Shows
Living MedicineClinical Innovation in KAP: Changing the Story, Depathologizing Suffering, & Moving Beyond the DSMJayne Gumpel, LCSW, is the Founder and Lead Facilitator of Relationship Resources, which offers psychedelic-assisted retreats. As a psychotherapist, trainer, and teacher, she has over 30 years of experience working with couples, individuals, and groups in private practice. Jayne is a certified trainer in Psychedelic Integration Psychotherapy, a member of the Woodstock Therapy Center’s Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) team, and has completed MDMA-assisted psychotherapy training through the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). In this episode… Couples may encounter challenges when trying to resolve persistent issues around communication, trust, or emotional pain. Traditional talk therapy sometimes fall...2025-05-2246 minLiving MedicineClinical Interventions and the Intentional Use of Relationship in Ketamine-Assisted PsychotherapyJim Hopper, PhD, is a Teaching Associate in Psychology at Harvard Medical School, where he co-directs a conference on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. With over 25 years of experience as a clinical psychologist, therapist, and independent forensic consultant for MAPS, he focuses on the psychological and neurobiological effects of trauma, including sexual assault and child abuse. Jim has provided training and consultation to therapists, law enforcement, military personnel, and higher education administrators and has served as an expert witness in legal cases. In this episode… Many clinicians entering the field of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy assume that the medicine alone dr...2025-05-1551 minLiving MedicineChanging the Narrative: Why the MAPS Protocol Is Real PsychotherapyRick 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 tre...2025-05-0851 minLiving MedicinePsychodynamic Approaches To Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: Dr. Erika CzerwinskiDr. 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 ma...2025-05-0146 minLiving MedicineKetamine for Multiple Personality/DID: The Client ExperienceIn 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 thei...2025-04-2452 minLiving MedicinePsychedelics, Psychotherapy, and the Power of Kindness With Dr. Phil WolfsonDr. 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 t...2025-04-1759 minLiving MedicineFrom the ER to Ketamine Clinic: A Physician Talks About What It TakesDr. 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...2025-04-1051 minLiving MedicineKetamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for Treating an Index Trauma: The Client ExperienceIn 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...2025-04-0339 minLiving MedicineMDMA, Ketamine, and Other Tools for Working With TraumaVeronika 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 re...2025-03-2748 minLiving MedicineKetamine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Complex Trauma: The Client ExperienceIn 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-bas...2025-03-2045 minLiving MedicineThe Use of Touch in Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Tricky TopicDr. 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, sh...2025-03-1331 minLiving MedicineMichael Mithoefer: The Non-Directive Approach Takes Actual WorkMichael 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...2025-03-061h 11Living MedicineKetamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for Trauma: Some Healthy DebatesDr. 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, sh...2025-02-271h 03Living MedicineKetamine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Physician BurnoutMel 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...2025-02-201h 00Living MedicineBeyond Healing: Consciousness Expansion With Psychedelic MedicineDr. 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...2025-02-1353 minLiving MedicineClinician to Clinician: Bill Richards’ Fun and Good AdviceBill Richards, PhD, is the Co-founder and Senior Advisor at Sunstone Therapies, which delivers psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in medical settings. In his role, he oversees, guides, and trains new therapists from educational, medical, and religious perspectives. Bill is also a Clinical Psychologist at the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. With over five decades of experience researching psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, Bill focuses on its legal and safe integration into palliative care for cancer patients. In this episode… Psychedelic-assisted therapy enables patients to access profound states of consciousness, which can facilitate healing and...2025-02-061h 12Living MedicinePerspectives on Psychedelic Research, Clinical Trials, and Continuing To Connect From the HeartManish Agrawal, MD, is the Co-founder and CEO of Sunstone Therapies, the leader in the delivery of psychedelic-assisted therapies in the medical setting. Dr. Agrawal brings an extensive academic, clinical, and research background and depth of experience to Sunstone that spans medicine, engineering, philosophy, and ethics. Driven by a deep interest in healing, Dr. Agrawal is particularly passionate about whole-person healing and the transformative potential of psychedelic therapies. Manish previously held the position of Co-director of Clinical Research at Maryland Oncology Hematology, where he dedicated 18 years to the care of cancer patients. Dr. Agrawal completed his Residency i...2025-01-3043 minLiving MedicineA Mindfulness Expert Talks Psychedelics: Dr. Ron SiegelDr. Ron Siegel is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, where he has taught for over 40 years. As a clinical psychologist in private practice, he has worked with low-income children and families, treated adults with chronic pain and stress disorders, and provided mindfulness-oriented psychotherapy. Dr. Siegel has written and edited several books, including Mindfulness and Psychotherapy, The Mindfulness Solution, Sitting Together, and Wisdom and Compassion in Psychotherapy. In this episode… Psychedelics offer the potential to address the brain’s evolutionary tendencies that contribute to emotional distress. While essential for survival in early human...2025-01-231h 08Living MedicineHow We Can Hurt: Psychedelic Psychotherapy and HarmDerek Rinaldo, MA, LCMHC, and LCAS-A, is the Owner of Clear Life Counseling, where he specializes in counseling men with anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, and relationship issues. He is also a Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapist at Living Medicine Institute. As a licensed clinical mental health counselor, Derek provides various styles and training in breathwork. In this episode… New providers entering the field of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy often underestimate the complexities of working with these powerful substances. While the enthusiasm for psychedelics is growing, concerns about inadequate training, improper screening, and insufficient follow-up care remain under-addressed. What are the ess...2025-01-1659 minLiving MedicineExploring Psychedelic Sobriety With Dr. Rick BarnettDr. Rick Barnett is the Owner and Clinical Psychologist at BPS Health, LLC, a private online and in-person CBT practice. As the Co-founder of the Psychedelic Society of Vermont, he has been trained in psychedelic therapy and research, focusing on MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine. Dr. Barnett is also an alcohol and drug addiction counselor. In this episode… In recent years, there has been a growing interest in psychedelic drug uses for mental health and addiction treatments. With evolving perspectives and beliefs about its use in psychotherapeutic settings, many clinicians are at odds about the potential be...2025-01-091h 01Living MedicineRunning the Medical Side of a KAP Clinic: Lessons LearnedDr. Meidad Goldman, MD, is the Medical Director of Concierge Medicine and Psychiatry’s Ketamine Clinic and Living Medicine Institute, which offers psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy training programs. He is a board-certified physician in emergency and addiction medicine and has worked in multiple hospital- and clinical-based settings. With over 17 years of experience administering ketamine for multiple conditions, Dr. Goldman is a certified provider of Psychedelic Assisted Therapies and Research through the California Institute of Integral Studies and has completed training through the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). In this episode… Administering ketamine in therapy sessions requires a te...2025-01-0246 minLiving MedicineInterviews With Real KAP Clients: What Is It Actually Like?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. In this episode… Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is a promising treatment for mental health conditions, offering profound emotional and psychological healing through altered states of consciousness. How have pati...2024-12-2628 minLiving MedicineWhat to Know: Advice for a Career in Ketamine-Assisted PsychotherapyDr. 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, sh...2024-12-1944 minLiving MedicineIFS, Psychedelics, and the Spirit World: Dick Schwartz Speaks to His Lived ExperienceDr. 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...2024-12-1257 minLiving MedicineBreaking Barriers in Mental Health: How Psychedelic Therapy Can Reduce Human SufferingSherry 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 certa...2024-12-0539 minLiving MedicineThe Challenges of the MDMA Research Studies: Annie and Michael Mithoefer Part TwoHusband 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...2024-11-2839 minLiving MedicineThe Origin Story of MDMA Research: Annie and Michael MithoeferHusband 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...2024-11-2145 minLiving MedicineDr. Sandy Newes Talks About Ketamine and Psychedelic-Assisted PsychotherapyDr. 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 in...2024-11-1439 minLiving MedicineWhy Psychedelic Medicine Needs Training and Safety With Dr. Signi GoldmanDr. 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. In this episode… Cutting-edge studies show that ketamine and other psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy modalities are effective in treating various mental health conditions. While this technique is promising, it lack...2024-11-0731 minLiving MedicineAltered States of Healing: A Deep Dive Into Psychedelic-Assisted PsychotherapyDr. 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, sh...2024-10-2927 min