What a rich and meaningful day.

Yesterday began with a beautiful sunrise among the pines. I headed into the mountains to greet the Summer Solstice with spiritual director, Julie Mihevc and her adorable puppy labrador retriever. We watched as that ball of fire emerged on the horizon. We reflected on the abundance and vitality of Summer, as well as its tender companions, grief and loss. I don’t know about you, but without Julie, this outing might not have been on my radar. So I was grateful she initiated this special sunrise hike. 

Later, I joined the Psychedelic Science Conference 2025 at the Colorado Convention Center with another amazing human, my colleague and first psychedelic doula, Evonne. Among the many compelling offerings, a powerful session with psychedelic facilitator Namae Ntumae offered these deep insights:

• Transforming fear into love
• Psychedelics as guides to wholeness—not spiritual bypass
• The magic of being truly present with one another
• Learning to truly love our needs
• Beauty as a response to suffering
• The doorway, and courageous journey, to becoming Love itself

There were many clinicians, seekers, and yes—folks celebrating their love for sacred medicine in mushroom-print rompers. Among them, there was a sense of reverence for Ntumae’s voice. What struck me most out of all she said was how sacred medicine impacts our inner integration and healing. Mushrooms can help connect and integrate our inner environments bringing a rise to community consciousness. In other words, our internal healing benefits our external environments, beginning by being nourished by nature itself. But this inner healing requires courage, and an openness to know ourselves. To cultivate a seeing that often gets covered over by day to day stress and trauma.

From psychedelic practitioners everywhere, I hear it often: parts work is at the heart of psychedelic journeys. As well, this intersection of internal and relational healing is the heart of modern psychotherapy—from somatic therapy and trauma-informed care such as IFS and other parts-based modalities. But while many modalities talk about parts, IFS (Internal Family Systems) is unique in how it teaches us to be in relationship with them—to build trust, make space, and heal from the inside out. This is why IFS fits hand in glove for psychedelic-assisted therapy. IFS allows clients to process and integrate their experiences in a deeply personal and sustainable way.

And, this kind of internal integration is at the core of the therapeutic work I do. With survivors of complex trauma, we slowly peel back the protective coverings that have obscured the beauty within. As we do that, freedom emerges–like the quiet, strong beauty of the sun rising.

So it was an honor to witness these teachings among so many leaders in the field, including IFS founder Richard Schwartz.

And, to be reminded that at the core of any healing is a pilgrimage transforming fear into Love.

With any evidence-based modality, my goal remains the same: to support individuals in an authentic healing journey with presence, compassion, and respect for the complexity of the human system.

Grateful for the learning, the connection, and the continued unfolding of this work.