Michael Hofrath Ph.D.

Michael Hofrath, PhD, offers somatic depth psychology, EMDR and psychedelic preparation and integration through his practice, Body Mind Wholeness, with offices in Carmel-by-the-Sea and Santa Barbara, California, and sessions online. He also works as a shamanic practitioner and offers entheogen facilitation.

Approach

Hofrath holds an MA and a PhD in depth psychology, with an emphasis on somatic science, from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Carpinteria. He trained in psychedelic-assisted therapy with the Integrative Psychiatry Institute and the Vital programme of Psychedelics Today, and is certified in EMDR, NeuroAffective Touch and the Integrative Trauma Treatment Model. His shamanic training, over more than two decades, draws on Shipibo, Celtic and Q’ero traditions. He describes his method as bottom-up: it starts with the body, which he sees as a bridge between the unconscious and the conscious mind, and adds Jungian, psychodynamic work on where a trauma began. He also offers ketamine-assisted EMDR and mandala art therapy.

Who it is for

He names veterans and first responders among the people he serves, along with people living with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression or addiction. He co-wrote the Warrior Integration Now programme and led its somatic therapy, and he headed trauma and experiential healing at an organisation for veterans with PTSD. He has also worked with addiction treatment centres such as Sierra Tucson, Sabino Recovery and Seasons Malibu.

Practical details

Sessions take place in person in Carmel and Santa Barbara or remotely, and a free 15-minute consultation comes first. Fees have been listed at $200 to $300. He also teaches courses on shamanic journeying and on ceremonial facilitation.

Care and safety

Preparation for work with psychedelic medicines includes a psychological and medical assessment, trauma-informed screening, intention setting, planning a support system and education about altered states. Integration afterwards centres on somatic processing and steadying the nervous system.