James Norwood, PsyD

I have a doctorate in clinical psychology from California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) and post-doctoral training in existential psychoanalysis. During my doctorate at CIIS, I explored the experience of integration of psychedelic experience in my dissertation, "What is the Lived Experience of Fully Integrating the Benefits of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD?" In it I explored the meaning of what we call "integration" as well as its limits through a close examination of one of MAPS' greatest success cases. Among other conclusions, I came to the view that psychedelics create an opportunity to be inspired by what is sometimes a challenging and wonderful experience. However, it appears that therapeutic experiences on psychedelics, however powerful, are rarely sufficient to change a person's life neither are a few integration sessions sufficient to learn from the psychedelic experience. Ongoing therapy with someone who is familiar with psychedelic experience may be one of the best ways to make use of the incredible opportunities that psychedelics provide. In addition to studying psychedelic integration, I’ve trained extensively in existential psychoanalysis and have delivered several public lectures and published academic papers on related topics. My psychoanalytic training extended several years beyond the typical academic coursework required for a doctorate in psychology. Earlier in my doctoral studies, I studied for two years at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (now Sofia University) where I was educated in spiritually-informed clinical practice covering topics such as meditation, religion, aikido, psychedelics, and expressive arts therapies. I currently serve as associate director, co-founder, and faculty member of The New School for Existential Psychoanalysis where I facilitate a training program for therapists, provide supervision, and teach classes. This program is offered by Free Association Inc. a non-profit in San Francisco that has provided salon-style training in psychoanalysis since 1988. I also work with Free Association as a fundraiser and event organizer to launch Gnosis Retreat Center, a project to open a house in the Bay Area that would be an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization for those experiencing extreme or psychotic states.