Ketamine

Illustration of a ketamine molecule with labeled atoms, showing carbon in teal, oxygen in dark blue, nitrogen in purple, and hydrogen in white, alongside text describing it as a dissociative anesthetic with chemical formula C13H16ClNO.

“I find myself in my worst states emotionally when I allow my darkest parts of self to become ME. They come disguised as great protectors, rulers of justice and truth; but given too much power, I  crumble underneath. My dark parts are neurotic and controlling. Their intent is to protect my greatest wounds, my greatest fears-fear of abandonment, fear of rejection, fear of not enough; but pretell-in that protection, they push everyone I love away…including ME.” KD

Ketamine is not a true psychedelic, but rather a dissociative. The therapeutic powerhouse to help us separate parts of ourselves, examine them and realign them with our healthy parts of ourselves. 

Psilocybin

Small stone statues with mushroom-shaped caps arranged on the ground among pine needles.

If we fail to face our shadows, they will end up owning and possibly even destroying us.  

Mushrooms vibrate and thrive from the darkness of the shadows, making them the ideal medium to guide us through our darkest shadows, to face them, to nurture them, to dance with them and appreciate them, and then to release them into the light. KD

Why Work With Me?

I offer a unique blend of over 20 years of psychotherapy experience, 12 years as a clinical herbalist, and extensive training in psychedelic-assisted therapy and integration.

I believe healing is most effective when the whole person is addressed—mind, body, and spirit. My approach combines evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including Jungian psychology, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and somatic-informed interventions, with personalized care tailored to your individual needs and goals.

Safety, preparation, and integration are the foundation of my work. I provide thorough screening, comprehensive preparation, and ongoing support to help clients transform meaningful experiences into lasting change.

Whether you are seeking relief from depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, or are pursuing deeper personal growth, I offer a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where healing, self-discovery, and transformation can unfold.

My role is not to tell you who to become, but to help you reconnect with the wisdom and healing capacity that already exists within you. Let me help guide you to your most profound self.

1. Safety and Tolerability

  • Psilocybin mushrooms are generally well-tolerated, with few side effects and low toxicity. Studies suggest that they have a low potential for addiction, unlike some other psychedelics and psychostimulants.

  • They are associated with a predictable duration of action (4-6 hours), making the experience manageable within a therapeutic setting. This is shorter than LSD (8-12 hours), MDMA (5-10 hours) which can make psilocybin sessions logistically simpler to structure and more accessible for clients and practitioners alike.

2. Profound Mystical and Emotional Experiences

  • Psilocybin mushrooms often lead to mystical experiences characterized by ego dissolution, feelings of unity, and connectedness. This depth of experience is thought to play a key role in the therapeutic benefits, such as improved mental well-being, greater life satisfaction, and decreased depression or anxiety.

  • These experiences often bring a unique combination of introspective and emotional revelations that can reveal core beliefs and traumas, allowing patients to gain insights and build emotional resilience.

3. Neuroplasticity and Lasting Therapeutic Effects

  • Many studies highlight that even a single psilocybin session can yield long-lasting positive outcomes, with effects persisting for months or even years  after the session. This durability is significant, as it suggests that intensive, prolonged treatment may not be necessary, lowering barriers to access.

  • In studies, psilocybin has been compared to SSRI resulting in similar efficacy in regard to passive coping by increased tolerance to sources of stress but stands out above traditional SSRI’s in that psilocybin actually has been shown to mediate active coping (actively addressing source of stress).  

  • Additionally, psilocybin has been shown to increase neuroplasticity, which may help break maladaptive thought patterns associated with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The heightened neuroplasticity can facilitate long-term shifts in perception and self-concept, aiding integration work post-session.

4. Spiritual and Cultural Connections

  • Psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of use in spiritual and cultural ceremonies, especially among Indigenous communities in Central and South America. This cultural heritage provides a grounded framework for therapeutic use, offering archetypal narratives that can help patients make sense of their experiences.

  • The spiritual connection often experienced with psilocybin can be especially beneficial for those seeking a sense of purpose or healing at a more existential level.

5. Suitability for a Range of Conditions

  • Psilocybin therapy has shown promise across various mental health conditions, including treatment-resistant depression, anxiety (especially in terminally ill patients), PTSD, and addiction (e.g., alcohol and smoking cessation). This broad applicability makes psilocybin a versatile tool in psychedelic-assisted therapy, potentially reaching a wide range of individuals seeking alternative healing approaches.

6. Gradual Onset and More Predictable Journey

  • The onset of psilocybin mushrooms tends to be gradual and more predictable, allowing therapists to guide patients through the initial stages of the experience and address any anxiety that arises early in the journey. This stability can make psilocybin more accessible, especially for patients new to psychedelics or apprehensive about the intensity of the experience.

7. More Accessible and Natural Option

  • As a naturally occurring psychedelic, psilocybin mushrooms can sometimes be perceived as a more accessible and “natural” option, which appeals to individuals seeking plant-based therapies.

By providing a manageable duration, predictable effects, and a versatile therapeutic framework, psilocybin mushrooms uniquely balance accessibility with profound therapeutic potential. When working with me and mushroom medicine I will offer a range of therapeutic services that are tailored to support your individual healing, self-discovery, and growth needs. By guiding you through this journey in your home, I find it creates a safe, supportive environment that allows clients to process and integrate the insights gained from their psilocybin experience.