John C. Rhead, PhD
Psychologist
Baltimore MD
My work with clients is based on the experience I have had and my ability to make a meaningful interpersonal connection with each client. I place a great deal of emphasis on the importance of the spiritual dimension of life and the pursuit of deep happiness. Such happiness is, I believe, directly connected with finding a meaningful way to live one’s life. I do not want to settle for superficial happiness in my own life, and encourage my clients to similarly go for the deeper kind of happiness that allows one to live (and die) without regrets.
I was born in Utah and raised in Colorado. I became interested in psychedelics in college and, as far as I know, was the first person to take a psychedelic (LSD) at Dartmouth. I planned on doing my doctoral dissertation at Stanford on psychedelics, but the political winds at the time blew in another direction, so I did my dissertation on hypnosis.
When I graduated (1971) I was lucky enough to have my first job be at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, where I joined Stan Grof, Bill Richards, and others in conducting psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy with alcoholics, people facing death, mental-health related professionals, and others. I felt amazingly fortunate to actually get paid for doing such fascinating and important work. I still feel very fortunate to be in a position to help people maximize the growth and self-actualization that they can get from experiences with psychedelics.
Expect to soon start integration groups for those who have had ketamine assisted psychotherapy