Derek Rinaldo, MA, LCMHC, and LCAS-A, is the Owner of Clear Life Counseling, where he specializes in counseling men with anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, and relationship issues. He is also a Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapist at Living Medicine Institute. As a licensed clinical mental health counselor, Derek provides various styles and training in breathwork.

New providers entering the field of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy often underestimate the complexities of working with these powerful substances. While the enthusiasm for psychedelics is growing, concerns about inadequate training, improper screening, and insufficient follow-up care remain under-addressed. What are the essential skills, ethical considerations, and safeguards clinicians must adopt to ensure safety and successful patient outcomes in this emerging field?

Psychedelic psychotherapy provider and therapist Derek Rinaldo emphasizes the importance of peer support, supervision, and self-regulation for clinicians working in this space. Providers should build robust referral networks for clients requiring additional psychiatric or medical care and develop strong therapeutic relationships to navigate complex cases. While psychedelic therapy can provide immense healing benefits, it can also cause harm if executed improperly, so Derek urges clinicians to prioritize ethical integration practices, safety, and continuous learning to guide clients through their psychedelic journeys responsibly.

In today’s episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Signi Goldman interviews Derek Rinaldo, MA, LCMHC, and LCAS-A, of Clear Life Counseling, about the risks associated with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Together, they explore the potential downfalls of integration, the categories of harm in psychedelic psychotherapy, and the difference between authentic therapeutic outcomes and recreational psychedelic use.