Dr. Signi Goldman, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist and the Co-founder and Medical Director of Living Medicine Institute, which offers psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy training programs. As a certified provider for psychedelic-assisted therapy and research, she has practiced in various clinical settings, including hospital systems and alternative treatment settings. Dr. Goldman also serves as a Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist for Concierge Medicine and Psychiatry’s Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Program for Mental Health.

Dr. Sandra (Sandy) Newes, PhD, is a licensed psychiatrist and the Co-founder and Programming Director of Living Medicine Institute. With over 25 years of clinical experience as a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist, she specializes in anxiety, chronic stress, trauma, and recovery. Dr. Newes has provided ketamine-assisted psychotherapy through Concierge Medicine and Psychiatry since 2019. She 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.

In this episode…

Trauma therapy is a complex and often debated field, with professionals holding differing views on the best approaches. Some therapists prioritize exposure, helping clients directly engage with painful memories, while others focus on resourcing to build a sense of safety and well-being. When ketamine is introduced into trauma work, how does it shape the healing process, and what approach leads to the most effective outcomes?

Psychedelic therapy training professionals Dr. Signi Goldman and Dr. Sandy Newes and training students Barbara Connold, Barrie Bondurant, and Amy (Maiima) Nicholson explain that ketamine-assisted psychotherapy facilitates a balance between exposure and resourcing. Clients often toggle between processing traumatic material and deepening into states of well-being without direct therapist intervention. During ketamine-assisted therapy sessions, therapists should practice tethering to ensure clients feel supported, manage disassociation as a therapeutic tool rather than a barrier, and assess a client’s readiness for deeper trauma work. Dr. Goldman, Dr. Sandy, Barbara, Barrie, and Amy also underscore the importance of preparation and integration, ensuring clients develop resilience and maintain stability between sessions.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Signi Goldman and Dr. Sandy Newes interview Barbara Connold, PMHNP, of Ketamine Psychotherapy Associates, Barrie Bondurant, PhD, LC, and Amy (Maiima) Nicholson, about the intersection of ketamine and trauma therapy. Together, they share insights on managing client dysregulation, the relational aspects of ketamine-assisted therapy, and strategies for balancing exposure with resourcing.