My journey to psydelic integration
From clinical psychologist to integration expert
In my work as a clinical psychologist, I founded the first Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy practices in Northern California. Facilitating more than 3000 sessions with clients in ketamine-induced expanded states, I witnessed how the unconscious mind holds essential material for conscious growth.
As the psychedelic renaissance unfolds, I see both the extraordinary promise and the responsibility inherent in working with expanded states. People are seeking these experiences — often without guidance, preparation, or safety education.
I feel called to fill that gap through education and risk-reduction support — an approach known in this field as harm or risk reduction.
A unique approach to inner wisdom
My education in plant medicine healing began decades ago in the West African rainforest, where I lived and worked as a Peace Corps volunteer. Witnessing the ceremonial use of iboga profoundly influenced my understanding of plant medicine as a path to healing. Decades later, I studied energy healing with a shaman in Brazil. Becoming a psychologist was, in retrospect, a path to continued understanding of the human psyche.
Specialized Training
I am a certified psychedelic-assisted facilitator, having completed an extensive year-long training through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute. This immersive program explored the historical and cultural roots of entheogen use—from ancient traditions to emerging modern clinical applications—alongside a wide range of preparation and integration frameworks.
The training included an in-depth study of psychological and physiological responses to altered states, psychopharmacology, and mechanisms of action within the brain and body. Strong emphasis was placed on safety and ethical care, including potential adverse effects, clinical protocols, crisis-response planning, and trauma-informed integration practices designed to support meaningful and lasting change..
"I can’t say enough about the care I received from Nicolette. After a deep experience in Jamaica, I returned feeling raw and disoriented—she helped me find clarity and make sense of what was happening."
Oliver Hartman