#25 - Integrative Somatic Psychedelic Assisted Therapy

Welcome to episode twenty five of the The Flying Sage Podcast! In this episode we will be speaking with Devon Christie.

It is important to note that this conversation was recorded in July of 2024 before the announcement from the FDA that they rejected the proposal from Lykos for MDMA Assisted Psychotherapy. Since that decision was made, a lot has changed in the world of psychedelic therapy but nonetheless, much of this conversation remains relevant now.

Dr. Devon Christie, a Clinical Instructor at UBC Department of Medicine, is a dedicated family doctor with a focus in chronic pain and mental health. In her clinical work at the Canadian Pain and Regenerative Institute and online psychotherapy practice in Vancouver, BC, she brings a holistic approach to her patients and clients. As a former clinical investigator and study therapist in MDMA-assisted therapy research for PTSD with MAPS, Devon is at the forefront of psychedelic therapy advancements.

Her extensive certifications in Functional Medicine, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Relational Somatic Therapy, Level 1 Internal Family Systems, MAPS MDMA-Assisted Therapy, and ketamine-assisted therapy underscore her commitment to comprehensive healing. Formerly the Numinus Senior Lead of Psychedelic Programs, Devon played a key role in developing and implementing psychedelic-assisted clinical and therapist training programs. Currently, she is proud to co-direct Embody Lab’s “Somatic Psychedelic Facilitation” certificate program with Atira Tan: together they provide a decolonizing approach to learning about and facilitating psychedelic healing.

Devon also teaches therapists in renowned training programs such as CIIS, IPI, ATMA, and VITAL, prioritizing ethical practice, mindfulness, and trauma-specific skills. Devon's passion lies in reshaping the healthcare paradigm by integrating trauma-informed, bio-psycho-social approaches. She envisions the careful introduction of psychedelic-assisted therapies as a transformative step towards a holistic healthcare model, echoing the principles traditional systems of healing have long embraced. In her recently self-published e-book “Integrative Somatic Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy”, she outlines important elements of this paradigm shift.

In this conversation, we discuss integrative somatic psychedelic assisted therapy, embodied integration and much more.

This episode was hosted by Michael Oliver and edited by Usama. Music and Sound Design by Michael.