Explorer’s Club: Michael and Annie Mitheofer – MDMA Research, Presence & The Yoga of Relationships

A Ram Dass community exploring non-ordinary states of consciousness, (psychedelics), spirituality, and science.

Are you ready to step into an extraordinary realm with us? Join our vibrant community gatherings where we dive deep into the fascinating world of the psychedelic renaissance, all while celebrating the remarkable legacy of Ram Dass, a true trailblazer in this field.

Join the community and our special guests, Michael and Annie Mithoefer for an illuminating evening where we delve into the transformative journey of the last 25 years of research and the intricate regulatory process surrounding MDMA and psychedelic therapies. Our discussion will illuminate approaches to MDMA therapy, emphasizing the profound significance of mindful presence and authentic connection. We’ll also discuss the current status of the MAPS FDA process as well as the ethical challenges inherent in psychedelic research. Finally, we’ll delve into the unique dynamics of working with couples in MDMA-assisted therapy, unveiling the potential for deepened intimacy and healing within relationships. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights, engage in dialogue, and expand your understanding of the evolving landscape of psychedelic-assisted therapies.

To register, sign up for the Ram Dass Fellowship, and check “Explorer’s Club Fellowship” button under the Fellowship Group Options. You will be added to the mailing list and will receive monthly invitations to events.

MICHAEL AND ANNIE MITHOEFER

Michael and Annie Mithoefer have been instrumental in developing the MDMA protocols and standards of care that have been used in the ongoing MAPS FDA trials. They crafted the MAPS MDMA Therapy Training Program, a clinical training program that facilitates learning in the theory, skills, and practice of MDMA-assisted therapy. The MAPS training program has reportedly introduced MDMA-assisted therapy to over 2,000 interested mental health care professionals.

Michael Mithoefer, M.D., is a psychiatrist living in Asheville, NC, with a research office in Charleston, SC. In 2000, he began collaborating with MAPS on the first U.S. Phase 2 clinical trial of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. He and his wife Annie have since conducted many of the MAPS-sponsored Phase clinical trials testing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. He is now Senior Medical Director for Medical Affairs, Training and Supervision at MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC). He is a Grof-certified Holotropic Breathwork Facilitator, is trained in EMDR and Internal Family Systems Therapy, and has nearly 30 years of experience treating trauma patients. Before going into psychiatry in 1991, he practiced emergency medicine for ten years, served as medical director of the Charleston County and Georgetown County Emergency Departments, and has held clinical faculty positions at the Medical University of South Carolina. He has been board-certified in Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, and Internal Medicine.

Annie Mithoefer, B.S.N., is a Registered Nurse living in Asheville NC, where she is now focused primarily on training and supervising therapists conducting MAPS-sponsored clinical trials, as well as continuing to conduct some MAPS research sessions in Charleston, SC.

Between 2004 and 2018, she and her husband, Michael Mithoefer, M.D., completed two of the six MAPS-sponsored Phase II clinical trials testing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, as well a study providing MDMA-assisted sessions for therapists who have completed the MAPS Therapist Training, and a pilot study treating couples with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy combined with Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy. Annie is a Grof-certified Holotropic Breathwork Practitioner, is trained in Hakomi Therapy, and has 25 years of experience working with trauma patients, with an emphasis on experiential approaches to psychotherapy.