Psychedelic Therapy

A Revolutionary Approach to Restoring Your Mental Health and Reclaiming Your Life

De: Will Van Derveer, Keith Kurlander

Narrado por: Will Van Derveer, Keith Kurlander

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.

©2026 Will Van Derveer and Keith Kurlander (P)2026 Shambhala Publications

Must read

I am grateful to the authors for writing this book. I would recommend it to anyone interested in psychedelic therapy, whether a clinician or a layperson. It’s a compelling and informative read. The authors offered a balanced and well-informed perspective on where the field of psychiatry is helpful and where it falls short. As a clinician who has also struggled within the confines of our current system, I found it deeply meaningful to see this named openly. I appreciate the authors’ vulnerability in sharing their experiences. In my experience, many books on psychedelics intended for the public either miss key considerations (such as cultural and ethical issues of psychedelic use, common misconceptions, and not adequately conveying the risks of psychedelic use) or are too focused on the ‘nuts and bolts’ of the work from a clinician’s perspective, making them less helpful for general recommendation to the average layperson. This book navigates psychedelic therapy exceptionally well for both clinicians and lay readers. Really well done.

Disappointing.l! When will "revolutionary approach" mean something substantive?

There is clear potential for psychedelics to help "stuck" clients, but the process is not for the faint of heart. While this approach can be life-saving, labeling it "revolutionary" risks overselling expectations. Although the authors spend time cautioning that this therapy is not for everyone, the book's title undermines that prudence. Such claims may sell books, but they inflate expectations, leading to a potentially devastating letdown for those suffering from chronic complex PTSD or severe depression.
This work offers only a superficial sketch of the field and fails to grapple with the sophisticated nuances required to safely facilitate a transformative experience. It lacks differentiation on how various medicines should be used, implying that transformation occurs simply by administering a substance in the presence of a guide. They prime the reader that they will learn practical tools, including "journaling & mindfulness" but never do anything more than than mention that such practices could be helpful in preparing for or integrating ones psychedelic journey.

The text contains notable contradictions. The authors disparage the traditional healthcare model early on, yet later endorse those same modalities as vital for "integration" work. Furthermore, the book essentially encourages readers to navigate the underground market by seeking recommendations for "highly trained guides" who are, in reality, practicing illegally.
Licensed therapists who meet the demand generated by this book risk their professional licenses and insurance coverage. Suggesting that "informed consent" forms act as an ethical first step is a hollow gesture when applied to a "back-alley" transaction. While the authors touch on purity and dosing, they ignore the substantive risks of an underground supply chain and the legal position of practitioners willing to break the law.
Ultimately, while psychedelics can be a potent assist in therapy, this book fails to elucidate the skills a therapist needs to guide a client through potential psychological fragmentation. Marketed as "comprehensive," the work falls short; it provides just enough information to be dangerous, but not enough to ensure skillful, safe, and judicious use. How to navigate it legally might be important too?