How my journey began

Jo grew up in a small town outside of Grand Rapids, MI. There was two stop lights and a ‘drive your tractor to school day’. A few spark moments in her life led her to wanting to work directly with people through the practice of Social Work. Seeing others experience the worlds vastness and freedom in their lives fills her cup the most.

The moment she felt most alive in her life was hiking through multiple coastal towns near Sydney, Australia. Jo, 19 years old at the time, felt a passion ignite for traveling and the sense of freedom and empowerment that exists in this world. Her father identifies her as a ‘seeker’ in this world. She seeks to learn from nature, and be constantly humbled by humans and animals.

Jo has infused knowledge from the many jobs she has had. She has worked as a nanny, waitress, Peace Corps Volunteer in Eswatini for 2+ years, primary care office, and worked as a family therapist in wilderness therapy. Over the last year she has worked in private practice focusing on EMDR (eye movement desentiziation reprocessing) with clients.

So, why psychedelic integration therapy? Jo has spent over four years living abroad and learning different ways to do ‘life’. She has found a love for learning about psychedelics during her graduate studies at the University of Denver. When given the freedom to pick a topic to do a research project on Jo was drawn to psychedelic assisted therapy. Though only a few, recent, research articles existed in 2018 she felt there was so much more to be explored. Three years later during a trip to Central America Jo witnessed firsthand the need for more psychedelic therapy integration. Seeing people go from one life changing ceremony to the next she witnessed the need for a space to be held to integrate. Jo believes integration is the most important and hardest part of a psychedelic journey that doesn’t ever ‘finish’.

Jo uses a relational approach within her integration practice. Starting every session with a mindfulness or grounding exercise and creating a safe container to explores one’s self through the lens of their psychedelic journey. Jo is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Colorado. She is trained in mindfulness (through mindful living course), EMDR (eye movement desensitization reprocessing) and currently Jo is continuing her education through Fluence’s class ‘integration essientials’.

Jo’s intention is to hold therapeutic space so you are able to tune into your inner wisdom.