The Psychedelic Psychologist

Ryan Westrum

The Psychedelic Psychologist is a conversational-style podcast hosted by Dr. Ryan Westrum with clients and guests who use talk therapy to integrate Psychedelic experiences for healing and personal transformation. Tune in to hear people’s experiences, breakthroughs and stories of healing addiction, depression, and trauma through Psychedelics. Dr. Ryan Westrum gracefully and empathetically narrates real therapy sessions with people in their most vulnerable and transformational moments.

  1. Episode 87 - Embracing Balance: A Decade of Healing and Trust

    01/26/2025

    Episode 87 - Embracing Balance: A Decade of Healing and Trust

    Welcome to your weekly dose of The Psychedelic Psychologist. This week we drop in with Ray in a highly reflective episode. Rediscovering Balance and Boundaries In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to lose sight of the balance we all strive for. A recent conversation reminded me of the importance of integrating different aspects of ourselves, like the content Buddha's smile and the fierce warrior's vigilance. These dualities serve as reminders that true balance involves both experiencing happiness and establishing boundaries. It’s this balance that guides us to remain rooted in who we truly are. Acknowledging the Healing Journey Reflecting on his healing journey over the past decade, Ray learned to trust the process and embrace where he is at. For anyone dealing with traumas, trusting yourself and the people around you is paramount. He remembers his first session vividly; it was daunting, his mind in chaos. Yet, he leaned in, trusting the intuition that guided him. It's about letting go of fear and ego, about opening oneself to the process. The Power of Intuition and LoveListening to his intuition was transformative. There came a point when he realized that love was the driving force behind letting go and trusting the journey. He hadn’t always spoken to himself with this understanding—it’s something that evolved over time. Telling himself that love, not fear, should guide decisions became a new mantra. Looking for support integrating psychedelics please visit healingsoulsllc.com

    20 min
  2. Episode 86 - Embracing the Journey: From Introduction to Awakening

    01/19/2025

    Episode 86 - Embracing the Journey: From Introduction to Awakening

    Welcome to your weekly dose of The Psychedelic Psychologist. This week we drop in with Marc. I have been walking with him for many years and the therapeutic relationship is a vital part of a healing journey, and this exploration is no different. Introduction The journey of self-discovery and healing is often filled with unexpected turns and profound realizations. Throughout this journey, many of us encounter wisdom that changes the way we perceive our inner worlds. Such is the case with the teachings of Carl Jung, whose famous phrase, "whatever you resist persists," has resonated deeply with many in their battles with depression and anxiety. The Energy of Trauma Trauma, in its essence, is energy. For many, this realization comes as a turning point. The understanding that trauma is not just a momentary event but a force that can be harnessed for growth is a revelation. This realization marks a pivotal point in the journey, where resistance gives way to acceptance and understanding. The Power of a Therapeutic Alliance A crucial element in this journey is the presence of a trusted ally. Building a therapeutic alliance with a counselor or therapist provides a safe space to explore one's innermost thoughts and emotions. For instance, the serendipitous connection with a therapist can feel like a spiritual bond, offering a sanctuary where one can freely articulate magical experiences without fear of judgment. This safety net becomes the foundation for exploring deeper layers of consciousness and personal transformation  Looking for support integrating psychedelics please visit healingsoulsllc.com

    29 min
  3. Episode 85 - A Journey to Devotion: Embracing Life with a New Perspective

    01/05/2025

    Episode 85 - A Journey to Devotion: Embracing Life with a New Perspective

    Welcome to your weekly dose of The Psychedelic Psychologist. This week we drop in with Ben. A first time exploring psychedelics in the therapeutic manner.   In the realm of personal growth, the journey often begins as an intellectual pursuit, a quest to explore and understand the world around us. It is a journey filled with reading, studying, and engaging with others about topics of interest, and it becomes a map of exploration and discovery. For Ben, this path led to an unexpected encounter that initiated profound personal transformation. Finding His Path The word "journey" resonates deeply with Ben's personal development as it signifies exploration beyond the ordinary. This journey took an intriguing turn when a personal coach shared his psychedelic experiences. His narratives connected with Ben on a visceral level, something rare for him. It felt right, a full-body 'yes,' He often describes, "like receiving an invitation just waiting for me to accept." A Surprising Invitation "The surprise came when I realized that my body was guiding me, seeking recognition beyond just intellectual understanding." The moment Ben connected with this new path, he shares a senses came alive with potential, driving him towards something he `had been searching for without even realizing it.  "It was as if the universe itself was inviting me to explore this newfound path." Looking for psychedelic integration support please visit healingsoulsllc.com

    26 min
  4. Episode 84 -  The Commitment, Long Journey. And Integration

    12/29/2024

    Episode 84 - The Commitment, Long Journey. And Integration

    Welcome to your weekly dose of The Psychedelic Psychologist. In our fourth installment we drop in with Travis once again. Introduction In life’s journey, there are moments that test the core of our individuality. Personal battles with addiction often present some of the most profound trials. Travis''s exploration and reflections on these battles unveil a long, winding path toward understanding himself better and learning the art of liberation from substance reliance. The Awakening When he first embarked on this podcast with Dr. Ryan, the cravings felt inexplicably strong. As someone who habitually consumed a significant amount of cannabis, Travis found himself just moments away from sneaking in a quick toke. But something transformative happened when he paused for just a breath. The urge subsided, despite the freedom to indulge if he chose to. "This raised an important realization about my relationship with cannabis: the possibility of using it as healing medicine rather than an escape hatch to get, well, messed up. The habitual disassociation was losing its hold, and I was bravely confronting a full-circle revelation. This was the first hint that liberation wouldn’t have to be a drawn-out brawl but rather a gentle embrace of change." The Spirit Guide and the Second Ceremony Travis's spirit guide introduced me to a second ceremony involving MDMA. "Initially, misconceptions led me to expect a grueling encounter, much like being knocked around by a giant’s blows. Yet, what wrapped around me was a metaphorical soft blanket—comforting and surprising. Healing, as I was learning, does not mandate hardship. In showing reverence to the medicine, I found acceptance within myself." Reclaiming Clarity Living with addiction often feels like running on a drained battery. When 60 to 70 percent of one's thoughts daily revolved around satisfying an addiction, little was left for nurturing creativity. Now, with 95 percent—more likely his own thoughts— he am predisposed to clarity. Looking for psychedelic integration support -- visit healingsoulsllc.com

    32 min
  5. Episode 83 - Journey into the Unknown: Steps to Clarity.

    12/29/2024

    Episode 83 - Journey into the Unknown: Steps to Clarity.

    Welcome to your weekly dose of The Psychedelic Psychologist. This week we reconnect with Travis for the third part of a four part segment. Universal Connections The realizations from this experience are profound, suggesting a connection to something much greater than ourselves—an energy that transcends human understanding and invites us to acknowledge an existence beyond earthly constraints. Awareness and Personal Growth Reflecting on the past weeks, the awareness of patterns and emotional responses in his life has been transformative. Despite enduring personal losses—like the passing of his dog and a beloved family friend and father—I've been closer to maintaining sobriety. There's a newfound capability to face challenging events with clarity, avoiding the refuge of old habits that once led to disappointment. The Integration Phase Our connection deepened as we processed a significant experience from three weeks ago. Two weeks later, we were already integrating the insights gained. Now, as I stand on the precipice of another transformative ceremony while engaging in microdosing, He reflects on what truly astounds himself: the science and the awareness it brought. Conclusion: Embracing the Journey Ahead This podcast serves as both a record of his transformative experiences and an invitation to others to explore their own paths of awareness and growth. It's a testament to the incredible potential of human and universal connection, urging each of us to engage with the energies and insights that come our way, however unexpectedly they might arrive. Please see healingsoulsllc.com for more integration support.

    29 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The Psychedelic Psychologist is a conversational-style podcast hosted by Dr. Ryan Westrum with clients and guests who use talk therapy to integrate Psychedelic experiences for healing and personal transformation. Tune in to hear people’s experiences, breakthroughs and stories of healing addiction, depression, and trauma through Psychedelics. Dr. Ryan Westrum gracefully and empathetically narrates real therapy sessions with people in their most vulnerable and transformational moments.