Meeting the Many Dimensions of Psychedelic Care
The modern-day resurgence of psychedelics stands at a fragile yet promising moment.
As these experiences become more accessible, the demand is growing for skilled practitioners who can navigate a landscape that is both relationally complex and spiritually and ethically nuanced. Facilitators are called to bridge the gap between evidence-based rigor and sacred context, ethical discernment and human connection, lived experience and professional standards.
This series invites you to explore these complexities through real-world dialogue, weaving together scientific knowledge, sacred traditions, embodied presence, and relational wisdom. In sessions focused on trauma-informed care, somatics, integration, boundaries, and right relationship, we begin to illuminate the deeper wisdom required to meet this moment.
Honoring the Many Ways of Knowing
More than a set of techniques, psychedelic practice is an invitation into complexity, where knowledge, intuition, and presence must all come into conversation.
To practice in this field is to hold space for the unseen, the not-yet-known, and the mysterious — and to recognize that healing and insight can emerge through many different pathways. It means honoring multiple forms of meaning-making and acknowledging that there are many valid, professional ways this work can be done.
This pluralistic orientation — toward many ways of knowing and not-knowing — is at the heart of The Synthesis Institute’s pedagogy. Rather than prescribing a single formula, we invite practitioners into a living, evolving relationship with this work, grounded in ethics, humility, and care.
Throughout this series, experienced practitioners, educators, and visionaries explore four essential dimensions that together form a holistic foundation for ethical psychedelic care:
EMBODIED WISDOM
We each have a wellspring of wisdom inside us that we can access by committing to a path of personal growth and development. Not only is this fundamental to living a meaningful and intentional life, but the capacity to access your own embodied wisdom is also a prerequisite for being able to create and hold space for others. Through this lens, you will establish and/or enhance ongoing somatic, spiritual, and self-reflection practices; examine your personal ethics; articulate your personal values; and integrate your learnings from the other lenses.
COGNITIVE WISDOM
This lens looks at the contributions of history, philosophy, and science to our modern-day understanding of psychedelics. From neuroscience to psychopharmacology to harm reduction to best practices for psychedelic facilitation, we explore what is knowable through study, observation, and thought.
SACRED WISDOM
This lens explores the variety of ways that people make meaning in their life, including spiritual, philosophical, nature-based, and wisdom-based approaches that cultures developed long before, and in parallel with, modern scientific thinking. It acknowledges the wisdom keepers who have helped people navigate liminal spaces for thousands of years as well as contemporary practices that help people connect to themselves, others, and the more-than-human world.
RELATIONAL WISDOM
Life happens in relationships. We are always relating to the people, organizations, or the environment around us. This lens asks us to develop a deeper awareness of our role in the greater ecosystem of our life. We look at ways to build relational skills; examine the role we wish to play with clients and in the psychedelic community; and explore how to be deliberate and intentional as we bring this important work into the world.
Meet Your Faculty
Join internationally recognized leaders as they share inspiring and thought-provoking insights to strengthen the professional foundations of both current and aspiring psychedelic facilitators.
Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris is a psychedelic neuroscientist, psychopharmacologist, psychologist, and Ralph Metzner Distinguished Professor of Neurology & Psychiatry at UCSF. He founded Imperial College London’s Centre for Psychedelic Research, leading groundbreaking studies on LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA for depression, PTSD, and addiction. His research explores how psychedelics alter brain function by enhancing neuroplasticity and disrupting habitual thought patterns, fostering psychological transformation. Dr. Carhart-Harris’ contributions have earned him recognition from TIME magazine's "100 Next" list and The Times' "Top Medical Scientists." He continues to pioneer research on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, shaping the future of mental health care.
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Ayize Jama-Everett holds three Master’s degrees: Divinity, Psychology, and in Fine Arts, Writing. He blends these degrees in all his work, often identifying as a guerilla theologian, a community-based therapist, and an afro-futurist in the same breath. He’s taught at Starr King School for the Ministry, California College of the Arts, The University of California, Riverside, Western Colorado College, and several private High schools for over twenty years. His expertise includes working with adolescents, the history of substance use in the United States, the history of Sacred Plant medicines in the Maghreb, the religious roots of political violence from Ireland to the Middle East, educational arts pedagogy, and Afrofuturism. He’s published four novels (The Liminal series) and two graphic novels (Box of Bones and The Last Count of Monte Cristo).
Dr. Rosalind Watts is a clinical psychologist, a mother, and a nature lover. She has become a leading voice in psychedelic research through her roles as Clinical Lead for Imperial College London's psilocybin trial and Clinical Director at Synthesis Institute. Noted among the “50 Most Influential People in Psychedelics” as well as one of the top “Top 16 Women Shaping the Future of Psychedelics”, her focus is on integration, harm reduction, and inclusion. She leads ACER Integration, an integration community that aims to provide experiential education around integrating singular experiences into the wider collective and connecting more deeply to the self, others, and nature.
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Charlotte Duerr James is a therapeutic coach, educator, and initiated Medicine Woman with over 15 years of experience working with Sacred Earth Medicines. As the founder of Liberation Training, Charlotte supports individuals and practitioners in decolonizing their personal growth and collective healing approaches. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, she has lived throughout South America, studying diverse healing traditions and facilitating hundreds of ceremonies. Her training includes Transpersonal Psychology and Indigenous Wisdom through the Awe Foundation, where she also serves as a mentor. Charlotte’s work bridges traditional wisdom and modern therapeutic practices, fostering empowerment and radical transformation.
Shannon Duncan is an entrepreneur and author of Present Moment Awareness and Coming Full Circle, where he shares his multi-year journey of healing trauma through psychedelics. His work reflects a deep commitment to supporting trauma survivors, offering practical insights into the transformative potential of psychedelic-assisted healing. Shannon’s advocacy stems from his belief in authentic living, which he describes as the most rewarding aspect of his personal growth. Based in California, Shannon enjoys creative pursuits like music and cooking and spending time with his family, friends, and dogs. He continues to inspire others with his experiences and passion for healing.
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Jules Evans is a philosopher, researcher, and author known for his work on ecstatic experiences and their impact on individuals and society. His books include Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations, The Art of Losing Control, and Breaking Open: Finding a Way Through Spiritual Emergency. Jules explores how people seek, interpret, and navigate ecstatic states, advocating for greater “ecstatic literacy” and better frameworks for journeys beyond the self. Over two decades, he has written for The Times, The Economist, The Spectator, BBC, and others. He is the editor of Ecstatic Integration, a sister project to The Challenging Psychedelic Experiences Project, which launched in 2022 to advance psychedelic ethics, integration, and harm reduction.
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Philip Carr-Gomm is a teacher, author, and former leader of The Order of Bards Ovates and Druids. With a background in psychology, psychotherapy, and spiritual traditions, Philip integrates Druidry with the Perennial Wisdom Tradition to explore the intersection of spirituality and psychology. He founded The Art of Living Well, an online school offering courses in mindfulness, Yoga Nidra, and personal transformation. Philip has authored several books on spiritual growth and creativity, drawing from decades of experience. Based in Sussex, England, he continues to foster healing and empowerment through meaningful connection and authentic practice.
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Dr. Devon Christie is a physician, therapist, and researcher specializing in psychedelic-assisted therapy for trauma and chronic pain. She co-authored a landmark study on MDMA-assisted therapy for chronic pain and is currently leading research on psychedelic therapies for conditions like fibromyalgia. Devon integrates mindfulness, Internal Family Systems, and somatic practices into her work, emphasizing holistic, trauma-informed care. She balances her clinical practice with her research, working at the forefront of psychedelic medicine in Canada. Certified in Relational Somatic Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Devon’s approach focuses on empowering individuals to reconnect with their innate healing intelligence.
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Chara Caruthers is a skilled facilitator with decades of personal and professional practice as an educator, therapist and lifestyle medicine practitioner working with groups and individuals. Her life and work is grounded in eastern spiritual traditions, ancient and indigenous wisdom and modern science and philosophy. She holds a professional certification in psychedelics, entheogens and transpersonal psychology, is a graduate of the Center for Holding Space Foundations program at the Leadership level, and is currently completing a master of science in transpersonal psychology. As a Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), certified Ayurvedic practitioner and psychedelic researcher, she is passionately dedicated to building bridges between ancient lifestyle traditions and modern western medical approaches to mental health and wellbeing. Chara believes that a loving and supportive community is the vital and often missing piece of the picture of wellbeing for so many. She recognizes that her work in the psychedelic space is that of building and empowering community as a container for embodying our wholeness.
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Courtney Watson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. She owns Doorway Therapeutic Services, a group therapy practice in Oakland, CA, serving the mental health needs of Black, Indigenous & People of Color, Queer folks, Trans, Gender Non-conforming, Non-binary, and Two-Spirit individuals. Guided by her ancestors, Courtney incorporates psychedelic-assisted therapy for those with multiple marginalized identities, emphasizing the need for BIPOC and Queer providers. She has trained at the Center for Psychedelic Therapies and Research at CIIS, MAPS, and Polaris Insight Center. Courtney is passionate about the impact of psychedelic medicines on marginalized identities and their role in decolonization. She believes the field needs to better address the unique needs of Communities of Color and is dedicated to bridging this gap. Her clinic, predominantly QTBIPOC providers, offers Ketamine Assisted Therapy. She founded Access to Doorways, a non-profit to subsidize ketamine/psychedelic therapy for QTBIPOC clients, and created a directory for Queer and BIPOC clients to connect with psychedelic therapists. Outside of work, she's watching Nickelodeon with her kids, working on her dissertation, or taking a nap!
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Sandra Dreisbach is an Ethicist and Psychedelic Ethics specialist with a MA, Phd in Philosophy. She is an Ethics Advisor active in Psychedelic Integration, Education and Advocacy. Sandra is the community leader of EPIC (Ethical Psychedelic International Community), Director of Ethics for Nectara, a psychedelic support ecosystem, Ethics Director for World Psychedelics Day 6/20, and former leader of the Santa Cruz Psychedelic Society. Sandra taught Bioethics at University of California, Santa Cruz, for ten years; worked for many years in the tech industry primarily at Apple; and is a Reiki Master.
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Atira Tan is a Singapore-born, Melbourne-bred Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) and trauma specialist focused on sexual abuse recovery. As an art therapist and trauma educator, she is dedicated to guiding individuals back to their innate power and wisdom through somatic trauma approaches, embodied education, and spiritual practices such as yoga and meditation. Her methods are infused with deep compassion, self-acceptance, and love. Atira has extensive training in yoga, meditation, and art therapy. She is the founder and CEO of Art to Healing, a charity that supports women and girls in Asia and the Pacific, and leads the global organization Yoga for Freedom.
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Heather’s passion lies at the intersection of IFS (Internal Family Systems) and Expanded States of Consciousness, particularly in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy. From 2015 to 2023, Heather operated Insight Counseling of Alexandria, LLC, specializing in parts work and supporting clients' integration of therapeutic medicine experiences. She has advanced through IFS levels 1-3 and served as a Program Assistant for various IFS trainings.
In 2019, Heather initiated a MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) sponsored Expanded Access site in Rockville, MD, for studying MDMA Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD, receiving her MAPS Therapist training. She has also trained with Compass Pathways, Fluence, and attended psychedelic conferences like MAPS 2023, Horizons, and SOAP.
In January 2022, Heather founded The Moxie School®, offering courses, workshops, and consultations for therapists, coaches, and guides in IFS Informed Psychedelic Assisted Therapy. She also organizes IFS Informed Retreats, providing transformative experiences within a supportive community.
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Dr. Rosalind Watts
Shannon Duncan
The Heart of Holding Space – Relational Foundations of Psychedelic Care
What happens in the space between protocol and presence? This conversation aims to unpack the crucial role of relationships and community in psychedelic healing work. In discussion with experienced practitioners and journeyers, we'll develop a deeper awareness of the practitioner's role in the greater ecosystem of psychedelic care. We'll explore the multifaceted nature of building relational skills and discuss how the quality of relationship influences both individual healing and community development in psychedelic spaces.
We’ll Explore:
- How therapeutic relationships and community shape healing outcomes
- The practitioner's role within the broader ecosystem of care
- How to be deliberate and intentional in bringing this work into the world while maintaining authentic connection and appropriate boundaries
Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris
Jules Evans
Beyond the Brain – Science and Evidence of Transformative Care
Where does science meet spirit in psychedelic healing? In an effort to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and therapeutic practice, we'll examine how historical and contemporary contributions from neuroscience, psychology, and clinical research shape modern practice. From harm reduction approaches to evidence-based protocols for psychedelic facilitation, we’ll explore what can be known through systematic study and observation, illuminating where scientific understanding enhances experiential wisdom and where mystery still prevails in this emerging field.
We’ll Explore:
- How scientific research and evidence-based practices enhance rather than diminish the depth of psychedelic work
- The complementary relationship between scientific knowledge and experiential wisdom
- How research informs safety and best practices in psychedelic care
Philip Carr-Gomm
Ayize Jama-Everett
Honoring the Sacred – Meaning-Making in Psychedelic Space
What is the role of sacred wisdom in contemporary psychedelic practice? In deep dialogue with experienced practitioners, we'll explore the various ways people make meaning in their psychedelic journeys, from spiritual and philosophical frameworks to nature-based approaches. We'll investigate how wisdom keepers and contemporary practices inform our understanding of connection to self and world and examine how traditional knowledge can respectfully inform modern therapeutic containers.
We’ll Explore:
- How various wisdom traditions and approaches to meaning-making inform contemporary practice
- The role of ceremony and ritual in creating effective therapeutic containers
- How practitioners can authentically engage with the sacred dimensions of psychedelic work
Charlotte Duerr James
Dr. Devon Christie
Embodying the Journey – Somatic Foundations of Psychedelic Care
How does embodied presence shape the container for transformation? Through rich dialogue with experienced practitioners, we'll examine the multifaceted role of embodiment in psychedelic spaces - from the practitioner's personal practices to the ways bodily awareness influences therapeutic presence. We'll explore how establishing and enhancing ongoing somatic practices supports both personal development and client care while investigating the relationship between embodied wisdom and ethical discernment in psychedelic work.
We’ll Explore:
- How embodied awareness fundamentally shapes the quality and safety of psychedelic facilitation
- How personal somatic practice and presence influence therapeutic outcomes
- The role of the body in ethical discernment and boundary maintenance
Chara Caruthers
The Practitioner’s Role: Nurturing a Safe Container Through Many Ways of Knowing
- Examine how nurturing many ways of knowing and not knowing in psychedelic care can improve the therapeutic process and foster safety.
- Explore the core competencies for safe practice, including epistemic humility, compassion, attunement, and curiosity for otherness.
- Identify common obstacles and challenges that practitioners face in establishing and maintaining ethical relationships with their clients, and explore strategies to mitigate them.
Chara Caruthers
Psychedelic Integration: Metabolizing Psychedelic Experiences into New Ways of Being
- Understand the role of integration in the psychedelic-supported healing process and explore various approaches that support positive client outcomes.
- Explore integration timelines and understand the difference between post-experience integration and continued integration.
- Identify examples of spiritual bypassing and explore mitigation strategies.
- Gain access to tools and resources to support integration work for clients and practitioners alike.
Courtney Watson
Risk Mitigation and Adverse Experiences: Preparing the Practitioner for Intentional Psychedelic Journeys
- Gain insights into how to identify and manage adverse experiences during psychedelic experiences, attending to the needs of marginalized communities.
- Create safety plans and best practices on emergency protocols and response strategies.
- Gain insights into how practitioners can prepare themselves mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually to guide psychedelic experiences.
- Understand how attending to the needs of marginalized communities benefits everyone and deeply informs standardized safety in psychedelic care.
Dr. Sandra Dreisbach
Ethics and ‘Right Relationship:’ Navigating Relational Boundaries and the Appropriate Use of Touch
- Gain insights into establishing and maintaining appropriate relational boundaries to ensure client safety and trust.
- Explore the appropriate and ethical use of touch in psychedelic care, including guidelines and best practices.
- Access the Synthesis Practitioner Code of Ethics to support ongoing ethical practice and conduct.
Atira Tan
Trauma-Informed Care and Somatics: Harnessing Somatic Awareness and Practices for the Psychedelic Experience
- Understand trauma in the context of psychedelic care and explore how trauma can present itself during psychedelic experiences.
- Gain insights into how somatic awareness supports practitioners in recognizing trauma.
- Explore ways to create and hold a trauma-informed container and how somatic practices can support both the practitioner and the client in the psychedelic experience.
- Access practical tools and resources that enhance trauma-informed and somatic practices in your psychedelic care work.
Heather Smith
Honing the Healing Container: Integrating IFS and Non-Directive Approaches to Harness Inner Healing Intelligence
- Gain an introductory understanding of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and its application in creating a non-directive healing container.
- Explore how practitioners can prepare and align themselves through their IFS work to be effective facilitators.
- Understand the practitioner's role in holding the container and facilitating what happens within it, ensuring a safe and supportive healing space.
- Access tools and resources that support the continuous development and integration of IFS and non-directive practices in psychedelic care.
