Melodye Watson, LCSW

Melodye Watson, a licensed clinical social worker, founded Pure Potential Unlimited, a therapy practice in Maryland that works online with clients in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Washington DC and California. She offers psychotherapy, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and preparation for and integration of psychedelic experiences.

Approach

Her work with individuals, families and communities goes back to 1998. She uses cognitive behavioural therapy, prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD and solution-focused therapy within a strengths-based approach that she calls culturally sensitive and responsive. Preparation for a ketamine or psychedelic-assisted session covers the purpose of the treatment, set and setting, music preferences, how touch will be handled and how to raise concerns during the experience. Integration helps clients make meaning of what happened and put it to practical use, through talk, journaling, art and movement. As a board-certified supervisor, she also supervises social workers seeking advanced licensure in Maryland.

Who it is for

Her focus is on people facing difficult life transitions or dealing with grief and loss, trauma, anxiety, depression or apathy. She also counsels teenagers and young adults, new parents and couples.

Practical details

A 90-minute intake costs $175, a 60-minute session $150, a 45-minute session $100 and a 60-minute couples or family session $200. Payment is by credit or debit card, a session cancelled less than 24 hours ahead may be charged in full, and clients check their own insurance cover. She holds licences in Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia, as well as North Carolina and California.

Care and safety

Before psychedelic-assisted work, clients must see their primary care provider for a medical assessment. After an initial consultation call, intake includes a biopsychosocial assessment and teaching about psychedelics and how psychedelic-assisted therapy works.