Heather Smith, LPC

I am a Certified IFS Therapist (Internal Family Systems therapy) and like to refer to myself as a "Life Transformation Guide." I have found IFS to be incredibly effective for supporting my healing transformation. This isn’t just “talk therapy.” IFS is an experiential model of therapy that works directly with the protective defensive systems and wounded parts that we all experience. For psychedelic integration purposes, IFS blends well with expanded states of consciousness as these states often amplify parts that IFS can navigate. I've immersed myself in both IFS and expanded states of consciousness as both personal and professional pursuits. I’ve worked towards developing competency to provide Psychedelic Integration by training with MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), Compass Pathways, Fluence (Psychedelics for Clinicians 101 and 102), and have attended conferences such as Horizons and SOAP. In 2019 I initiated a MAPS sponsored Expanded Access site in Rockville, MD for the study of MDMA Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD, a research protocol approved by the FDA. Through this initiative I received my MAPS Therapist training. My greatest teachers include: IFS Trainers, my clients, and my own internal system. I stand in awe at the intricacy and workings of our internal psychological landscape. I have profound gratitude to my own parts and Self-energy for bringing me to this point in life. It's a beautiful place to be. Having a passion for both IFS and psychedelic therapy, I seek to inform and educate both therapists and the curious explorer on the safe use of these healing modalities. It’s my belief that these tools are effective for treating the entire range of experience, for those with significant trauma, as well as those seeking general improvement in wellbeing.