The Higher Practice Podcast for Optimal Mental Health

In this episode, Will and Keith announce the release of their long-awaited book, Psychedelic Therapy, and discuss the personal and professional experiences that drove them to write it. The conversation delves into the "psychedelic revolution," critiquing the current state of mental healthcare for its focus on symptom suppression rather than addressing the root causes of suffering, such as trauma. Both speakers share their unique paths—Will's disillusionment with traditional psychiatry and Keith's own journey through a challenging psychedelic experience and subsequent mental illness. They explore how psychedelic therapy serves as a tool for inner exploration, moving beyond the "known" self to foster authenticity and growth. The episode also emphasizes the critical importance of a safe, guided clinical setting and the necessity for specialized therapist training to handle client vulnerability.   Show notes: ●        Introduction and the "Psychedelic Revolution" ●        Will's Path: Disillusionment with Traditional Psychiatry ●        Keith's Journey: From Challenging Experiences to Healing ●        Beyond Symptom Reduction: Authenticity and Growth ●        The Failure of Modern Mental Healthcare ●        Psychedelic Therapy as a Tool for Inner Exploration ●        The Importance of Setting and Professional Guidance ●        Comparing Clinical, Spiritual, and Ceremonial Contexts ●        The Therapist's Role and Client Vulnerability ●        Facing the Unknown and Identity in Pain ●        Metaphors for Healing: The Castle and the Wilderness ●        Conclusion and Book Overview How you can help others in a big way... If you enjoy the Higher Practice Podcast, please leave a quick review on the Apple Podcast app. It makes a big difference in getting the word out to other people who will benefit from this podcast. Simply, click on the show on your podcast app>scroll down to the bottom of the episodes>click the ratings and reviews section>tap stars to rate>click write a review. To learn more, visit: https://psychiatryinstitute.com/ Interested in psychedelic therapy? Get the book at Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Therapy-Revolutionary-Restoring-Reclaiming/dp/1645476049

This episode of the Higher Practice Podcast explores the intersection of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and psychedelic-assisted healing, particularly with ketamine. Psychotherapist Dr. Nick Bruss provides an overview of IFS, a compassionate approach that harmonizes internal parts like exiles, managers, and protectors to foster self-awareness and healing. He discusses his three-month treatment program, incorporating preparatory sessions, psycholytic ketamine doses, and integration practices to help clients anchor their experiences into daily life. The conversation highlights how psychedelics naturally facilitate introspection, creating a powerful synergy with IFS therapy. Additionally, we explore the role of IFS in couples therapy, emphasizing self-responsibility and deeper emotional connections. The episode concludes with insights into upcoming workshops and a new book, reinforcing mindfulness, self-compassion, and the evolving landscape of mental health care. Show notes: ●        Introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS) – [00:01:00] ●        Trauma, Fragmentation, and the Role of Parts – [00:03:00] ●        Types of Internal Parts in IFS – [00:05:00] ●        Personal Journey with IFS Therapy – [00:10:00] ●        Integration of IFS with Psychedelic Therapy – [00:14:00] ●        Nick's Psychedelic Therapy Model Using Ketamine – [00:19:00] How you can help others in a big way... If you enjoy the Higher Practice Podcast, please leave a quick review on the Apple Podcast app. It makes a big difference in getting the word out to other people who will benefit from this podcast. Simply, click on the show on your podcast app>scroll down to the bottom of the episodes>click the ratings and reviews section>tap stars to rate>click write a review. To learn more, visit: https://psychiatryinstitute.com/ Interested in providing psychedelic therapy? Download our free ebook, Getting Started With Psychedelic Therapy: https://bit.ly/3NjBW9k Struggle with mental health? Download our free guide, 10 Must Know Supplements For Optimal Mental Health: https://bit.ly/4feDMob.  And when you download our free guide, you'll also get our bi-weekly newsletter Mind Matters, where we share great tips on how to optimize your mental health.

Have you ever considered how our attachments shape our experiences of fulfillment and suffering? In this episode, we explore the delicate balance between holding on and letting go, examining how these forces influence our spiritual and emotional lives. Drawing from contemplative traditions, we discuss the role of the ego in shaping desires and fears, and how even the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment can become entangled in attachment. Reflecting on loss, joy, and moments of profound spiritual clarity—whether through meditation, psychedelics, or transformative experiences—we unpack the paradox of pursuing meaning while surrendering to life's uncertainties. Letting go isn't about passivity but about cultivating curiosity, compassion, and flexibility in a world of impermanence, where meaning emerges in life's fleeting moments. Show notes: ●        Defining Spiritual Attachment ●        Leaving Buddhism: A Personal Revelation ●        Balancing Letting Go and Attachment ●        Navigating Attachment to Freedom ●        Psychological Flexibility Through Psychedelics ●        Creating Meaning in a Lifetime How you can help others in a big way... If you enjoy the Higher Practice Podcast, please leave a quick review on the Apple Podcast app. It makes a big difference in getting the word out to other people who will benefit from this podcast. Simply, click on the show on your podcast app>scroll down to the bottom of the episodes>click the ratings and reviews section>tap stars to rate>click write a review. To learn more, visit: https://psychiatryinstitute.com/ Interested in providing psychedelic therapy? Download our free ebook, Getting Started With Psychedelic Therapy: https://bit.ly/3NjBW9k Struggle with mental health? Download our free guide, 10 Must Know Supplements For Optimal Mental Health: https://bit.ly/4feDMob.  And when you download our free guide, you'll also get our bi-weekly newsletter Mind Matters, where we share great tips on how to optimize your mental health.

Despite significant advancements in healthcare, gaps in women's health continue to leave many underserved, as discussed by Dr. Will Van Derveer and Dr. Sara Gottfried Szal in their exploration of the evolving field of female care. Dr. Szal reflects on her medical journey, highlighting the shift from physician-centered models to personalized, patient-focused approaches and the urgent need to address biases and systemic barriers in women's healthcare. They emphasize the importance of equipping practitioners to address unique health challenges—such as stress, hormones, cardiometabolic health, and lifestyle changes. This discussion underscores the potential to transform medicine, fostering proactive and respectful care that empowers women across all life stages. Show notes: ●        Midwifery model advocates collaborative, patient-centered women's healthcare – 03:04 ●        Hormonal complexity reveals broader health treatment gaps - 07:52 ●        Advancing women's health: Understanding stress, treatment, longevity - 12:17 ●        Women's cardiovascular risks, disparities, and urgent awareness needed - 17:29   How you can help others in a big way... If you enjoy the Higher Practice Podcast, please leave a quick review on the Apple Podcast app. It makes a big difference in getting the word out to other people who will benefit from this podcast. Simply, click on the show on your podcast app>scroll down to the bottom of the episodes>click the ratings and reviews section>tap stars to rate>click write a review. To learn more, visit: https://psychiatryinstitute.com/ Interested in providing psychedelic therapy? Download our free ebook, Getting Started With Psychedelic Therapy: https://bit.ly/3NjBW9k Struggle with mental health? Download our free guide, 10 Must Know Supplements For Optimal Mental Health: https://bit.ly/4feDMob.  And when you download our free guide, you'll also get our bi-weekly newsletter Mind Matters, where we share great tips on how to optimize your mental health.

This episode explores the complexities of New Year's resolutions and effective goal-setting strategies, emphasizing the pitfalls of impulsive resolutions and advocating for a structured visioning process. We discuss setting goals across key life areas—career, family, health, and personal pursuits—using tools like vision boards, Google Drive, and Trello to track progress and achieve realistic success rates of 80-90%. Keith shares his approach of breaking annual goals into quarterly sub-goals, highlighting the importance of self-reflection to ensure goals align with personal values rather than societal pressures. We also critique the cultural tendency to set resolutions without thoughtful planning, address challenges like saving money, and stress the balance between disciplined goal-setting and embracing unstructured, spontaneous moments. Show notes: ●        80% of New Year's resolutions fail quickly - 03:00 ●        Align habits with values for longer-lasting change – 05:57 ●        Setting realistic goals is key – 11:57 ●        Quarterly sub-goal reviews can be great or feel rigid – 26:55 ●        Automation reduces error, ensuring higher degrees of success – 32:53 ●        Mindful visioning balances material pursuits – 41:15 How you can help others in a big way... If you enjoy the Higher Practice Podcast, please leave a quick review on the Apple Podcast app. It makes a big difference in getting the word out to other people who will benefit from this podcast. Simply, click on the show on your podcast app>scroll down to the bottom of the episodes>click the ratings and reviews section>tap stars to rate>click write a review. To learn more, visit: https://psychiatryinstitute.com/ Interested in providing psychedelic therapy? Download our free ebook, Getting Started With Psychedelic Therapy: https://bit.ly/3NjBW9k Struggle with mental health? Download our free guide, 10 Must Know Supplements For Optimal Mental Health: https://bit.ly/4feDMob.  And when you download our free guide, you'll also get our bi-weekly newsletter Mind Matters, where we share great tips on how to optimize your mental health.

Transformation happens when moments of clarity are translated into lasting change, but this process is rarely simple. In this episode, we highlight the challenges of psychedelic integration, focusing on the difficulty of turning powerful insights into actual behavioral shifts. Drawing from neuroscience and psychology, we explore the hard work required for real change, including the pitfalls of repetitive sessions and the struggle to remain committed and consistent. Our discussion emphasizes the importance of values-based change, understanding deeper motivations, and using tools like journaling, parts work, accountability partnerships, and self-awareness practices. Recognizing the lack of societal support for genuine transformation, we encourage patience, self-compassion, and strategies for sustaining growth long after the dosing session ends. Show notes: ●        Lasting Behavioral Change ●        Psychedelic Insights Need Effort to Integrate ●        Deeply Ingrained Habits Stem From Survival Response ●        Meaningful Change Requires Deep Exploration  How you can help others in a big way... If you enjoy the Higher Practice Podcast, please leave a quick review on the Apple Podcast app. It makes a big difference in getting the word out to other people who will benefit from this podcast. Simply, click on the show on your podcast app>scroll down to the bottom of the episodes>click the ratings and reviews section>tap stars to rate>click write a review. To learn more, visit: https://psychiatryinstitute.com/ Interested in providing psychedelic therapy? Download our free ebook, Getting Started With Psychedelic Therapy: https://bit.ly/3NjBW9k Struggle with mental health? Download our free guide, 10 Must Know Supplements For Optimal Mental Health: https://bit.ly/4feDMob.  And when you download our free guide, you'll also get our bi-weekly newsletter Mind Matters, where we share great tips on how to optimize your mental health.

What if we could literally change our lives by confronting our own stress responses? In this episode, we explore the profound impact of stress on mental health, examining its physiological and psychological aspects while offering insights for understanding and managing it. We introduce the concept of "eustress" versus "distress," explaining how different types of stress can drive growth or lead to burnout, and emphasize how our perceptions and mindset shape our experiences. Taking a systemic approach, we consider societal challenges like economic uncertainty, global conflicts, and social isolation as contributors to stress. Our goal is to help you build awareness and adopt practical coping strategies, from mindfulness practices and exercise to sleep hygiene, cold plunges, and sauna therapy. We also highlight the importance of relational health, co-regulation, meaningful work, and community engagement as we unpack the art of self-care in today's complex world. Show notes: ●        Stress Within the Widening Socioeconomic Gap ●        Uncertainty, Panic, and Loss of Control ●        Eustress Energizes, Distress Damages ●        Recognizing Stress Signs ●        Mindfulness and Stress Regulation How you can help others in a big way... If you enjoy the Higher Practice Podcast, please leave a quick review on the Apple Podcast app. It makes a big difference in getting the word out to other people who will benefit from this podcast. Simply, click on the show on your podcast app>scroll down to the bottom of the episodes>click the ratings and reviews section>tap stars to rate>click write a review. To learn more, visit: https://psychiatryinstitute.com/ Interested in providing psychedelic therapy? Download our free ebook, Getting Started With Psychedelic Therapy: https://bit.ly/3NjBW9k Struggle with mental health? Download our free guide, 10 Must Know Supplements For Optimal Mental Health: https://bit.ly/4feDMob.  And when you download our free guide, you'll also get our bi-weekly newsletter Mind Matters, where we share great tips on how to optimize your mental health.

The findings are clear: you are what you eat! In this episode, we dive into the fascinating connection between food and mood, exploring how your diet impacts your body, brain, and overall wellbeing. From debunking the outdated food pyramid to uncovering the role of macronutrients, hydration, and fiber, we break down the science of nutrition and metabolism. We also tackle pressing health concerns like prediabetes, diabetes, and inflammation, highlighting their association with mental health challenges. Packed with actionable advice—like how to reduce processed carbs, balance blood sugar, and experiment with personalized dietary approaches—this conversation is all about helping you create a sustainable plan for better mental clarity, emotional stability, and vitality. Whether you're looking to optimize your health or curious about how your diet shapes your mental state, this episode is full of tools and insights to inspire change. Show notes: ●        Obesity and Body Image ●        Excess Carbs Convert to Fat, Impacting Health ●        Continual Glucose Monitoring ●        Fat is Important ●        Ketogenic Diets ●        Metabolic Flexibility: Glucose vs. Fat How you can help others in a big way... If you enjoy the Higher Practice Podcast, please leave a quick review on the Apple Podcast app. It makes a big difference in getting the word out to other people who will benefit from this podcast. Simply, click on the show on your podcast app>scroll down to the bottom of the episodes>click the ratings and reviews section>tap stars to rate>click write a review. To learn more, visit: https://psychiatryinstitute.com/ Interested in providing psychedelic therapy? Download our free ebook, Getting Started With Psychedelic Therapy: https://bit.ly/3NjBW9k Struggle with mental health? Download our free guide, 10 Must Know Supplements For Optimal Mental Health: https://bit.ly/4feDMob.  And when you download our free guide, you'll also get our bi-weekly newsletter Mind Matters, where we share great tips on how to optimize your mental health.

Ever wonder why some goals stay dreams while others become reality? In this episode, we explore the difference between fantasy and vision, sharing how to transform dreams into actionable steps that inspire clarity and motivation. We dive into common fears, like the worry of failure or judgment, and offer tips for breaking old habits and creating meaningful change. Emphasizing the importance of aligning goals with values, we highlight the role of systems, routines, and accountability in staying consistent. Most of all, we encourage listeners to embrace the journey, knowing it leads to a life of purpose and growth. Show notes: ●        The Difference Between Fantasy and Vision ●        Setting and Structuring Annual Goals ●        Balancing Structure and Flexibility ●        Forced Accelerated Savings ●        Goals and Behavior Alignment How you can help others in a big way... If you enjoy the Higher Practice Podcast, please leave a quick review on the Apple Podcast app. It makes a big difference in getting the word out to other people who will benefit from this podcast. Simply, click on the show on your podcast app>scroll down to the bottom of the episodes>click the ratings and reviews section>tap stars to rate>click write a review. To learn more, visit: https://psychiatryinstitute.com/ Interested in providing psychedelic therapy? Download our free ebook, Getting Started With Psychedelic Therapy: https://bit.ly/3NjBW9k Struggle with mental health? Download our free guide, 10 Must Know Supplements For Optimal Mental Health: https://bit.ly/4feDMob.  And when you download our free guide, you'll also get our bi-weekly newsletter Mind Matters, where we share great tips on how to optimize your mental health.

In this episode, we explore the profound and often enigmatic nature of mystical experiences, particularly those induced by psychedelics. Through the lens of Western psychology and shamanic traditions, we examine encounters with mysterious entities, synchronicities, and the transformative insights these states can offer. We also address the challenges that arise, including spiritual emergencies and ego dissolution, discussing how these intense moments can lead to growth, humility, and deeper self-understanding. With a balanced perspective, we emphasize the importance of support, integration, and hope, offering a grounded approach to navigating the risks and opportunities of these powerful experiences. Show notes:  ·         Understanding Mystical Experiences ·         LSD Experiences ·         Struggles with Nightmares and Kundalini Energy ·         Spiritual Emergencies and Resilience ·         Ego Fragmentation ·         Science, Mysticism, and Reality ·         Seeking Support Around Mystical Experiences How you can help others in a big way... If you enjoy the Higher Practice Podcast, please leave a quick review on the Apple Podcast app. It makes a big difference in getting the word out to other people who will benefit from this podcast. Simply, click on the show on your podcast app>scroll down to the bottom of the episodes>click the ratings and reviews section>tap stars to rate>click write a review. To learn more, visit: https://psychiatryinstitute.com/ Interested in providing psychedelic therapy? Download our free ebook, Getting Started With Psychedelic Therapy: https://bit.ly/3NjBW9k Struggle with mental health? Download our free guide, 10 Must Know Supplements For Optimal Mental Health: https://bit.ly/4feDMob.  And when you download our free guide, you'll also get our bi-weekly newsletter Mind Matters, where we share great tips on how to optimize your mental health.