Psychedelic Therapy
By Will Van Derveer
By Keith Kurlander
For a limited time, preorder the hardcover edition of Psychedelic Therapy and unlock access to a live summit with the authors, Gabor Maté, Michael Pollin, Melissa Ethridge, and Joan Borysenko. Learn more here.
Is traditional mental health care failing you or those you love? This comprehensive guide from integrative health experts Keith Kurlander, MA, and Will Van Derveer, MD, reveals how psychedelic therapy addresses deep-rooted trauma and offers hope for creating a life of balance, resilience, and meaning.
For those grappling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health challenges—and those who feel let down by a fragmented and failing mental health system—Psychedelic Therapy offers a hopeful, evidence-based exploration of a novel approach to healing.
Keith Kurlander, MA, and Will Van Derveer, MD, leaders in the field of psychedelic therapy and trauma treatment, address the limitations of today’s mental health care, explaining how a focus on symptom management brings little relief and leaves many patients still desperate for healing. Drawing on clinical expertise, client stories, and the latest research, they reveal how psychedelic therapy uniquely targets the root causes of suffering, particularly trauma, a critical yet often misunderstood driver of mental health struggles.
This guide will help you:
- Understand trauma and why psychedelic therapy is uniquely suited to addressing it
- Learn about the substances commonly used in psychedelic therapy
- Navigate the process step by step, including preparation, dosing, and integration
- Prioritize safety by outlining key considerations for minimizing risk
- Gain insight for navigating any spiritual or psychological challenges that may arise
Whether you’re considering psychedelic therapy for yourself, supporting a loved one, or seeking professional insights as a mental health provider, this book equips you with the knowledge to find qualified practitioners, understand the process, and navigate challenging experiences with care and confidence.
"Psychedelic therapy holds great promise for helping people heal deep emotional wounds, and I so appreciate the clarity and care with which Will Van Derveer and Keith Kurlander, both of whom are respected experts in this arena, approach this sensitive topic. In this book, they offer a grounded, accessible guide to using the healing potential of psychedelics to transform the damaging effects of trauma. Their focus on preparation and integration makes this an invaluable resource for those considering this path, as well as for clinicians who want to better understand this important and emerging field." —Richard C. Schwartz, founder of Internal Family Systems
"Psychedelics aren’t just about kaleidoscopic rainbows and cosmic hugs. It turns out they may be the most revolutionary breakthrough in mental health in a century. Whether you’re skeptical, curious, or already on the journey, this book is the map you’ll wish you had." —Mark Manson, The New York Times best-selling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
"A compassionate, evidence-based guide, Psychedelic Therapy expertly introduces an essential tool for healing, empowering readers to move beyond symptom management to integrating trauma and reclaiming their wholeness." —Sara Szal Gottfried, MD, The New York Times best-selling author of The Hormone Cure and Women, Food, and Hormones
"In Psychedelic Therapy, Will Van Derveer and Keith Kurlander offer a thoughtful, well-balanced, and deeply humane exploration of one of the most promising frontiers in mental health. Drawing on solid science as well as long-standing healing traditions, they present a guide that is both practical and inspiring. This book highlights the potential of psychedelics not only to relieve suffering but also to foster resilience, self-knowledge, and genuine transformation. It is a timely and valuable contribution to the rapidly growing field of integrative medicine and to the future of healthcare." —Andrew Weil, MD
"In Psychedelic Therapy, Will Van Derveer and Keith Kurlander offer a timely synthesis of science, clinical insight, and heart. This book is a uniquely valuable guide for anyone seeking healing and/or personal growth through psychedelic-assisted therapy delivered with compassion, clarity, and hard-earned wisdom. The revolution in mental healthcare is underway!" —Rick Doblin, founder and president of the Multidiciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies
"Psychedelic Therapy is a timely, responsible guide for those seeking relief from suffering and innovation in mental health care. Rooted in science, integrity, and clinical experience, Will Van Derveer and Keith Kurlander offer clarity, hope, and practical guidance. Rather than presenting psychedelics as a panacea, they thoughtfully situate these tools within a broader framework of trauma healing and the therapeutic relationship. This book is a valuable resource for clinicians and seekers, advancing compassionate and rigorous approaches to healing." —Stan Tatkin, PsyD, MFT, author of In Each Other's Care and Wired for Love
"For those suffering from mental illness, this important book offers hope and guidance. While authors Will Van Derveer and Keith Kurlander make clear that psychedelics are not a panacea, they provide solid, evidence-based advice to ensure positive outcomes and reduce adverse reactions. Psychedelic Therapy is a trusted companion for anyone interested in using psychedelics to heal from trauma, depression, and anxiety." —Peter A. Levine, PhD, author of An Autobiography of Trauma: A Healing Journey and Waking the Tiger
"Will and Keith have created a model of psychedelic therapy that merges wisdom and compassion with ethics and empirically grounded science. In a field that can sometimes bring up confusion and mistrust, we need clear guidance within mental health care to help us navigate the polycrisis of personal and collective traumas. Through personal stories, clinical vignettes, and applicable guidance, this book is relatable, practical, and carries the power to change the modern approach to trauma treatment." —Arielle Schwartz, PhD, founder of Resilience Informed Therapy and author of The Complex PTSD Workbook and EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology
"This book is more than a guide—it’s a map back to wholeness. As someone who’s walked my own healing path, I know the power of truth-telling and courageous inner work. Psychedelic therapy has the potential to unlock deep transformation, and this book offers the wisdom, care, and integrity we need to do it right. I’m grateful this work is in the world." —Melissa Etheridge, Grammy and Academy Award–winning artist and founder of the Etheridge Foundation
"Psychedelic Therapy is right on time and is for all time. Everything I want to hear for my soul’s creative sake is in this book—from how to discover our own happiness and sanity to a bigger conversation about healing the planet. Keith and Will share effortless wisdom that is not just an invitation into this world but a reminder of what our souls already know." —Brett Dennen, singer-songwriter, artist, environmental conservationist
"In Psychedelic Therapy, Will Van Derveer and Keith Kurlander illuminate what I would call an integral path of healing—one that transcends and includes earlier stages of the self, integrating the fragmented aspects of our psyche into a more expansive awareness. Here, psychedelics are not merely tools for symptom relief; they are catalysts for awakening, opening access to states of consciousness that reveal the deeper currents of body, mind, and spirit. This work honors the ancient wisdom of entheogenic traditions while embracing the rigor of contemporary science, offering a map for those ready to journey beyond the confines of the separate self into the wider embrace of Spirit itself. This book is not just about therapy—it is about evolution." —Ken Wilber, author of Finding Radical Wholeness
"There comes a time—both in individual lives and in the life of our health care system—when old maps no longer suffice. Psychedelic Therapy is a luminous and timely guide to the new frontier where neuroscience, depth psychology, and sacred medicine converge. For those seeking relief from trauma, depression, or spiritual despair—and for clinicians exploring integrative approaches—this book offers more than information: It offers hope. Clinically grounded and written by two pioneers in integrative psychiatry, Psychedelic Therapy stands as a vital companion in this seminal era of medicine when the soul of healing is being rediscovered." —Joan Borysenko, PhD, The New York Times best-selling author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind
"This timely book brings together cutting-edge insights and practical wisdom from leaders at the forefront of training psychedelic-assisted therapists. Dr. Will Van Derveer and Keith Kurlander have translated their experiences in psychedelic research, clinical practice, and training thousands of professionals with a clear, ethical, and evidence-based approach. A valuable contribution to the field." —Robin Carhart-Harris, PhD, director of the Psychedelics Division, Neuroscape, UCSF
"In a world plagued by chronic mental, emotional, and spiritual suffering, this book is a revelation. Psychedelic Therapy is not just a manual—it’s a sacred invitation into the future of healing. With clarity, compassion, and scientific rigor, this groundbreaking work maps out the safe, ethical, and transformational use of psychedelic medicines for deep personal and societal change. It bridges ancient wisdom and cutting-edge neuroscience, offering a new model for treating trauma, depression, addiction, and existential despair. As a physician deeply committed to root-cause healing, I believe this book is essential reading for anyone—clinician or seeker—ready to engage in a new paradigm of health that includes the mind, body, and soul. This is the medicine we’ve been waiting for." —Mark Hyman, MD, author of Young Forever and The Blood Sugar Solution, host of The Dr. Hyman Show