Alex Belser, PhD
Clinical Research Fellow, Yale University
New York City NY
I’m a clinical psychologist, clinical scientist, and teacher, formerly at Yale University and NYU, with a private practice based in Greenwich Village, New York City. For over two decades, I’ve specialized in psychedelic-assisted therapy to help people overcome depression, anxiety, OCD, trauma, and addiction. My work explores how integrative therapies and psychedelic medicine can relieve human suffering and catalyze meaningful transformation.
My approach is warm, compassionate, and grounded in science. I integrate evidence-based psychotherapy with psychedelic support, relational and dynamic approaches, somatic awareness, and psychospiritual inquiry. Our work together draws from cognitive, emotional, and physical dimensions of the whole person. I offer a space where you can speak freely, without judgment, and where deep change is possible. My goal is to help you navigate life’s challenges and unlock new possibilities for growth, healing, and vitality.
When we begin working together, we’ll start with a careful exploration of your current concerns and your hopes for therapy. I conduct a comprehensive assessment to understand your needs, strengths, and goals. In our first sessions, you’ll get a sense of my style, and I’ll learn more about your background and what matters most to you.
I specialize in psychedelic integration and preparation work, and have worked directly with individuals in psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy contexts. I've written a book with my friend Dr. Bill Brennan on psychedelics, EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression, published by Oxford.
Change is integral. I offer a transformative approach with evidence-based technical guidance for the whole person: body, mind and soul. You will make tangible gains toward your goals. The people I work with report enhanced vitality, more fulfilling relationships, and greater professional success. Real breakthroughs are possible.
At Yale, I served as a Clinical Research Fellow and psychotherapy supervisor and was a Co-Investigator on a clinical trial studying psilocybin-assisted therapy for OCD. I was also a study therapist for the MAPS Phase 3 trial of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. I co-founded the NYU Pyschedelic Research Group in 2006, and I teach in NYU’s graduate program in Applied Psychology. I am passionate about psychedelic medicine and like training clinicians -- I have trained therapists through a dozen psychedelic training programs, including Synthesis, the Integrative Psychiatry Institute, Chacruna, Embodied Philosophy, ATMA, the Embody Lab, and Harvard’s Cambridge Health Alliance.
My academic background includes study at Georgetown, Cambridge, Columbia, NYU, and Yale. I completed my clinical training at the National Institute for the Psychotherapies, Bellevue Hospital, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, and the New York State Psychiatric Institute at Columbia.
- Individual psychotherapy
- Psychedelic integration therapy
- Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP)
- Preparation and support for legal psychedelic experiences (e.g., retreats abroad, clinical trials)
- Consultation for clinicians and researchers
- Clinical supervision for therapists and trainees
- Ongoing therapy for depression, anxiety, trauma, OCD, and life transitions
Education and training:
- New York University, PhD in Counseling Psychology
- Georgetown University (Bachelor's)
- Cambridge University (Master's)
- Columbia University, Master's in Clinical Psychology
- Yale University, Fellowship in Psychology
Books:
- Author of the book: EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression (Oxford University Press)
- Editor of the book: Queering Psychedelics: From Oppression to Liberation in Psychedelic Medicine
- Media coverage in the New York Times, the Atlantic, The Guardian, Forbes, Rolling Stone, NPR, and in Michael Pollan's book, How to Change Your Mind
You can book a first consultation online here: https://www.zocdoc.com/professional/alexander-alex-belser-phd-568507