Art Therapy for Psychedelic Preparation and Integration with Charmaine Husum, RCAT
Psychedelic Medicine Podcast with Dr. Lynn Marie Morski
Release Date: 07/24/2025
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Psychedelic Medicine Podcast with Dr. Lynn Marie Morski
In this episode, Dr. WaiFung Tsang, DClinPsy joins to discuss the intersection of psychedelics and neurodiversity. Dr. Tsang is a clinical research psychologist from Hong Kong, musician, and student of Shipibo curanderismo. He is the co-founder of Onaya, an organisation dedicated to bridging Indigenous tradition and Western science, and research advisor for psychedelic veteran charity Heroic Hearts Project. In this conversation, Dr. Tsang explores the emerging intersection of psychedelics and neurodiversity, reframing neurodivergence as a context-dependent spectrum shaped by biology, culture,...
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Psychedelic Medicine Podcast with Dr. Lynn Marie Morski
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Low-Dose Ketamine for Chronic Pain: A Biopsychosocial Approach with Michelle Weiner, DO, MPH
Psychedelic Medicine Podcast with Dr. Lynn Marie Morski
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Ayahuasca for PTSD with Dr. Simon Ruffell MBChB, MRCPsych, PhD
Psychedelic Medicine Podcast with Dr. Lynn Marie Morski
In this episode Dr. Simon Ruffell joins to discuss the research on ayahuasca for PTSD. Dr. Ruffell is a psychiatrist, researcher, and student of curanderismo (Amazonian shamanism) working at the intersection of Western psychiatry, traditional plant medicine, and Indigenous knowledge systems. He is Executive Director of Onaya, Lecturer in Psychology and Psychedelics at the University of Exeter, and Chief Medical Officer of MINDS, with a focus on integrative and relational approaches to healing and consciousness. In this conversation, Dr. Ruffell explores the emerging research on ayahuasca as a...
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Impacts of Social Inequality on Psychedelic Healing with Sean Viña, PhD
Psychedelic Medicine Podcast with Dr. Lynn Marie Morski
In this episode, Dr. Sean M. Viña joins to discuss the ways that social inequality can impact psychedelic healing. Dr. Viña is a sociologist with a PhD from Indiana University whose research focuses on psychedelics and mental health, and social inequality. In this conversation, Dr. Viña explains that while psychedelics are often framed as transformative treatments, their benefits appear unevenly distributed and frequently constrained by structural factors such as income inequality, education, stigma, caregiving burden, segregation, and social isolation. The discussion highlights how...
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Psychedelic Medicine Podcast with Dr. Lynn Marie Morski
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Encore Episode: How Psychedelics Affect the Brain with Manesh Girn, PhD
Psychedelic Medicine Podcast with Dr. Lynn Marie Morski
In this encore episode of the Psychedelic Medicine Podcast, psychedelic science researcher and educator Dr. Manesh Girn discusses his studies investigating psychedelic brain action. Manesh earned PhD in neuroscience at McGill University and is an author on over a dozen peer-reviewed articles on psychedelics and related topics. He is also chief research officer at EntheoTech Bioscience and runs the YouTube channel the Psychedelic Scientist. In this conversation, Manesh discusses his recent article in Trends in Cognitive Sciences titled He explains the complexity science approach used...
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Psychedelic Medicine Podcast with Dr. Lynn Marie Morski
In this episode, Alicia Bigelow, ND joins to discuss the potential of psychedelic medicine to support the menopause transition. Dr. Ali Bigelow is a naturopathic physician, ketamine provider and licensed psilocybin facilitator in Portland, OR. She leads individual and group retreats, enjoys incorporating live music into her sessions when desired, and is passionate about supporting those navigating life transitions, such as end of life and menopause, through her low dose group, Menomorphosis. Dr. Bigelow will be doing retreats in 2026 with Rise Up Journeys at In this conversation, Dr. Bigelow...
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Psychedelics as Catalysts for Human Agency with Matthew W. Johnson, PhD
Psychedelic Medicine Podcast with Dr. Lynn Marie Morski
In this episode, Matthew W. Johnson, PhD returns to discuss how psychedelics can be leveraged to catalyze human agency. Dr. Johnson has been at the forefront of psychedelic research for 21 years, having conducted seminal research on the effects of psilocybin on mystical experience, personality, and treatment of cancer distress, major depressive disorder, and tobacco addiction. His work with tobacco addiction received the first federal funding for a classic psychedelic in the modern era of research. In this conversation, Dr. Johnson explores psychedelics as powerful enhancers of human...
info_outlineIn this episode, Charmaine Husum joins to discuss how art therapy can be a powerful tool for psychedelic preparation and integration. Charmaine is a Registered Art Therapist, Somatic Counsellor and Kundalini Yoga Teacher with over 12 years of experience supporting psychedelic preparation and integration. Her courses train professionals globally using specifically developed protocols in trauma-informed, harm-reduction practices, with her book, Psychedelics and Art Therapy: A Trauma-Informed Manual for Somatic Self Expression (Routledge, 2025), endorsed by numerous experts in the field including Stan and Brigitte Grof.
In this discussion, Charmaine distinguishes between art as therapy and art therapy, emphasizing that the latter involves clinically informed, trauma-sensitive practices that externalize inner experiences to support healing. She outlines structured protocols used before and after psychedelic experiences, including creating visual representations of inner strength, setting intentions, and integrating experiences through multi-phase art exercises. Throughout, Charmaine emphasizes choice, embodiment, and the historical roots of art in altered states, offering a rich alternative for those seeking non-verbal, experiential ways to work through trauma and transformation.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- The types of art and materials employed in art therapy
- How art therapy can be employed to support preparation for a psychedelic experience
- Using art therapy for grounding and restabilization following an intense psychedelic journey
- Judith Herman’s three stage model of healing trauma
- Why drawing a self portrait with one’s non-dominant hand could be therapeutic
- Pursuing shadow work in art therapy
- Working with a client’s perfectionism in art therapy
Quotes:
“[Art therapy] is not about making art, actually. It's about being in the present moment, about moving materials, about allowing for often a cathartic release, and giving expression to what we often don't have words for.” [3:14]
“Art therapy isn't just about making the art, it's about processing the art afterwards.” [7:48]
“Art therapy is very helpful when we're trying to express something that's ineffable—something without words—which is… at the heart of psychedelics. There's often no words to describe what our experience has been. And so using creativity can be a real help there.” [29:06]
Links:
Centre of the HeArt on Instagram
Centre of the HeArt on Facebook
Charmaine’s book: Psychedelics and Art Therapy: A Trauma-Informed Manual for Somatic Self Expression