Dr. Alana (Lani) Roy - is a psychologist, social worker, researcher and advocate for psychedelic-assisted therapy. With a background in complex trauma, sexual abuse, family violence and disability, she has dedicated her career to supporting individuals through non-traditional healing modalities. She provides education, training and harm reduction strategies for psychedelic integration. She is also a founding chair of the Australian Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Practitioners (AMAPP),https://amapp.org/ working to ensure ethical and safe access to psychedelic treatments.Through her work, Dr. Roy bridges the gap between science and spirituality, advocating for evidence-based approaches while honouring the sacred and indigenous traditions. Her mission is to help individuals reconnect with themselves, heal generational trauma and transform mental health care systems.
🔹 Psychedelic-assisted therapy as a tool for trauma recovery
🔹 The ethical and legal challenges of psychedelics in Australia
🔹 Science vs. spirituality in mental health treatment
🔹 Art therapy and creative expression in psychedelic integration
🔹 Breaking generational trauma through parenting & self-awareness
⏱ [00:00:07] – Introduction & Background Valerie welcomes Dr. Lani Roy, a psychologist and social worker, who has spent her career working in complex trauma, sexual abuse, and family violence. Dr. Roy shares how mainstream mental health treatments often fail to reach the depth of healing needed for trauma survivors.
⏱ [00:03:07] – Discovering Psychedelic Therapy After years of searching for more effective trauma treatments, Dr. Roy shares how her personal journey led her to ayahuasca and other plant medicines, igniting her passion for research and advocacy in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
⏱ [00:06:09] – Balancing Science & the Mystery Dr. Roy discusses the paradox of being both a scientist and a spiritual seeker. She emphasises the importance of blending evidence-based approaches with sacred traditions.
⏱ [00:09:18] – Challenges in Psychedelic Legalisation & Equity Despite Australia's progress in legalising MDMA for PTSD and psilocybin for depression, accessibility remains a major issue.
⏱ [00:16:30] – The Deepest Transformation Through Psychedelics Dr. Roy reflects on the most profound impact of psychedelic therapy: "I've seen people who have survived the worst kinds of trauma—abuse, war, and torture—find a light that is stronger than their enemy’s darkness." She highlights how psychedelics help survivors reconnect with their bodies, emotions, and sense of meaning in life.
⏱ [00:23:01] – The Role of Art Therapy in Integration Dr. Roy discusses the power of creative expression in helping individuals process psychedelic experiences: "Art is a tool for expressing the unspeakable. It allows people to externalise experiences that have no language." She also explores how virtual reality and digital art are emerging as tools in psychedelic integration.
⏱ [00:26:38] – The SWIM Model: Psychedelic Integration Framework Introducing the SWIM Model, which stands for: Somatic work – grounding the body after psychedelic experiences Wisdom – drawing from philosophy, ethics, and reflection Interdependence – strengthening community ties Metacognition – developing critical thinking & self-awareness
⏱ [00:39:12] – Parenting & Consciousness Expansion As a mother of two, Dr. Roy shares how raising children in an open and aware environment shifts generational trauma. She describes children as: "The most psychedelic beings—naturally intuitive, creative, and free until the world teaches them otherwise."
⏱ [00:42:37] – Final Thoughts & Where to Connect Dr. Roy encourages those interested in psychedelic-assisted therapy, harm reduction, and ethical consciousness to connect via: https://thesignsoflife.com.au/
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