Hear from Adrienne

I’ve worked as both a PMHNP-BC and a nurse with clients struggling with eating disorders, trauma, depression, anxiety, and other co-occurring concerns. Over the years, I have noticed that my patients and clients were not responding to traditional psychotropic medications and evidence-based practices and continued to struggle despite their longing for healing and recovery.

After witnessing so many clients suffer and often relapse, I began researching other interventions that could address the root causes of their concerns in a different way, especially when medications and other holistic interventions had failed. I quickly realized that psychedelics, especially within the model of psychedelic-assisted therapy, offer an alternative to traditional interventions that has the potential for profound and lasting change.

Our KAP team recently completed a year-long certification in psychedelic-assisted therapy, which provided guidance on both the medical aspect, such as safety and dosages, and therapeutic models specific to ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin. As a prescriber and PMHNP-BC, my approach is integrative and holistic, and this intensive training was exactly that! I’m so grateful for this training. With my clients, I’ve seen over and over that healing, growth, and sustainable relief from symptoms occur not only from the biochemical aspects of this medicine but also through therapy and behavioral change. Learning from pioneers in the field of neuroscience and medical considerations about psychedelic medicine was crucial to the actual implementation of our KAP program, and I am excited to also have knowledge and experience with the therapeutic side of things.

After completion of our year-long certification in psychedelic-assisted therapy, I was eager to start offering this service to clients. After seeing firsthand the healing that can occur during KAP, I am even more excited and hopeful. I have seen that the healing potential is the greatest when combining psychotherapy and medication from a trained psychedelic provider. I am grateful for the opportunity to expand treatment options for clients and meet their needs in the best possible way. As the prescriber and medical provider (along with Medical Assistant Jessica!), I look forward to working with our KAP clients. As a KAP therapist, I am especially passionate about providing additional support as a guide and during preparation/integration sessions for veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD and burnout, those experiencing treatment-resistant depression, frontline health care workers, and anyone experiencing burnout.

~ Adrienne Long, PMHNP-BC