emergency medicine physician Mel Herbert turned to ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, which he describes as life-changing. Ketamine lifted his depression and reshaped his brain’s neural pathways, allowing him to experience joy and gratitude in ways he hadn’t for decades. However, Mel warns against the dangers of unregulated ketamine use, stressing the importance of controlled administration with a professional therapist, proper dosing, and integration therapy. In this episode of Living Medicine , Dr. Sandy Newes interviews Mel Herbert, the Founder and CEO of EM: RAP (Emergency Medicine: Reviews and Perspectives), about his experience with ketamine therapy for professional burnout. Together, they discuss training considerations for professionals entering the ketamine-assisted psychotherapy field, how providers customize treatment to patient needs, and the ideal candidates for ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.…

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Beyond Healing: Consciousness Expansion With Psychedelic Medicine 53:14

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Dr. Keith Heinzerling, MD, is the Director of the Pacific Treatment and Research in Psychedelics (TRIP) program at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, where he develops psychedelic-assisted therapies for conditions such as addiction, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. He is also an Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine Specialist at the Pacific Brain Health Center at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, focusing his clinical research on treating alcohol, drug, and substance use problems. Before joining the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Dr. Heinzerling was an Associate Professor in the UCLA Department of Family Medicine and a founding member of the UCLA Comprehensive Chronic Pain Integrated Practice Unit. In this episode… Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy offers a paradigm shift to treating mental health conditions beyond traditional pharmacotherapy. However, integrating these treatments into mainstream medicine presents challenges, including regulatory hurdles. How can professionals balance scientific rigor with the profound and spiritual experiences that psychedelics induce? Dr. Keith Heinzerling believes that psychedelics offer more than just symptom relief; they provide a pathway to deeper healing and consciousness expansion. These medicines facilitate access to core psychological and emotional issues, allowing patients to process trauma, reconnect with their sense of self, and cultivate a greater awareness of their place in the world. Unlike conventional psychiatric treatments that focus on symptom suppression, psychedelic medicine fosters transformation by dissolving rigid mental patterns and opening individuals to new perspectives. Dr. Heinzerling maintains that this approach requires careful guidance, integration, and a framework that respects both the scientific and spiritual dimensions of these experiences. In this week’s episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Keith Heinzerling, the Director of the Pacific Treatment and Research in Psychedelics (TRIP) program at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, joins Dr. Sandy Newes to talk about psychedelic healing as an alternative to traditional medicine. Dr. Heinzerling discusses his psychedelic spiritual activation retreats, the barriers to FDA approval for integrating psychedelic medicine into clinical settings, and how to conduct research for ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.…

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Living Medicine

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What to Know: Advice for a Career in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy 44:24

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Dr. Signi Goldman, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist and the Co-founder and Medical Director of Living Medicine Institute, which offers psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy training programs. As a certified provider for psychedelic-assisted therapy and research, she has practiced in various clinical settings, including hospital systems and alternative treatment settings. Dr. Goldman also serves as a Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist for Concierge Medicine and Psychiatry’s Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Program for Mental Health. Dr. Sandra (Sandy) Newes, PhD, is a licensed psychiatrist and the Co-founder and Programming Director of Living Medicine Institute. With over 25 years of clinical experience as a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist, she specializes in anxiety, chronic stress, trauma, and recovery. Dr. Newes has provided ketamine-assisted psychotherapy through Concierge Medicine and Psychiatry since 2019. She is also an educator and speaker offering workshops, events, and education on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and the intersection of nature connection, trauma, and mental health. In this episode… Aspiring clinicians often find themselves at a crossroads when considering integrating psychedelic-assisted therapies into their practices. Although ketamine is legal, it remains largely unregulated, prompting concerns surrounding ethical use in psychotherapy settings. What are the essential skills, safety measures, and professional pathways necessary to enter this emerging field successfully? As early pioneers of the ketamine-assisted psychotherapy space, Dr. Signi Goldman and Dr. Sandy Newes outline the common pathways for clinicians entering the space. The types of people who fit the typical profile include professionals aware of psychedelics' potential, those with personal psychedelic experiences, and professionals seeking practical application of their knowledge. When transitioning into the field, Dr. Newes and Dr. Goldman emphasize prioritizing safety measures and executing preparation, intervention, and integration techniques to avoid harmful outcomes like fear associated with trauma and broken trust. In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Signi Goldman and Dr. Sandy Newes share tips for breaking into the psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy space. Together, they address concerns about these treatments, the barriers to a career in this field, and how ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can cause harm to patients when implemented incorrectly.…

Living Medicine

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IFS, Psychedelics, and the Spirit World: Dick Schwartz Speaks to His Lived Experience 57:10

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Dr. Richard (Dick) C. Schwartz is the Founder of the IFS (Internal Family Systems) Institute, which offers professional training in IFS therapy, an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps people access and heal their trauma through their multifaceted personalities. Dr. Schwartz began his career as a systemic family therapist and an academic and is a faculty member at Harvard Medical School. As a featured speaker for national professional organizations, he has published five books on IFS, including No Bad Parts and Introduction to the Internal Family Systems Model. In this episode… The Internal Family Systems (IFS) model is a transformative framework for understanding and healing trauma, and many therapists look to integrate it with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. How can practitioners balance the introspective depth of IFS with the expansive, altered states induced by psychedelics to unlock profound therapeutic breakthroughs? According to lifelong family systems researcher Dr. Dick Schwartz, the IFS therapeutic model identifies the mind’s multiplicity, where protective and exiled parts coexist with the innate qualities of the self. Drawing parallels with spiritual traditions, IFS bridges evidence-based therapy and practices, addressing phenomena such as unattached burdens and guides, which challenge conventional psychological frameworks. Psychedelics enhance the IFS process by temporarily silencing protective parts of the psyche, allowing greater access to the healing qualities of the self. While psychedelics can catalyze powerful emotional releases and self-awareness, Dr. Schwartz emphasizes the need for skilled facilitation to avoid overwhelming clients or triggering protector backlash. By combining IFS principles with psychedelics, therapists can create a safe, compassionate environment that supports deep healing and integration of past traumas. In the latest episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes invites Dr. Richard (Dick) Schwartz to discuss how psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy can enhance the IFS process. Dr. Schwartz talks about the spiritual qualities of the self, how to identify unattached burdens and differentiate guides from parts, and recent criticisms of IFS.…

Living Medicine

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Breaking Barriers in Mental Health: How Psychedelic Therapy Can Reduce Human Suffering 39:35

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Sherry Rais is the Co-founder and CEO of Enthea, a licensed, third-party administrator of health plan benefits. Through her company, she focuses on expanding access to psychedelic-assisted therapy to alleviate human suffering. Sherry holds a Certificate in Psychedelic Therapies and Research and is the former Executive Director of the Boston Psychedelic Research Group. In this episode… The world is riddled with suffering, and it’s often linked to natural disasters, community tragedies, and poverty. How can we alleviate human suffering and help individuals work through their traumas? Psychedelics advocate Sherry Rais maintains that certain levels of suffering and discomfort are crucial to personal growth and transformation. Individuals can recognize and confront their adversities through ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, which allows people to relive their trauma in controlled environments with licensed professionals guiding them through the treatment experience. However, access to these groundbreaking therapies remains limited, so Sherry works with employers to integrate psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy treatments with healthcare plans, forming a path to alternative methods for reducing suffering. In today’s episode of Living Medicine, Sherry Rais, the Co-founder and CEO of Enthea, joins Dr. Sandy Newes to discuss leveraging ketamine-assisted therapy to alleviate human suffering. Sherry talks about the various types of human suffering, how to advance the psychedelic-assisted therapy field, and the qualities of a cutting-edge psychedelic therapy training program.…

Living Medicine

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The Challenges of the MDMA Research Studies: Annie and Michael Mithoefer Part Two 39:33

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Husband and wife team, Michael Mithoefer, MD, a clinical psychiatrist, and Annie Mithoefer, BSN, a registered nurse, are Clinical Investigators for MDMA and PTSD studies at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelics Studies (MAPS). They specialize in treating PTSD with experimental psychotherapy through clinical research and outpatient clinical practice. Between 2004 and 2018, Michael and Annie completed two of the six MAPS-sponsored Phase II clinical trials testing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. Together, they have over 25 years of experience treating trauma patients. In this episode… Although MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has been hailed as a groundbreaking treatment for PTSD, its path to legitimacy has been thwarted by methodological and ethical challenges. How can researchers balance the demands of rigorous scientific inquiry with the relational complexities of psychotherapy to advance this innovative approach? Drug therapy researchers Michael and Annie Mithoefer faced significant criticisms of their methods as they worked to integrate MDMA into trauma therapy. Conventional drug trial models, which rely on strict double-blind methodologies, clashed with the participatory nature of psychotherapy. To address bias and ethical concerns, the Mithoefers designed studies with independent, remote reviewers trained to evaluate outcomes objectively. They also adjusted their protocols to prioritize participant safety after initial low-doses of MDMA increased anxiety rather than offered therapeutic benefits. Despite these challenges, the Mithoefers collaborate with the FDA continuously to create rigorous protocols that balance scientific standards with real-world therapeutic applications. In this part-two episode of Living Medicine , Dr. Sandy Newes continues her discussion with Michael and Annie Mithoefer about the barriers they face in their MDMA research studies. Together, they discuss the unique challenges of drug research in psychotherapy, the ethical dilemmas they face, and how their work aims to transform mental health care.…

Living Medicine

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The Origin Story of MDMA Research: Annie and Michael Mithoefer 45:57

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Husband and wife team, Michael Mithoefer, MD, a clinical psychiatrist, and Annie Mithoefer, BSN, a registered nurse, are Clinical Investigators for MDMA and PTSD studies at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelics Studies (MAPS). They specialize in treating PTSD with experimental psychotherapy through clinical research and outpatient clinical practice. Between 2004 and 2018, Michael and Annie completed two of the six MAPS-sponsored Phase II clinical trials testing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. Together, they have over 25 years of experience treating trauma patients. In this episode… Psychedelics like MDMA became popular for recreational use in the 60s, leading some psychiatrists and medical professionals to explore these drugs as treatments for PTSD and depression. Yet, the road to legality and acceptance was long and arduous. How did early pioneers of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy pave the way for a groundbreaking new treatment method? Psychedelic therapy pioneers Michael and Annie Mithoefer knew they wanted to accelerate healing through altered states of consciousness, so they began treating patients using breathwork. After some trauma patients didn’t experience results, the husband and wife team conducted in-depth research into MDMA. Despite scrutiny, legal challenges, and reputational risks, Annie and Michael collaborated with top psychiatrists to bring MDMA-assisted psychotherapy to the mainstream. Their FDA approval process began after conducting rigorous studies involving control and experimental groups. These studies laid the foundation for future psychedelic-assisted treatment programs, benefiting patients with treatment-resistant mental health conditions. Join Dr. Sandy Newes in this episode of Living Medicine as she interviews Michael and Annie Mithoefer about their pioneering research into MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Together, they discuss the early days of psychedelic therapy and research, the outcomes of their clinical studies, and why they began their research.…

Living Medicine

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Dr. Sandy Newes Talks About Ketamine and Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy 39:08

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Dr. Sandra (Sandy) Newes, PhD, is a licensed psychiatrist and the Co-founder and Programming Director of Living Medicine Institute. With over 25 years of clinical experience as a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist, she specializes in anxiety, chronic stress, trauma, and recovery. Dr. Newes has provided ketamine-assisted psychotherapy through Concierge Medicine and Psychiatry since 2019. She is also an educator and speaker offering workshops, events, and education on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and the intersection of nature connection, trauma, and mental health. In this episode… Various psychedelics like ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin were used as treatment forms in ancient cultures. Scientific studies into the use of these drugs — namely ketamine — for mental illness began as early as the 1950s. What’s involved in modern psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy practices? Trauma-based psychiatrist Dr. Sandy Newes provides supervised ketamine-assisted therapy treatments for treatment-resistant depression and other chronic mental health conditions. This involves using the ketamine drug as a supplement to traditional therapy practices by placing the patient on an IV drip in a controlled therapeutic environment to observe behavioral shifts. Alternatively, medical approaches entail collaborating with a physician and using ketamine as a single source of treatment. During sessions, professionals monitor the patient’s vital signs and emotional distress levels, adjusting the IV drip based on their responses and experiences. Following the session, key insights from the altered state of consciousness are integrated into further treatment sessions. Join Dr. Sandy Newes in this episode of Living Medicine as she’s interviewed by Chad Franzen of Rise25 about the cultural history and proven benefits of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy techniques. She discusses its use in trauma treatments, Living Medicine Institute’s function as a psychedelic-assisted therapy training and research facility, and the typical process for this treatment form.…

Living Medicine

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Why Psychedelic Medicine Needs Training and Safety With Dr. Signi Goldman 31:35

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Living Medicine

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Altered States of Healing: A Deep Dive Into Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy 27:21

for 28 weeks siden27:21

27:21

Dr. Signi Goldman, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist and the Co-founder and Medical Director of Living Medicine Institute, which offers psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy training programs. As a certified provider for psychedelic-assisted therapy and research, she has practiced in various clinical settings, including hospital systems and alternative treatment settings. Dr. Goldman also serves as a Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist for Concierge Medicine and Psychiatry’s Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Program for Mental Health. Dr. Sandra (Sandy) Newes, PhD, is a licensed psychiatrist and the Co-founder and Programming Director of Living Medicine Institute. With over 25 years of clinical experience as a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist, she specializes in anxiety, chronic stress, trauma, and recovery. Dr. Newes has provided ketamine-assisted psychotherapy through Concierge Medicine and Psychiatry since 2019. She is also an educator and speaker offering workshops, events, and education on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and the intersection of nature connection, trauma, and mental health. In this episode… In recent years, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has emerged as a groundbreaking new therapy technique that stimulates healing through altered states of mind. Yet this space is still in its infancy, with misconceptions and concerns surrounding drug use and safety. What should you know about this evolving space, and how can you break into it? As certified psychedelic-assisted therapy providers, Dr. Signi Goldman and Dr. Sandy Newes maintain that this modality involves more than drugging patients one time to heal them for life. Instead, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is an ongoing process that begins with establishing patients’ medical histories, establishing treatment goals, and building a relationship with them to ensure they feel comfortable enough to withstand treatment. During the process, Dr. Goldman and Dr. Newes employ trauma and nature-based approaches to help patients navigate their altered states. After the session, the doctors observe behavioral shifts and align them with their treatment goals. In the first episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Signi Goldman and Dr. Sandra (Sandy) Newes are interviewed by Rise25’s Chad Franzen about psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Together, they explain how it enhances traditional psychotherapy techniques, how they incorporate trauma, nature, ceremonies, and rituals into their approaches, and how they address psychological safety concerns.…

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