Daytryp Health

How to Find Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Near Me: A Guide

It’s no wonder that the words “psychedelic assisted therapy near me” have become an increasingly popular Google search. People are learning more and more about how psychedelics can help address mental health issues like addiction, PTSD and depression, and they’re curious about accessing these benefits in their hometowns.

The benefits of psychedelics for use in therapy are innumerable. Research is accumulating and new studies are constantly being published highlighting the effectiveness of psychedelic drugs in treating mood disorders, addiction, and other diseases. Particularly Psilocybin Assisted Therapy.

A quick Google search yields tens if not hundreds of results for ketamine clinics and therapists—how do you choose which one is legitimate? Are there clinics available for other substances like psilocybin and DMT? In this article, we’ll tell you a little about why people are using psychedelics, as well as how you can access an assisted therapy session, and how to choose the best psychedelic clinic for your needs. 

What is Psychedelic Assisted Therapy? 

Psychedelic assisted therapy utilizes a specific psychedelic substance (like ketamine, MDMA or Psilocybin), typically administered by medical practitioners and/or therapists who are present throughout the entire experience. Medical practitioners, universities, and research hospitals are using psychedelics to learn about the brain and assess the long-lasting benefits of psychedelic assisted therapy. 

Plants and substances derived from plants have been used for thousands of years—both for pleasure and healing purposes. Non-plant derived psychedelics, such as LSD and ketamine, were discovered in more recent history and were first synthesized in 1938 and 1962, respectively. 

Research into the healing properties of psychedelics tapered off in the 1950s jump-started again in the late 1990s and is currently picking up momentum again. There is now a lot of research indicating that therapy utilizing the consumption of psychedelic substances is effective at treating several types of mental illnesses including PTSD, anxiety, addiction, and depression

patient lying down during therapy, how to find psychedelic assisted therapy near me

Psychedelic assisted therapy makes use of a moderate to high dose of a psychedelic to create an “overwhelming and transcendent experience,” which can often help improve mental health, especially for conventional treatment resistant conditions. Some find that these sessions are a better alternative than prescribed antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication that has a wide range of potential side effects including fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, constipation, and suicide. 

Psychedelic Assisted therapy may be a single session, or several sessions over the course of a few months, depending on the needs of the participant. It is often combined with integration sessions both before and after the psychedelic experience. 

Most psychedelic assisted therapy clinics are run by medical practitioners (MDs, DOs, or Psy-Ds as examples) and sometimes complete additional training with psychedelic focused organizations such as the California Institute of Integral Studies, Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), or the Usona Institute. However, some are run by Shamans and plant medicine experts.

These practitioners have varying levels of experience administering and experiencing psychedelic substances themselves, so due diligence is recommended to find the best option for you. We advise you to only work with practitioners or shamans who have consumed these substances themselves so they understand what you will be going through. 

Are you one of the many people who might benefit from utilizing psychedelics to access your subconscious thought processes and patterns or better manage a mental health issue? Let’s look at how you can find psychedelic assisted therapy—wherever you are in the US. 

The Current State of Psychedelic Assisted Therapy: An Overview

Currently, the only legal psychedelic-assisted therapy in the US, meaning consuming a psychedelic substance in the presence of a licensed mental health professional, is ketamine-assisted therapy. This is because ketamine is a Schedule III drug (approved for off-label use) on the Federally Controlled Substances List, while most other psychedelic substances are Schedule I. 

However, many local and state municipalities have decriminalized certain psychedelics, which reduces the risk of possession and use. Psilocybin-assisted therapy will be legal in the State of Oregon, but the program won’t come online until 2022 at the earliest. This is why many people seeking intentional psychedelic use will be hard pressed to find a licensed mental health professional (i.e., therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist) who can also serve as an in-person guide or trip sitter during the experience itself. 

That limits your options to the following:

  1. Ketamine or cannabis assisted therapy within the US
  2. An international retreat where psychedelics are legal
  3. Underground therapists & shamans
  4. US-based psychedelic guides and trip sitters

We believe that it is a fundamental human right to commune with plant medicine and psychedelic substances for healing, regardless of whether you prefer to work with a licensed mental health professional or not.

 

Legal Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Options

So, psychedelics have caught your attention and you’ve been wondering, “how can I find psychedelic assisted therapy near me?” If you had asked this question a decade ago, you would have run into many dead ends. 

However, thanks to the tireless efforts of researchers and the growing psychedelic community, accessing psychedelic assisted therapy is easier than ever before. Because many of these psychedelics are still considered illegal substances, some types of psychedelic therapy (with use of the drugs themselves) are illegal in the US outside of clinical studies. That said, there are still some viable legal alternatives with more coming online in the future. 

U.S. Based Psychedelic Assisted Therapy

Psilocybin and other plant medicines are now decriminalized in many cities and states across the USA currently. There are bills approved for therapeutic use of psilocybin coming in the next couple of years. There are just two legal options for psychedelic assisted therapy in the United States: ketamine assisted therapy and cannabis assisted therapy. Psilocybin Therapy near me is only available via churches and research facilities in Arizona and Oregon.

Ketamine assisted therapy

Ketamine has been approved by the FDA as an anesthetic for nearly half a decade. Recent clinical trials demonstrating benefits in treating mood disorders has meant that ketamine can also be administered for “off-label uses.” Even without appropriate FDA classification for ketamine as a medicine, health providers have been using ketamine for years to treat Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and PTSD.

vials of liquid ketamine in spiral, how to find psychedelic assisted theapy near me

For many in the psychiatric community, ketamine is nothing short of a ground-breaking treatment. Ketamine-assisted therapy is a rapidly growing field and the combination of ketamine with psychotherapy has produced lasting changes when it comes to PTSD, anxiety, and depression. 

Ketamine has a response rate of 60-75% when it comes to antidepressant effects. In particular, therapists are excited about ketamine’s potential in treating the 1% of Americans who have treatment-resistant depression. There are now hundreds of ketamine clinics around the US, and just last year, the FDA approved esketamine, a nasal spray to be used with conventional antidepressants. 

Ketamine assisted therapy will provide a much more intense psychedelic experience than cannabis therapy, which we address in the following section. It is best for people who have a stubborn chronic condition that is resistant to other forms of treatment. 

Cannabis assisted therapy

The medical use of cannabis dates back to 1838—when it successfully treated rheumatic pains, tetanus, and epilepsy. Since then, cannabis (both THC and CBD) has been studied for treatment potential with multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic pain, schizophrenia, sleep disturbance, Tourette syndrome, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, PTSD, and social anxiety. With the uptick in states legalizing both medical and recreational marijuana, the US has welcomed several cannabis clinics and therapists. 

An estimated 3-5% of the global population has experimented with cannabis and its entheogenic or spiritual use dates back to more than 3,000 years ago. Cannabis plays a role in psychotherapy for some of the same reasons it was historically used. 

When properly used in a therapeutic setting, heightened awareness and reduced inhibitions may work as a “truth serum,” bringing difficult thoughts and feelings to the forefront for healthy reflection and processing. Dose, strain, set, and setting are all important for making the most out of an experience with cannabis, and a cannabis assisted therapist can help you optimize all of these. 

cannabis weed in glass jar, how to find cannabis assisted therapy near me

Cannabis assisted therapy is a great option for people who are looking to introduce plants into their therapy sessions without having a full psychedelic trip. Cannabis is considered an “ally plant” rather than a “teacher plant,” making it gentler than other psychedelic substances. 

Traveling Outside of the U.S. for a Trip

If you’re seeking psychedelic assisted therapy with a substance other than ketamine or cannabis, your only legal option (currently) is to go overseas or Mexico. While the US has yet to recognize that the ban on some of these psychedelics should be lifted, fortunately that doesn’t apply everywhere. 

Some countries recognize the sacramental value of psychedelics, so while they’re technically illegal, they are allowed in traditional use. Other countries have never made psychedelics illegal, and even if they have (in the case of Portugal), they typically don’t enforce it. 

Psilocybin retreats are common in Mexico, Jamaica, and the Netherlands. San Pedro and ayahuasca retreats can easily be found in countries like Colombia, Costa Rica, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru. While not as popular, practitioners offering 5-MeO-DMT can be found in Spain and Mexico. Iboga treatment centers have opened recently in Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, and Portugal. 

These psychedelic retreats are more ceremonial in nature as opposed to 1-on-1 style Western psychedelic assisted therapy. That means international retreats are a better option for those seeking a more indigenous, ceremonial, and spiritual experience. 

Though these international trips are a legal option, several things must be considered before embarking on this type of journey. In addition to travel logistics and taking time off work, vetting, and reviewing psychedelic retreat and spiritual centers can be difficult from afar. 

yurt retreat in forest, how to find psychedelic assisted therapy near me

Psychedelics can put the user in a vulnerable condition, both mentally and physically, so utmost care should be taken to find a safe and reputable place. We’ll explain more on how to do this in the next section.

How to Actually Choose Which Option is Right for You

Now that you know which psychedelic assisted therapy options exist, it’s time to choose the path that’s best for you. We know it can be daunting to choose which of the hundreds of clinics is a good fit for you personally. That’s why we at Psychedelic Professionals have put together this guide to help you find a trusted, legal, psychedelic assisted therapy clinic that fits your unique needs.

  1. Initial Search

In addition to performing a search on Google, there are sites like MAPS and Retreat Guru that will help you identify legitimate psychedelic assisted therapy practitioners. We suggest using whatever resources at your disposal to search for options that meet your parameters. Using this as a starting point, you can then apply the filters below to narrow down your results.

  1. Determine Your Desired Outcome

What is your desired outcome? It’s important to choose a substance and a therapist that can help you achieve your desired outcome. Psychedelics like ketamine are better at treating depression, whereas substances like MDMA may be better served for treating PTSD.

It is also worth noting that therapists have different specialties. Some therapists specialize in addiction, while others specialize in trauma, anxiety, or stress reduction. We suggest choosing a therapist that specializes in treating your condition using psychedelics. 

  1. What is Your Budget

Like every professional service, psychedelic assisted therapy is provided at a variety of different price points. Ketamine assisted therapy is generally the most expensive form of psychedelic assisted therapy in the U.S, costing hundreds of dollars for a single session. Plus, it may require multiple treatments to get your desired result. Cannabis provides a far cheaper alternative. 

International retreats vary in price, but with airfare, the price can exceed ketamine assisted therapy locally. The upside to international retreats is that your money goes further—the retreat price often includes accommodations, food, and activities. Plus, you get to choose your psychedelic of choice. This makes retreats the most immersive option that certainly provides immense value, but the cost for these international trips usually starts at around $1500. 

  1. Which Therapy Modality is Best for You?

There are hundreds of different therapeutic modalities: somatic therapy, transpersonal therapy, shamanic healing, gestalt therapy, EMDR, brainspotting, hypnosis…the list goes on. It’s important to choose a therapist that’s using a modality that resonates with you. 

A quick Google search will provide insight into the nuances of each modality. There is no right or wrong choice, it’s simply choosing a modality that you would like to employ on your quest for healing. 

  1. Reviews & References

We absolutely suggest reading reviews or asking for previous client references prior to moving forward with a therapist. If the therapist is unable to provide reviews or references, that is a red flag. 

Transparency is of the utmost importance when doing psychedelic assisted therapy. After all, you’re essentially putting your psyche in the hands of another person. It is critical that you feel comfortable and safe with this person.

  1. Availability

Given the popularity of psychedelic assisted therapy, many therapists have long waitlists. This means you could wait months before engaging with the therapist of your choice. If time is of the essence, it’s important that you find a therapist who can help you quickly. That may mean sacrificing your first pick for someone else who is also qualified and immediately available but may be located further away. 

  1. Location

For those of you located in major metropolitan areas, you’ll have plenty of psychedelic assisted therapy options at your disposal. If you live in a more rural area, your options will likely be slim. However, assuming you have a vehicle, you’ll likely be able to drive to the nearest metro area to find the services you seek. 

As we mentioned above, if you’re willing to travel by plane, your options increase significantly. There are international retreats of all types in many different countries. You may find that a country you’ve always wanted to visit hosts psychedelic retreats.   

  1. Questions to Ask

There are some crucial due diligence questions we suggest asking during your discovery process. Our recommendation is to schedule an initial consult with the clinics or therapists that are still on your list and ask them the following:

  • What is your personal experience with psychedelics? (We only suggest doing psychedelic assisted therapy with therapists who have ingested the substance themselves)
  • Why do you do this work?
  • Have you successfully helped someone with [YOUR DESIRED OUTCOME]?
  • What modalities do you specialize in?
  • How many sessions do you think it will take to achieve my desired result?
  • Do you do preparation and integration services as well? (In our opinion, preparation and integration is non-negotiable, but it can be done with a different practitioner if needed)
  • Who on your staff would I be working with and what relevant experience do they have? (If possible, request to meet with these individuals before making your decision) 
  • Do you have both male and female therapists available? (Some therapists will practice as a male/female duo)
  • Is your staff available outside of assisted therapy sessions in case of emergency situations? 
  • What safety and harm reduction practices do you have in place? 
  • What are your payment terms, and do you accept insurance? 
  1. Use Your Intuition

The final step is to use your intuition. Pay attention to what you feel in your gut as you’re having discovery calls with potential clinics and therapists. If you don’t feel good after the conversation, do you really want to work with them? You are seeking this person out for healing—they’re behavior and presence should reflect that. Also remember that it is your right to choose the best practitioner for you, and this includes the right to information and to ask questions.

By addressing the major points above, you’ll increase the likelihood of finding the best practitioner, therapist, or clinic in your local area. 

Underground Psychedelic Assisted Therapy

It is worth noting that there are some therapists providing underground psychedelic assisted therapy—meaning they are performing therapy with illegal psychedelic compounds like psilocybin and DMT. These therapists are risking their license to provide a service that many patients truly need. 

man upset in therapy, how to find psychedelic assisted therapy near me

Should you choose to explore this option, please ensure that you are vetting the practitioner to the best of your ability.

Legal Alternatives to Psychedelics

Other legal options involve altered states of consciousness—without consuming any substances. Since it was developed by Stanislav and Christina Grof in 1975, Holotropic Breathwork has taken the world by storm. Holotropic Breathwork was designed to provide the effects of MDMA, ayahuasca, psilocybin, and LSD through hyperventilation and music. 

It’s as effective as psychedelics in causing a therapeutic and transpersonal experience, and has been demonstrated to assist patients with various psychological problems. Those interested in holotropic breathwork should seek medical advice to ensure there are no preexisting conditions that may increase risk, such as respiratory or circulation issues. There are also other ways to enter the psychedelic realm without actually taking a drug.

Integrating the Psychedelic Experience

Although it’s not quite the same as psychedelic assisted therapy, psychedelic integration utilizes the help of a trained professional to help you make sense of your journey after the trip itself. That is one of the services we offer at Psychedelic Passage—the other is trip sitting with an emphasis on harm reduction. We are a collective of trained guides that can provide you with actionable knowledge on how to reduce harm, increase effectiveness, and help you integrate your psychedelic experience into everyday life. 

While 84% of participants in a psilocybin study ranked the experience as one of the top five most meaningful of their lives, the long-term benefits achieved might not have been possible without the support of a coach or therapist. Psychedelic experiences can provoke an array of feelings and emotions—some joyous, some confusing, some downright terrifying. But they’re all worth analyzing, and an integration specialist can help you do just that, even remotely. 

We get it, the psychedelic experience is huge; and you may be left with more questions than answers after your trip. If you want to put your mind to ease after discovering new thoughts and emotions during your experience with psychedelics, we can put you in touch with someone trained to help. Reap the full benefits of psychedelics and schedule a free call with a knowledgeable trip sitter today

The Future of Psychedelic Assisted Therapy

While it’s easy to get excited about where psychedelics stand now, that excitement will only continue to grow. We’re at a very special moment in human history—one where we’re finally beginning to discover the secrets that indigenous populations have known for millennia. 

We’re starting to see psychedelics as an important tool in promoting mental health and wellbeing. Cannabis and ketamine are already being used in therapy. Legalization for treatment is just around the corner for MDMA and psilocybin, too. We’re sure to see a therapeutic future that is more effective and embracing of these powerful psychedelic medicines. 

If you’re still confused and looking for personalized guidance on your journey to heal with psychedelics, we can help. Please send us an email and let’s explore this more, together.

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Yvé Dizes

Tryp Guide

Grounded in decades of extensive training with shamans, yogis, and spiritual teachers, Yvé
leverages her innate ability to channel the quantum field to provide profound insight and
transformation for her clientele. Her work is deeply influenced by her daily meditation practice, esoteric research, quantum mechanics, and J.R.R. Tolkien… only partially a joke!

Yvé’s advocacy for Divine Neutrality inspired her exploration into the transformative potential of Ketamine therapy. She delights in her role as a Tryp Guide, where she creates and holds sacred space, promoting transformation through this unique modality. Graced with an amazing partner and soul community, Yvé is humbled and honored to share her life’s purpose with you.

Will Burkhart

Tryp Guide

Will has spent his life seeking truth and exploring the limits of what is possible. This has led him to many extreme experiences—Marine Corps combat veteran, US Army Airborne and Ranger schools, wilderness adventure racing, high altitude mountaineering, ultra-endurance events, holistic healing modalities, psychedelics, and coaching. 

Will is a Co-Active Certified Professional Coach and a High Flow Performance Coach. He specializes in integrative psychedelic coaching and facilitating psychedelic experiences. He is relentless in his passion to explore life’s magnificence.  It’s an ongoing journey and one he would be honored to share with you as a Tryp Guide.

Steve Judson

Tryp Guide

While everyone has a different path to happiness, the majority of people encounter comparable experiences along the way. Examples include honesty, kindness, compassion, generosity, concern for oneself, others, and nature; respect for life; a desire to make a good difference; and many more.

Steve’s involvement, acceptance, and advocacy of the use of entheogenic substances as sacraments for direct spiritual experiences is what has inspired him to work hard to create peace and harmony in both his own life and the lives of those around him.

Steve has made a commitment to rejuvenating his own spiritual life using humanist resources and a humanist perspective. With an emphasis on the mysticism of the unitive experience and the practical use of entheogenic rituals for learning about and developing human consciousness to create a direct connection to the Divine within, Steve has been studying and using a variety of transformational tools. Each has acted as a catalyst in his own consciousness, resulting in profoundly life-altering experiences that have gradually revealed Steve’s true self and pointed him in the direction of his true purpose in life.

Steve’s desire to be of service to others by coaching, mentoring, and guiding them through a shamanic methodology and the practical use of entheogenic rituals is the driving force behind his life’s work, passions, and interests.

Steve loves sharing the knowledge he has gained using many entheogenic sacraments and transformational tools that can help spark a shift in consciousness and result in a profound realization of one’s true nature. Steve also firmly endorses both the idea of cognitive liberty (the right to direct one’s own consciousness) and the safe and appropriate use of entheogenic sacraments for a direct spiritual experience.

Steve has put a lot of effort into learning about and developing the best techniques as a practitioner and guide to provide the right guidance, proper preparation, safe navigation, and holistic integration into the sacred work he performs, and he remains dedicated to his work through practice, mentorship, and study.

 

There is a prayer in Sanskrit, one of the oldest recorded languages dating back 7000–8000 years, that says, “Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu.” This means: “May all beings everywhere be happy and free. May the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and that freedom for all.” This is a truth Steve lives by every day.

Megan Schneider

Tryp Guide

Megan is passionate about holding a sacred space for others to explore healing connections between the mind, body, breath, and spirit. As a plant energy practitioner, essential oils specialist, and yoga teacher, she wholeheartedly believes in an individualized approach to health and the power of curating personalized integrative self-healing practices of your own. Megan creates space for others to explore the therapeutic benefits of psychedelic medicines, both from a physiological and metaphysical standpoint, while inspiring others remembrance of their divine beauty, purpose, and gifts. Through the art of intention, peaceful presence, and loving awareness she hopes to welcome you more deeply into accessing your innate power to heal from within.

Joel Newton

Tryp Guide

From a young age, Joel sought happiness in competitive sports, business, and relationships. Each accomplishment came with a fleeting sense of fulfillment causing another repeat of the same cycle. That same mysterious desire for acceptance led Joel to seek information in new and unfamiliar territories. Joel has found comfort in his study of past and current visionaries, such as Carl Jung, Dr. Richard Schwartz, Deepak Chopra, and Gabor Matè. Learning that love of oneself is the true path to peace. Joel honors medicines and substance along with meditation and self-care for the aid of self-discovery. He has found that nothing is more enjoyable than supporting others in their constant journey of growth. Healing himself and others has become his greatest gift and passion.

Nick Ghiz

Tryp Guide

Nick’s upbringing instilled in him the significance of giving, helping, and inspiring others. He understands that these invaluable gifts have the power to shift paradigms within one’s life. For him, being involved in someone’s transformative journey is a privilege. Deep within each of us lies the ability to discover peace and lasting happiness. Sometimes we just need someone to guide us along the way. Nick carries this responsibility close to his heart, knowing firsthand the vulnerability we experience when seeking help. He hopes to be a bright light throughout this magnificent adventure you are about to embark upon.

Stephanie Bernau

RN

Tryp Guide

Stephanie is a registered nurse helping to guide individuals in their journey towards wellness. Raised in Pima, Arizona and graduating from her hometown college, she has over 9 years of experience in pediatric emergency and trauma medicine. With her passion for health and involvement in the fitness community, Stephanie became a fitness coach in 2017. Dedicated to her own personal project of “unbecoming” and healing, Stephanie went on to receive her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Arizona State University in 2022, focusing on the evidence-based approach to integrating the mind, body, and spirit for optimal health and wellbeing. Stephanie is an advocate for integrative health and wellness, while honoring your journey by providing a compassionate and supportive space for healing. In her spare time you can find her exploring the sky with husband Jamie and their dog Coco.

Hanna Caldwell

RN

Tryp Guide

Hanna is from a small town here in Arizona. From the time she was a child, community has been a huge part of her life. She believe in total wellness and healing through mind, body and soul. This been a theme in her life, especially as an ER nurse and a nurse here at the clinic. Hanna loves helping others and blending western and holistic medicine to help others live to their greatest potential.

Ann Berardi

RN

Tryp Guide

Ann is a registered nurse with a passion for helping others find balance in wellness and health. After graduating with her BSN from Cleveland State University in 2013, she worked briefly as a progressive care cardiac nurse. During that time, she was trained in Usui Reiki and completed her master/teacher level training in 2014. She then devoted herself as a hospice nurse, supporting and coaching many individuals and their loved ones through the dying process. After several years, Ann transitioned her skills and desires to focus on helping individuals achieve optimal wellness with holistic therapies. She opened a small mobile IV infusion business in 2019, offering in-home infusion therapy focusing on prevention and health maintenance. She also became certified in medical aesthetics.
 
Her constant ambition as a nurse is in service and helping others activate their own healing for optimal wellness while living from their highest self. Her goal is to provide a calm and peaceful environment where individuals can relax into healing.
  
She grew up in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and has lived in sunny Arizona since 2015. She finds relaxation in the outdoors, hiking, kayaking, star-gazing and flying airplanes.

Alisia Malta

RN

Tryp Guide

Alisia graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2011. She has worked in both outpatient and inpatient settings during her 12 years as a RN. Her fascination with the human brain led her to become a specialist in Deep Brain Stimulation therapy. Alisia is also an artist and has been selling her work professionally for the last 10 years. Through several difficult life events, she experienced firsthand the healing power of creative expression. Her passions reside in health, psychology, art, and human connection. She is ecstatic to be part of the Daytryp team, and grateful for the opportunity to assist with the intentional use of psychedelic medicines for healing.

Nellie Bowers, RN

RN

Tryp Guide

Nellietha (Nellie) has been in healthcare for 18 years. She graduated with a Bachelors in Science from Chamberlain College of Nursing in 2018. She grew up in a family that prioritized alternative medicine and witnessed firsthand the profound impact natural remedies have on physical and mental health. As someone who has personally experienced the transformative effects of psychedelics, she is passionate about helping others find relief and healing through these alternative therapies. In her free time, she enjoys her animals, gardening, and being out in nature.

Jeff Kaplan

Jeff was born and raised 25 miles north of Chicago, IL. He graduated from The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1999 with a B.S. in Business Communications. Jeff has worked for several successful start-ups in the consumer and daily deal space, excelling in business development and customer service. He is a certified life-coach specializing in working with adolescents. As Daytryp’s Intake Coordinator, he takes great pride in being the first voice our clients hear when they call into the facility. He enjoys working on his spiritual self, doing voiceover work, spending time with his girlfriend in San Diego and taking his bulldog Walter on road trips across the country.

Dave Romanelli

Chief Vibe Officer

David Romanelli fuses ancient wellness practices with modern passions that give people accessible tools to overcome stress, focus their mind, and improve their relationships at work and home. David’s third book, Life Lessons from the Oldest and Wisest, is a reminder that countless professionals, parents, and partners have walked the earth before us. The book was inspired by his series of national events called DRINKS WITH YOUR ELDERS, that created a space for isolated elders to reengage with their community and share their life experiences with younger generations. His previous book, Happy is the New Healthy, was inspired by David’s friendship with a 111 year-old New Yorker. The book reached #1 on multiple Amazon and Apple Bestseller Lists.

Dave partnered up with Daytryp Health to create TRIPT, which is a psychedelic integration APP which is offered to all Daytryp clients.

Most recently, David was a featured voice on a new app from Calm, which brings peace of mind and healing techniques to the 1 of every 3 Americans touched by cancer. His daughter Cooper (aka SuperCooper) put leukemia in the rear view mirror and is David’s inspiration everyday to live with strength, passion, and joie de vivre. Throughout Cooper’s treatment, David found the power of psychedelic therapy as a profound way to heal the trauma and constant worry and reset to a positive path forward as parent, partner, and professional.. His 365 day platform, MEDITATE ON, compels his listeners to gain perspective on their journey and take time each day for reflection, quiet, and meditation. David has been featured in The New York Times, Food & Wine, Wall Street Journal, and Newsweek. You can learn more at www.DavidRomanelli.com

Furthermore, Dave is in charge of Daytryp Retreats, which brings people from all over the world to Phoenix, AZ for 3-4 day retreats to experience life-changing psychedelic journeys.

Dr. Joe Tafur

MD

Medical Advisor / Tryp Guide

Dr. Joe Tafur has dedicated his career to exploring complementary and alternative approaches to health management, particularly Amazonian plant medicines. He completed a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at UCSD Department of Psychiatry, and worked as a Family Physician in the US before exploring indigenous medicine in South America (SA). He helped found Nihue Rao Centro Espiritual, a traditional healing center in the Peruvian Upper Amazon, and underwent apprenticeship in Traditional Amazonian Plant Medicine and Shipibo curanderismo. In 2017, Dr. Joe founded Modern Spirit, a 501c3 nonprofit focused on demonstrating the value of spiritual healing in modern healthcare. In 2019, he and his colleagues opened the Ocotillo Center for Integrative Medicine. Dr. Tafur is also a leader in his spiritual community and leads plant medicine journeys across the continent. Joe is also a best selling author with his book, The Fellowship of the River.

Rebekah Bohucki

RN

Tryp Guide

Rebekah graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, then went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University. After working as an RN in the hospital setting for 13 years, Rebekah stepped away to pursue a career more oriented towards holistic healing and treating the root cause of disease. Rebekah is passionate about the powerful healing abilities of psychedelics and plant medicine and believes that with the right tools and guidance, our mind and body have the innate wisdom and ability to heal from the inside out. Rebekah is also on her path to becoming a Priestess, which includes training in the sacred art of holding energetic space. On her free time, she loves being a mom to her two beautiful children, traveling the world, hiking, yoga, and reading.

Kathryn Kiser

Tryp Guide
Kathryn, also known as Kat, has a deep love for nature and animals and a passion for the great outdoors. She cherishes her children and her dog, and enjoys being silly and surrounded by loved ones. She loves laughing and feeling free. Kathryn prioritizes taking care of both her heart and loves the activities that she chooses daily. Her personal journey towards self-love has been a long and challenging one, with many ups and downs. She spent a lot of her life living in fear and suffering with a closed heart. Choosing to heal through her traumas and open her heart have been the best adventures yet. Kat chooses to be a student of life and will continue on this path. As a participant in your healing journey, she holds space for you to feel into your own love and to witness your growth and healing. From her heart to yours, she looks forward to supporting you on your journey.

Lauren Krison

Lead Tryp Guide & Operations Manager

Lauren is a Phoenix native. She graduated from Arizona State University Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in 2007. After spending over a decade in corporate and start-up marketing, the burnout became unbearable, and she knew it was time to pivot to her true passion – wellness. From diet and lifestyle changes to subconscious reprogramming and psychedelic medicine, Lauren’s own wellness journey led her to discover healing modalities that transformed her life in every way imaginable. Her passion led her to the Institute for Integrative Nutrition where she graduated in 2021 as a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. As a Tryp Guide, Lauren is honored to hold space for others as they embark on a healing journey of their own.

Ajona Olsen

MSN, APRN, ANP-C, Medical Director

Tryp Guide

Ajona Olsen started her career in healthcare in 2001 as an RN in a hospital. She graduated from Arizona State University as a nurse practitioner in 2006, and worked in corporate medicine for fifteen years. In 2021, she began researching psychedelics as a powerful tool in healing and trained in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. Ajona opened her own practice at the beginning of 2022 to serve those on a journey toward healing and, in turn, has found happiness in the healing for herself and her loved ones. Ajona met Chris Cohn, founder of Daytryp Health, in June of 2022. She is very excited to act as Medical Director and partner with the incredible team at Daytryp. Outside of work, Ajona is an avid yoga enthusiast and enjoys spending time with her family.

Quinn Snyder

MD, FACEP

Chief Medical Officer

Quinn graduated from the University of Arizona College of Medicine in 2007. In 2010, after studying under Andrew Weil and traveling to India to study plant-based medicines, he completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at Drexel University. Quinn has continuously practiced EM at some of the top Departments in and around Phoenix. He possesses leadership experience in Data Analytics, Quality, Operations, and Business Development. During the pandemic, he was the manager of the largest Emergency Department in Arizona, and his experience was the subject of interviews on CNN, PBS Newshour, BBC World News, NPR, The Washington Post, and The Guardian. He has used Ketamine in his clinical practice and is committed to the emerging field of psychedelic medicines for healing.

Chris Cohn

MAC


Founder & CEO

Chris was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ. He attended Brophy College Preparatory, then graduated from the University of Arizona. Chris later attained his Masters Degree, Magna Cum Laude, in Addiction Counseling from Grand Canyon University. In 2008, Chris founded Scottsdale Recovery Center and Arizona Addiction Recovery Center, two of the most well-known drug and alcohol rehabs in the state. In 2019, after exiting the rehab space, Chris took a deep dive into the incredible world of psychedelic and plant medicines for his own healing journey. Daytryp Health was birthed from Chris’s ongoing desire and passion to help people heal, recover, and thrive with the intentional and careful use of psychedelic medicines.

Rudy Montijo

MS, LASAC, Consultant/Integration Therapist
Tryp Guide

Rudy Montijo lends his expertise in operations and business development consulting for Daytryp. He received his undergraduate from the University of Arizona, a master’s degree in Addiction Counseling from Grand Canyon University, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy training from Polaris Insight. Rudy worked under Daytryp’s founder and CEO, Chris Cohn, while operating and expanding Scottsdale Recovery Center from 2013-2014. He currently has an award-winning career in medical sales. He is a former D1 athlete, having played football at the University of Arizona. Rudy is a clinical therapist who is trained in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, actively races on the Ironman triathlon circuit, and is a certified yoga instructor. After helping others, Rudy’s greatest love is his two children, River and Savanna.

Esther Mathers

VP Operations

 

Esther is a seasoned designer with over 25 years of experience in the creation, management and development of calming spaces. A passionate and driving force behind any project, she thrives when curating environments that foster relaxation and well-being for both the mind and body. In addition, Esther has a talent for providing holistic solutions with innovative ideas to persistent challenges. She was honored to be commissioned by the Founder and CEO of Daytryp Health, Chris Cohn, to design the interior of their flagship location. The opportunity has been life-changing, transformative, and inspiring on many different levels. Esther currently lives in Mesa, AZ with her two children and enjoys outdoor activities, particularly those involving water.