Psychedelic Therapy
Background and Experience
My holistic approach to exploring the body and spirit is rooted in a rigorous, safety-based Western medicine background - I received my medical degree from Brown University and have eight years of clinical practice in the emergency room in NYC. Outside of formal schooling, I have been a lifelong student of meditation, attending a yogic ashram as a child, participating in numerous silent retreats in my 20’s and 30’s, and studying under numerous accomplished teachers. I hold certifications from Fluence, International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine, OSHO International, and Embodied Masculine, and currently practice elements of Kriya, Hatha, and Kundalini yoga, OSHO Active Meditations, sound meditation, Vipassana Meditation and Buddhism, Non-dual Tantra and Neotantra.
From the grounding, safety and rigor of my medical science practice and the loving and peaceful approach of my spiritual work, my philosophy towards psychedelics emerged. Psychedelics give us the tools to open up our minds and hearts in order to make lasting change. The synergy between my medical and spiritual foundations and my psychedelic exploration has proven to be the key in my work to making the deep, enduring and unprecedented change.
I have developed a scientifically-grounded approach to psychedelics that utilizes my spiritual background and practices to expand and integrate the learnings that come from the medicine. Rather than medicating someone “back to health,” in which I am the all-knowing master of medicine and you are the passive receiver of care, we will work together to create a personalized plan that engages deeply with your ongoing work into mind, body, prana/chi/energy and spirit, and calls upon psychedelics to allow you to drop deeper into your experience, harnessing their neuroplastic effect to catalyze lasting change.
I emphasize approaching individuals with respect, hold space for their unique spiritual beliefs, and avoid imposing any particular ideology. I focus on creating a non-judgmental space where participants feel free to explore and express their spirituality.
Joy is the Medicine!
As a long-time facilitator of meditation, breathwork, and numerous other ecstatic practices, I’ve helped to build a beautiful community of spiritual seekers and friends in NYC. This community has been essential to my own journey to become more awake, alive, and fearless. This is not a path for the faint of heart - it takes dedication and bravery to create real change. I would not have had the courage to grow in the way that I have without the deep and unwavering support of my community.
In addition to my facilitation, guidance and medicine work, I am the programming director for the Center for the Enlightenment Arts, where we host group programs including meditation, yoga, chanting, transpersonal embodiment, dance. When we work together, you will receive free access to all of CEA’s programming, where you can connect with others traveling intertwined paths. In community, we are never alone, and there is immeasurable deep learning to be received by witnessing the journeys and receiving the insights of others.
I am moving us beyond the narrative that we need to be fixed, or that we are unworthy of the love, connection and fun that we all so deeply desire until we have “completed” our work. How can we build joy right into the foundation, so that they accompany us on every step of the way?
I have found that by centering happiness, gratitude, love and compassion in community, we can make the process an easier one. We can only go so far alone - we are meant to be loved and supported, and to love and support! The power of group practices, in which we find expression, connection, ecstasy and reflection, radically expands how far we can go individually and together.
How I’m different from other psychedelic providers
Rigorous and thorough intake
We take a farsighted and holistic view to participants - we carefully consider your history and goals, and ensure that all participants have the capacity and ability to deeply commit to this transformative experience. Psychedelics are not a panacea. But used with prudence and accompanied by a drive to change, they can be incredibly transformational.
We require that individuals receive appropriate medical and psychological assessments before participating in such a program, and we welcome the opportunity to coordinate with therapists and psychiatrists about the prudence and efficacy of introducing these tools safely.
I conduct ongoing research and evaluation to continue innovating on my combined approach, and take into account data on participants’ mental health outcomes, spiritual well-being, and participant satisfaction to refine and improve the program over time.
Amplify your psychedelic experience
Incorporate the incredible vibrational tools from sound meditation to amplify your psychedelic experience.
Thanks to my deep training and experience with sound therapy and guiding meditations, I use either live sound performance or high-fidelity curated recordings to optimize your psychedelic experience.
Based on research by Robin Carhart-Harris and Alexandre Tannous linking the use of singing bowls, gongs, or binaural beats to enhanced meditative states and introspection during ketamine therapy, I often incorporate these media into ketamine therapy.
Integrated practices
Integrate mindfulness, meditation, and yoga practices into the overall program.
I recognize that individuals have unique needs and preferences, and, following detailed upfront communication with participants, I tailor practice plans to accommodate personal and spiritual beliefs, musical preferences for sound therapy, and individual sensitivities to ketamine therapy.
These practices can help individuals connect with their inner selves, enhance self-awareness, and provide a spiritual dimension to the treatment that is missing at most psychedelic clinics.
Create personalized routines to support individuals in integrating their powerful experiences into their daily lives, emphasizing the importance of ongoing self-care and personal and spiritual development.
Facilitated
Group Sessions
Facilitate group sessions where individuals can share their experiences, insights, and challenges.
Make friends and build community while learning about yourself.
Have fun, dance, sing, eat and explore with others on the path!
Stay tuned for exciting new developments in our suite of psychedelic offerings!