Episode 54

Written By Michaela Carlin
 
 
 
 

Listen in to Michaela Carlin in conversation with Jen Whaley, a physician's assistant and certified psychedelic assisted therapist, and learn about an extraordinary journey of personal transformation. 

Highlighting one of her most transformative experiences with ayahuasca, Jen reveals how this powerful plant medicine helped her break free from codependency within her relationship. 

Jen and Michalea also discuss some of the differences between mushrooms and MDMA, and the unique therapeutic benefits of each. The conversation also explores self-love, the importance of emotional intelligence, and Jen’s incorporation of ketamine therapy and emotional completions into her practice. Jen advocates for following one's intuition when working with psychedelic substances and highlights the crucial process of integration that follows these profound experiences.

Jen Whaley is a physician assistant, a certified psychedelic-assisted therapist, a yoga instructor, a breathwork facilitator, a full-spectrum doula, and a psychospiritual life coach. Whatever the modality, she specializes in helping you cultivate the mindset and environment that will best support your healing potential, all while guiding you deeper and deeper within, where she believes we will each find the answers to our questions, the solutions to our problems, and the wellness, wholeness, and peace that we seek.

After graduating in 2011 from the University of Detroit Mercy with a bachelor's of science in biology and a master's of science in physician assistant studies, Jen worked as a PA in both emergency medicine and women's health. In 2017, her own personal journey led her towards a more alternative path of health and wellness. In this process, she attended her first yoga teacher training, and discovered the healing potential of plant medicine, breathwork, and A Course in Miracles, all which she now integrates into her offerings. 

In 2019 she returned to school at The California Institute of Integral Studies and received a post-graduate Certificate of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy and Research. She then went on to train in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy in 2020, as well as to certify as a Birth & Postpartum Doula in 2021, before becoming a mother herself in 2022. Recently, she studied the Physics of Emotioning and certified in Core Issue Completion Coaching with Dr. Michael Lukens, before joining him and a team of extraordinary providers to cocreate Lucidelix, providing clients a unique and holistic, Ketamine-Assisted approach to healing and wellness.

Episode Highlights

  • Jen Whaley ’s shift beyond her Western medical training into more alternative health practices

  • How ayahuasca helped Jen recognize and overcome codependency in her relationship

  • Surrender and perspective shifts as transformative aspects of psychedelic medicine work

  • Jen’s psychedelic therapy training at the California Institute of Integral Studies and the support she now offers others in their work with psychedelic medicines

  • Following one’s intuition when choosing what psychedelics to work with

  • Integration after psychedelic experiences as critical for fully embodying insights and healing received in psychedelic journeys

  • How MDMA can down-regulate the amygdala and allow individuals with PTSD to revisit traumatic experiences without triggering the fight or flight response

  • How MDMA helps establish trust in therapy for individuals with trauma histories

  • The central role self-love, self-care and play in the healing process

  • Motherhood as a potent teacher and its own psychedelic journey

  • Embracing all emotions and fostering emotional intelligence in children 

  • How Jen incorporates ketamine therapy and emotional completions into her practice

  • Ketamine as a therapeutic tool for emotional healing and growth

Jen Whaley’s Links 

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

* * * * *

Special thanks to Jeremy Colbert (Taragápe) for the original podcast theme music.

You can find out more about Jeremey’s work here:
taragape.com and @taragape

Michaela Carlin
Previous

Episode 55
Next

Episode 53