Cathy S Harris, LCSW

I work with people who are preparing for a psychedelic experience or who want support afterward. Many are looking for help making sense of what surfaced, especially when it connects to earlier trauma. I also offer therapeutic coaching and counseling for trauma and for those who have been involved in cults or other high-control groups. I am a trauma-informed therapist with more than 25 years of experience supporting individuals as they process difficult experiences and move toward greater clarity and well-being. My professional path began in an unusual way. At age 40, after spending 26 years involved in a high-control religious group, I attended college for the first time. Leaving the group meant losing relationships and community, yet it also opened the door to a new direction in my life. I chose to pursue training as a therapist so I could help others navigate complex life experiences and reclaim their sense of self. Over the years I have worked in a wide range of settings including in-home therapy, civilian and military substance abuse programs, crisis centers, mobile crisis units, inpatient and outpatient hospital programs, and private practice. Across these environments I consistently approached the work through a trauma-informed lens, advocating for greater attention to clients’ histories and the ways trauma shapes emotional and relational patterns. My book, So, What Happened to You?, explores the development of trauma-informed care and reflects on my experiences promoting this perspective within clinical settings. It also offers practical tools that support healing and self-understanding. In recent years my work has expanded into the psychedelic field, where I offer preparation and integration support for individuals and groups. While my clinical background informs this work, my current approach emphasizes coaching and counseling that supports personal growth, reflection, and meaning-making rather than focusing on diagnosis. I also provide professional education about cult dynamics, undue influence, and power imbalances. These issues are increasingly relevant within emerging psychedelic spaces, where ethical awareness, self-reflection, and accountability help create safer environments for healing work.