Rohini Kanniganti, MD, MSPH, HMDC, is the Associate Medical Director at Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, which provides end-of-life and serious-illness care in North Carolina. A board-certified family physician with more than a decade in hospice and palliative medicine, she also works with Trail Winds Hospice and serves on the faculty of the Integrative Psychiatry Institute. Dr. Kanniganti's expertise spans ketamine and psychedelic-assisted therapies, integrative psychiatry, and relational, embodied approaches to easing pain, existential distress, and fear at the end of life.

Psychedelic therapy is often described as an inward journey, but healing also happens through the body, relationships, and community. Integration can deepen when these connections are treated as part of the therapeutic process. What can change when psychedelic-assisted therapy becomes more relational, embodied, and sacred?

Dr. Rohini Kanniganti, a board-certified family physician specializing in hospice and palliative care and psychedelic-assisted therapy, believes healing deepens through safety, attunement, and connection. Her REST framework — relational, embodied, sacred tending — encourages people to slow down, soften into the body, and tend to what is present rather than trying to transcend it. In palliative care, ketamine-assisted therapy may also help address pain, depression, existential distress, and fear around dying. Dr. Kanniganti's approach points toward psychedelic care rooted in embodiment, community, and compassionate presence.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes talks with Rohini Kanniganti, MD, MSPH, HMDC, Associate Medical Director and Physician at Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, about REST and a relational, embodied approach to psychedelic therapy. Dr. Kanniganti discusses ketamine in palliative care, somatic integration, and the role of connection in healing. She also explores end-of-life care, mindfulness, and approaching death with greater peace.

Ted Riskin, LCSW, is the Founder and Lead Psychotherapist at GroupKAP, a program offering ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in a supportive group setting. A psychotherapist specializing in relationship issues and transpersonal therapy, he integrates Internal Family Systems, Holotropic Breathwork, Core Energetics, EMDR, hypnotherapy, and decades of group facilitation. Ted also co-developed Essentials of IFS, where he trains clinicians to apply the model's techniques with greater skill and confidence.

Psychedelic experiences can bring vulnerable emotions to the surface while weakening the defenses that usually keep them contained. Effective therapy requires more than accessing those feelings; it also requires a steady, compassionate way to understand and integrate them. How can clinicians support this process without overwhelming the protective systems that help people function?

Psychotherapist Ted Riskin, LCSW, emphasizes building trust with those protective parts rather than treating them as obstacles. Internal Family Systems offers a practical framework for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Clinicians can prepare clients by identifying fears before a medicine session, remain grounded in self-energy during difficult moments, and revisit protectors afterward to reduce anxiety or backlash. Ted also recommends tracking the therapist's own agenda-driven or approval-seeking parts, since genuine presence creates more room for healing. By combining careful preparation, compassionate witnessing, and thoughtful integration, practitioners can help clients reconnect with their vulnerable parts without forcing the process.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes talks with Ted Riskin, LCSW, Founder and Lead Psychotherapist at GroupKAP, about integrating Internal Family Systems with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Ted explains how protectors respond to altered states, the importance of self-energy, and how group ketamine work can support relational healing. He also touches on therapist self-awareness, anger, and safety without judgment.

Harvey Schwartz, PhD, is the Co-founder and Psychedelic Psychotherapist at Polaris Insight Center, a San Francisco clinic and training center specializing in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. A licensed psychologist with more than four decades of experience, he treats complex PTSD, dissociative disorders, and spiritual and therapy-related trauma. Harvey also trains and mentors clinicians, drawing on relational psychodynamic, archetypal, existential, and mindfulness approaches to advance ethical, integrative psychedelic care.

Psychedelic therapy can open new viewpoints, but the experience itself is only one part of meaningful change. Lasting healing depends on how the work is integrated within a trustworthy therapeutic relationship. What helps clinicians support transformation without trying to control it?

Psychologist Harvey Schwartz, PhD, argues that clinicians can support transformation through accompaniment rather than control. He encourages therapists to tolerate uncertainty, invite honest feedback, and examine their own countertransference so clients do not have to perform progress for the clinician. Expectation management, community support, and respect for the nonlinear nature of recovery can help clients carry insights into daily life. These practices create a more ethical and deeply human framework for psychedelic care.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes talks with Harvey Schwartz, PhD, Co-founder and Psychedelic Psychotherapist at Polaris Insight Center, about why relational depth should remain central to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Harvey explains how humility strengthens care, why integration requires community, and what commercialization could cost the field. He also touches on countertransference and the healing role of wonder.

Robert Falconer is an Internal Family Systems (IFS) author, teacher, and consultant whose work explores advanced IFS applications, including unattached burdens, guides, and entities. He co-authored Many Minds, One Self with IFS founder Richard Schwartz and published The Others Within Us in 2023. With more than a decade of practicing IFS, Robert has extensive experience in trauma-oriented psychotherapy.

Some experiences do not fit neatly into the categories modern therapy often relies on. In psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, clients may encounter voices, beings, ancestral material, or spiritual phenomena that can be meaningful, destabilizing, or difficult to name. How can practitioners stay grounded, curious, and helpful when a client's inner world stretches beyond conventional Western frameworks?

According to IFS practitioner Robert Falconer, it starts with maintaining humility. Rather than pathologizing unusual experiences, he encourages clinicians to normalize them, learn the client's language, and support discernment around whether an inner presence feels helpful, harmful, or connected to the self. Robert also emphasizes the importance of preparation, integration, and asking permission from protective parts before psychedelic work, reminding practitioners that healing is often strengthened by curiosity, compassion, and a willingness not to know.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes sits down with Robert Falconer, IFS author, teacher, and consultant, to discuss spiritual experiences in psychedelic therapy. Robert explains how to distinguish parts from other presences, why humility matters, and how therapists can create safer containers. He also touches on legacy burdens, trauma, and integration.

David Dansky, MD, is an internal and emergency medicine physician with 40 years of experience in acute and emergency care. After training with the Ketamine Training Center in 2019, he began providing ketamine therapy at Monterey Integrated Therapies, supporting both physical and psychological healing. Dr. Dansky also lectures at conferences and experiential workshops on the medical and practical aspects of ketamine therapy.

Chronic pain can reshape a person's life, narrowing their focus, limiting their choices, and creating a cycle of fear, inflammation, and exhaustion. When traditional treatments only offer partial relief, what else can help people alleviate their pain and begin to feel hopeful again?

With decades of experience using ketamine in acute care settings, Dr. David Dansky's answer is to approach pain through both the body and the nervous system. Ketamine can interrupt pain signals, create distance from overwhelming sensations, and support therapeutic work around trauma, anxiety, and depression. Dr. Dansky emphasizes the importance of individualized dosing, safety conversations, and distinguishing dependency from addiction when weighing risks and benefits. For chronic pain patients, he advises working with a knowledgeable provider, considering routes such as lozenges, nasal spray, or topical creams, and focusing on how treatment improves function, hope, and quality of life.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes sits down with internal and emergency medicine physician David Dansky, MD, to discuss ketamine therapy for chronic pain. He discusses what many people misunderstand about chronic pain, how ketamine works with pain pathways, and how combining ketamine with psychotherapy can support deeper healing.

Dr. Sandra (Sandy) Newes, PhD, is a licensed psychiatrist and the Co-founder and Programming Director of Living Medicine Institute, which offers psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy training programs. With over 25 years of clinical experience as a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist, she specializes in anxiety, chronic stress, trauma, and recovery. Dr. Newes 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.

Psychedelic therapy is reshaping mental healthcare. With recent regulatory changes and increasing interest in alternative treatments, practitioners are exploring how to integrate these powerful tools safely and effectively. What does it take to train for and implement these therapies in a clinical setting?

According to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy practitioner Dr. Sandy Newes, integration requires both knowledge and experience. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique effects of substances like ketamine, participating in experiential training, and collaborating with medical prescribers. Practitioners should prioritize trauma-informed care, client choice, and ongoing self-reflection to maintain ethical and effective practices. By combining clinical expertise with hands-on experience, therapists can navigate this evolving field.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Chad Franzen of Rise25 chats with Dr. Sandy Newes, Co-founder and Programming Director of Living Medicine Institute, about psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy training. Dr. Newes discusses training programs and experiential learning, the role of ketamine in therapy, and embedding trauma-informed care into clinical practice.

Jorge Camil Starr is the Founder of ENOVA, a Mexican social enterprise that develops, implements, and manages educational centers to expand access to technology-based learning. A Mexican-American social entrepreneur recognized as an Ashoka Fellow and Endeavor Entrepreneur, he has focused his career on innovation, technology, education, and social impact. Jorge is also the CEO and Founder of Entheogyn, a vertically integrated legal psychedelic ecosystem that includes mushroom cultivation, healing sessions, ceremony, integration, research, and education.

Psychedelic medicine is opening new conversations about healing, consciousness, and the relationship between modern care models and ancient wisdom. As this field grows, how can practitioners, entrepreneurs, and communities honor the sacred roots of these medicines while building safe, ethical systems for the future?

Jorge Camil Starr emphasizes respect, humility, and intentionality. As a social entrepreneur working at the intersection of innovation, psychedelics, and social impact, he maintains that psychedelic work should not impose an agenda or interpretation on participants, but instead create a supportive container where people can access their own insights. Jorge suggests integrating ritual thoughtfully, meeting people where they are, learning from indigenous wisdom without appropriating it, and building strong safeguards around preparation, facilitation, and integration.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes sits down with Jorge Camil Starr, Founder of ENOVA and CEO and Founder of Entheogyn, to discuss ethical psychedelic care rooted in indigenous wisdom. Jorge explains Entheogyn's vertically integrated model, the role of ritual and intention, and how legal systems can support safety, respect, and harm reduction.

Gina Giorgio is the Director of Strategy and Development at Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), the largest youth-led network working to end the War on Drugs through evidence-based, compassionate, and human rights-aligned policies. In her role, she helps lead federal and state efforts in psychedelic and cannabis policy reform, promotes drug education, and creates career-building opportunities for young people interested in advocacy. Gina is also the Founder of Carolinas for Care, which expands access to psychedelic medicines for veterans and others disproportionately impacted by trauma.

Psychedelic medicine is moving into serious conversations about research, policy, and clinical care. As access expands, how can states, clinicians, and advocates prepare responsibly while prioritizing safety, training, and equity?

Gina Giorgio's answer is to build the infrastructure before approval arrives. As a psychedelic policy and advocacy expert, she emphasizes the need for relationship-based advocacy, state-level engagement, and thoughtful implementation. Gina recommends contacting legislators and tracking funding opportunities as policy continues to evolve. Central to her guidance, she also emphasizes preparing clinicians through better training pathways, prioritizing insurance and Medicaid coverage, and ensuring therapists and medical professionals help shape regulations rather than reacting to them later. The path forward requires both urgency and care.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes sits down with Gina Giorgio, Director of Strategy and Development at Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) and Founder of Carolinas for Care, to discuss psychedelic policy reform. Gina shares how veteran mental health shaped her advocacy, what the recent executive order means for psychedelic treatment access, and the importance of clinician training and state-level action.

Roman Palitsky, PhD, is the Director of Research Projects for Emory Spiritual Health and a Research Psychologist for Emory University School of Medicine. His research examines how culture, spirituality, and health interact, focusing on the biological, psychological, and social pathways that shape health outcomes. Dr. Palitsky is also an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University and conducts research to make behavioral and psychedelic therapies more culturally responsive and effective.

He leads the Post-Psychedelic Challenges study. If you or someone you know has experienced difficulties after taking a psychedelic, consider participating in this paid study: Post-Psychedelic Challenges Study

Psychedelic therapies are often framed as breakthroughs — but what happens when the experience doesn't go as expected? As these treatments gain popularity, a more complex reality is emerging: Profound healing can coexist with confusion, distress, or even lasting challenges. How can clinicians and patients navigate the full spectrum of psychedelic experiences?

Roman Palitsky, PhD, a research psychologist specializing in the intersection of spirituality and mental health, emphasizes that both benefits and harms can arise from the same experience — and both deserve careful attention. He encourages clinicians to validate patients' narratives rather than forcing meaning too quickly, focusing first on stabilization before interpretation. Dr. Palitsky also recommends preparing clients thoroughly, monitoring readiness, and recognizing when difficult reactions signal the need to pause or adjust care. His guidance centers on curiosity, humility, and using a broad clinical toolkit to support recovery and growth.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes talks with Roman Palitsky, PhD, Director of Research Projects for Emory Spiritual Health and Research Psychologist for the Emory University School of Medicine, about adverse effects in psychedelic therapy. Dr. Palitsky explains how psychedelics reveal key questions about the mind, why adverse experiences must be studied alongside benefits, and how clinicians can support patients through challenging outcomes.

Eric Sienknecht, PsyD, is the Co-founder and Psychologist at Polaris Insight Center, a ketamine-assisted psychotherapy clinic and training center. As a licensed clinical psychologist, he has experience treating trauma, mood disorders, and chronic pain by integrating psychedelic experiences into therapeutic care. Eric has received advanced training in KAP through the Ketamine Training Center and in MDMA-Assisted Therapy through the LYKOS MDMA Therapy Training Program.

As psychedelic therapy gains momentum, clinicians are grappling with how to balance structure, safety, and trust in a client's inner process. How can therapists support deep psychological healing in altered states of consciousness?

According to KAP clinical psychologist Eric Sienknecht, effective therapy begins with trusting the client's inner healing intelligence. He emphasizes the importance of presence, attunement, and relinquishing the urge to direct or interpret too quickly. Rather than leading, therapists can use simple, open-ended prompts like "What are you noticing?" while staying attuned across verbal, somatic, and emotional levels. Eric also highlights the value of personal therapeutic work and self-awareness to avoid imposing agendas, ultimately supporting a more authentic and client-led healing process.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes talks with Eric Sienknecht, PsyD, Co-founder and Psychologist at Polaris Insight Center, to discuss supporting clients during psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Eric shares his psychedelic healing journey, the role of inner-directed therapy, and how therapists can attune to clients across multiple levels of experience.