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.