Exploring Psychedelics & Harm Reduction in Trauma Populations with Kathryn LaRoe-Higgs & Lisa McJunkin
This week at The District House, we had the pleasure of hosting an incredible event on “Psychedelics & Harm Reduction in Trauma Populations.” Led by two extraordinary therapists, Kathryn LaRoe-Higgs, LCSW, and Lisa McJunkin, LMFT & COO, the evening was filled with wisdom, personal experiences, and deep insights into the healing power of psychedelic-assisted therapy. The conversation was moderated by our very own Hannah Jo, who guided these amazing guests through a series of questions about their work and the impact of psychedelics in trauma recovery. 🌿✨
Interviewer Hannah Jo asked Kathryn LaRoe-Higgs to share a profound psychedelic experience that shaped her understanding of healing. Kathryn, a licensed therapist and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, recounted a life-changing psilocybin journey in South America. In a tribal setting, she witnessed the incredible power of community and interdependence. She described how the people in the tribe celebrated themselves without shame, fully embraced and accepted by their community. This experience revealed to her the deep connection between healing and the strength of collective spirit. 🌍💛
Kathryn, who has extensive experience working with veterans and individuals in the plant medicine space, believes that expanded states of consciousness—whether through psilocybin, meditation, or breathwork—can provide profound healing for the mind, body, and soul. Her story reminded all of us that true healing often happens not in isolation, but in unity with others. 🌿🔥
When Hannah Jo asked Lisa McJunkin to share a significant psychedelic experience, she took a different, but equally powerful, path. Lisa, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with years of experience in trauma recovery, emphasized that her journeys are not recreational—they are often challenging, intense, and deeply transformative. 🍄💥
Her first experience with ayahuasca, a powerful plant medicine, was one of those moments. She entered the journey with the intention of asking about her career path, but the medicine had other plans. Instead of focusing on her career, ayahuasca offered Lisa a much deeper teaching about herself as a human being. 🌿💡 She learned that her career discomfort was just a reflection of a larger challenge: the difficulty of living in true alignment with herself. This realization was both humbling and enlightening, offering Lisa a profound insight into the relationship between personal healing and professional growth.
After sharing their personal experiences 🌈💫, both Kathryn and Lisa engaged with the audience for a lively Q&A session. Attendees were eager to dive deeper into topics like trauma recovery, the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, and the importance of harm reduction. The discussion underscored the complexity of working with trauma populations and how psychedelic-assisted therapy, when used responsibly and with proper preparation, can offer significant healing opportunities.
Full Interview Coming Soon 🎥✨ If you missed this incredible event, don’t worry! We are currently editing the full interview, which will be available on the District216 online platform in the next couple of weeks. 📽️ Be sure to check it out to hear all the insightful stories and practical wisdom from these two brilliant women.
Join **District216** today and gain access to more interviews, presentations, and discussion panels like this one. Our online platform is filled with resources and content designed to support your journey in psychedelics, healing, and personal growth. Don’t miss out! 🌼💡
#PsychedelicsForHealing #TraumaRecovery #HarmReduction #AyahuascaJourney #PsilocybinJourney #CommunityHealing #TherapeuticHealing #District216 #JoinUs
