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.

Many people exploring mental health treatments seek options that go deeper than traditional talk therapy. They want approaches that help them access, process, and move through the patterns that keep them stuck. How can you determine which tools support meaningful change?

According to psychologist and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy specialist Dr. Sandy Newes, the solution lies in combining medicine with skilled therapeutic guidance. Preparation, integration, and a strong relational container turn chemical experiences into transformation. Dr. Newes recommends working in a structured series of sessions, tracking the narrative and the body, and ensuring clients feel safe enough to explore difficult material. This process can open space for clarity, emotional release, and genuine healing.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Chad Franzen of Rise25 hosts Dr. Sandy Newes, Co-founder and Programming Director of Living Medicine Institute, to discuss ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for trauma care. Dr. Newes talks about its unique clinical utility, common misconceptions about dosing, and how trauma-informed care shapes the therapeutic experience.

Dr. Raymond Turpin is the Clinical and Executive Director of The Pearl Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing trauma-informed care and psychedelic-assisted therapies. He has worked in psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric emergency units, residential treatment facilities, juvenile detention, schools, and community mental health clinics. Before The Pearl Institute, Dr. Turpin co-founded Jackson County Psychological Services, which provided free and reduced-cost mental health services to the students and families of the Jackson County Public School system.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is reshaping how clinicians understand trauma, resilience, and healing. With veterans, first responders, and countless others still struggling despite traditional treatments, many are wondering whether a different therapeutic pathway is finally within reach. What happens when medicine, neuroscience, and expanded states of consciousness converge? How can clinicians bring innovative treatments to people who need them most?

With decades of experience in trauma-focused psychology, Dr. Raymond Turpin believes that meaningful healing begins by accessing the deeper layers of the psyche that conventional talk therapy often can't reach. He emphasizes the importance of preparation, safety, and intentional integration, noting that even profound non-ordinary experiences require commitment and follow-through to create transformation. Relational support, skilled guidance, and a willingness to engage with inner material can catalyze healing.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes talks with Dr. Raymond Turpin, Clinical and Executive Director of The Pearl Institute, about psychedelic-assisted trauma therapy. Dr. Turpin shares his path into MDMA research, how his team became an expanded access site treating four clients, and why his view of ketamine evolved through clinical experience.

Karen Sprinkel is an individual and family trauma therapist with over 30 years of practice experience. As a licensed therapist in multiple states, she combines modalities, including EMDR, Brainspotting, Somatic Experiencing, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to support clients healing from complex trauma. Karen is also a continuing education provider and the author of The Thriving Self.

As more clinicians and healers turn to ketamine, MDMA, and other medicines to heal trauma, the line between therapeutic experiences and therapy often blurs. How can practitioners ensure that these experiences heal rather than harm?

According to trauma clinician Karen Sprinkel, trauma healing requires both depth and discernment. She cites experiential training, client choice, and flexibility as the pillars of safe psychedelic work. Karen also encourages clinicians to recognize trauma across cognitive, somatic, and spiritual dimensions and to prioritize integration and humility in their practice. Effective healing is intentional, informed, and compassionate.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes sits down with individual and family trauma therapist Karen Sprinkel to talk about trauma-informed psychedelic care. Karen explains what defines a trauma specialist, how to safely prepare clients for psychedelic sessions, and the importance of flexibility and client agency in healing trauma.

Ken Weingardt, PhD, is the Director of Training and Education and a Clinical Advisor at Heroic Hearts Project, which provides psychedelic psychotherapy for veterans. He has over 20 years of experience designing and implementing web and mobile health programs at the US Department of Veterans Affairs. As a licensed clinical psychologist, Ken provides psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy treatments to veterans.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is evolving from a fringe theory to a promising modality for healing trauma, particularly among veterans. As traditional treatments often fall short, many are wondering how these medicines can be integrated safely and effectively into clinical and community settings. What makes psychedelic work transformative, and what safeguards make it ethical?

According to psychologist Ken Weingardt, the key lies in preparation, integration, and respect for each client's cultural and emotional context. He recommends understanding moral injury, survivor's guilt, and the unique reintegration challenges veterans face. Additionally, clinicians should pair evidence-based methods with peer support and recognize that healing begins after the medicine.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes sits down with Ken Weingardt, PhD, Director of Training and Education and a Clinical Advisor at Heroic Hearts Project, to discuss how psychedelics support veteran healing. He describes the use of MDMA therapy for trauma, the role of peer support in recovery, and why integration and community are essential for lasting transformation.

Matt Zemon is the Co-founder and CEO of HAPPŸŸ, a mental wellness company focused on psychedelic-assisted ketamine therapy. In his role, he leads the company's vision to expand access to safe, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted ketamine therapy through telemedicine. He also oversees clinical quality, technology innovation, and integrative care programs that blend neuroscience, mindfulness, and digital tools. He is the author of multiple books, including Psychedelics for Everyone, Beyond the Trip, and The Veteran's Guide to Psychedelics. As a leader in psychedelic wellness, Matt consults with clinicians and spiritual practitioners to integrate psychedelic protocols into thoughtful healing frameworks.

Psychedelics are transitioning from underground traditions into mainstream clinical use, sparking both excitement and debate. How do these medicines hold psychosocial and spiritual significance that modern practices should embrace?

Psychedelic wellness leader Matt Zemon argues that while clinical research is critical, the vast majority of psychedelic use occurs outside medical models. He highlights the role of community, integration, and spiritual connection in healing. Rather than relying on sterile clinical settings, Matt advocates for intentional, compassionate spaces that nurture meaningful transformation. He maintains that although these medicines are catalysts for change, they are not standalone cures.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes sits down with Matt Zemon, Co-founder and CEO of HAPPŸŸ, to discuss the intersection of science, spirituality, and community in psychedelic work. Matt shares how group settings reinforce interconnectedness, how psychedelics help people align with themselves, and how ketamine can foster transformation and spiritual experiences.

Licia Sky is the Co-founder and Global Ambassador of the Trauma Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization advancing research, education, and treatment in trauma and healing. As a somatic educator, artist, singer-songwriter, and bodyworker, she trains mental health professionals to use movement, writing, theater exercises, voice, and meditation as tools for attunement, healing, and connection. With over 25 years of practice, Licia's work integrates body-based therapies, polyvagal theory, parts work, and trauma-science research to help individuals recover from emotional and physiological dysregulation.

Creating a safe space for people processing deep trauma is both an art and a discipline. Therapists working with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy must help clients navigate intense emotions and memories by ensuring they feel secure and supported. What practices can therapists leverage to foster trust and transformation?

Somatic educator and trauma expert Licia Sky emphasizes deep, agenda-free presence. Authentic attunement begins with the client noticing their bodily sensations and slowing the pace of interaction to invite others into awareness. Through slow curiosity, facilitators can encourage clients to stay with physical sensations before forming mental narratives, allowing trauma to surface without overwhelm. Licia also warns against viewing psychedelics as a quick fix and underscores the need for careful preparation and integration to turn profound experiences into lasting growth.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes sits down with Licia Sky, Co-founder and Global Ambassador of the Trauma Research Foundation, to talk about embodied trauma healing and psychedelic therapy. Licia explores how slowing down and cultivating temporal awareness creates safety, how slow curiosity helps clients process trauma safely, and why integration before and after psychedelic work is critical for meaningful, lasting change.

Rutger Engels is the Co-founder and Director of Senz, a treatment center for anxiety and depression in the Netherlands. He is also a Professor of Developmental Psychopathology at Erasmus University Rotterdam, where his research centers on early substance use, depression, and anxiety in youth. Previously, Rutger served as CEO of the Trimbos Institute, which is the Netherlands' national mental health and addiction institute.

Shiva Thorsell is the Co-founder and Clinical Psychologist at Senz. With over 25 years of experience in specialized mental healthcare, she serves as a senior instructor and supervisor in the postgraduate training of health psychologists. Shiva is skilled in therapeutic approaches, including Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP), Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), body-oriented mentalizing, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

In the evolving field of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, new treatments and models of care are challenging traditional approaches to mental health. How can an intensive, multidisciplinary method provide lasting breakthroughs for people struggling with depression, trauma, and anxiety?

Mental health researcher Rutger Engels and clinical psychologist Shiva Thorsell advocate for a combination of evidence-based methods and innovative practices like ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. They maintain that individualized, modular treatment programs allow them to tailor care for each client. Rutger and Shiva also emphasize intensive approaches, structured group therapy, and lifestyle interventions like running as key tools for deep and lasting change. These research-driven, yet compassionate treatment models can open new pathways to recovery.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes sits down with Rutger Engels and Shiva Thorsell, Co-founders of Senz, to talk about building a multidisciplinary clinic that integrates psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. They discuss the importance of individualized modular treatments, how intensive programs foster deeper healing, and how to integrate ketamine-assisted psychotherapy responsibly.

Will Van Derveer, MD, is the Co-founder of Integrative Psychiatry Institute, a practice that trains clinicians in holistic mental health care. He is also the Medical Director of the Integrative Psychiatry Healing Center, which provides holistic mental health care. With over 20 years of experience in psychiatry, Dr. Van Derveer specializes in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, somatic techniques, EMDR, and internal family systems. He has also co-authored research on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy and was a co-investigator in the Phase II clinical trials sponsored by MAPS.

Many mental health practitioners feel limited by conventional psychiatry's narrow approaches, which often leave patients struggling despite treatment. While medication and talk therapy can help, some individuals remain stuck in cycles of trauma, depression, or anxiety that resist these methods. How can integrative approaches and altered states of consciousness offer a more effective path to healing?

According to holistic psychiatrist Dr. Will Van Derveer, expanded states of consciousness like those induced by MDMA, ketamine, or psilocybin can help patients break free from rigid thought patterns and reconnect with a deeper sense of self. He maintains that cultural humility, ethics, and integration work are crucial for achieving long-term results. Dr. Van Derveer also guides practitioners to slow down, stay curious, and avoid imposing their personal beliefs on clients.

Tune in to this episode of Living Medicine as Dr. Sandy Newes welcomes Dr. Will Van Derveer, MD, Co-founder of Integrative Psychiatry Institute, to discuss integrating psychedelic therapy into mainstream mental health care. Dr. Van Derveer talks about training practitioners in psychedelic work, matching various psychedelic medicines to patient needs, and maintaining curiosity in facilitation.

Dr. 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.

Those who have experienced trauma often struggle with self-criticism, isolation, and reliving painful experiences. Even when we know self-compassion matters, it can feel abstract or blocked by internal resistance. How can we transition from self-judgment and disconnection toward a sense of safety, love, and acceptance?

According to clinical psychologist and mindfulness expert Dr. Ron Siegel, self-compassion can facilitate personal healing and therapeutic outcomes. The three counteractions to self-criticism and isolation are kindness, humanity, and mindfulness, which can be accelerated by psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. When engaging in these therapy sessions, Dr. Siegel emphasizes the importance of preparation, skilled facilitation, and integrating these practices into daily life to support lasting change.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Ron Siegel returns to chat with Dr. Sandy Newes about cultivating self-compassion in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Dr. Siegel discusses the synergy between mindfulness and psychedelics, how secure attachment informs healing, and how to bring compassion into the body.

Gita Vaid, MD, is the Co-founder and Medical Director of the Center for Natural Intelligence, a multidisciplinary laboratory specializing in psychedelic psychotherapy innovation and clinical practice. As a board-certified psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, she was trained by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelics Studies (MAPS) to practice ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. Gita is also the Director of Psychedelic Awareness at The Chopra Foundation and a lead instructor at The Ketamine Training Center.

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is a powerful modality for healing trauma, deepening self-awareness, and fostering emotional transformation. Yet, it requires profound therapeutic relationships, boundaries, and integration. What does it take to facilitate psychological healing with psychedelic therapy?

Psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Gita Vaid takes a relational and process-oriented approach to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can reactivate emotional connection, surface suppressed trauma, and promote personal growth when guided by an attuned therapeutic relationship. Gita emphasizes the value of clinician self-development, stating that true transformation occurs when the therapist and patient engage in a co-healing process. She advises practitioners to trust the unfolding nature of psychedelic work, listen carefully to their clients' inner narratives, and prioritize building safety and intimacy throughout treatment.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes interviews Gita Vaid, MD, Co-founder and Medical Director at the Center for Natural Intelligence, about the clinical and relational depth of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Gita discusses attachment repair, the shift from trauma identity to well-being, and how music and innovation can enhance the healing process.