Supporting Veterans Through Psychedelic Assisted Therapy
Many veterans return home carrying experiences that are difficult to put into words. Trauma, loss, and the strain of service can show up as post traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, or challenges with substance use. While traditional treatments can be helpful, they do not work for everyone. This has led many veterans to explore new and carefully supported approaches to healing.
One organization that has been at the forefront of this work is Heroic Hearts Project.
What Is Heroic Hearts Project
Heroic Hearts Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping veterans access psychedelic assisted therapy in safe and supportive environments. Their work focuses on connecting veterans with carefully vetted programs, providing education about what to expect, and offering integration support after these experiences.
The mission is grounded in a simple but powerful idea. Veterans deserve access to the full range of options that may support healing, especially when conventional treatments have not been enough.
Over the past several years, Heroic Hearts Project has supported thousands of veterans in exploring therapies that include substances such as psilocybin and ibogaine in legal and structured settings. Just as important, they have helped build a community where veterans can share experiences, reduce isolation, and feel understood by others who have walked a similar path.
My Role in Training and Education
I serve as Director of Training and Education with Heroic Hearts Project. In that role, my focus is on helping ensure that the care veterans receive is thoughtful, ethical, and grounded in evidence based practice.
This includes:
Developing training programs for facilitators who work with veterans
Providing education about trauma informed care and harm reduction
Supporting best practices for preparation and integration
Helping bridge the gap between emerging psychedelic therapies and established mental health care
My background as a psychologist and my experience working with veterans in clinical settings both inform this work. The goal is not just to expand access, but to do so in a way that prioritizes safety, respect, and long term outcomes.
Why Preparation and Integration Matter
Psychedelic assisted therapy can be powerful. At the same time, it is not a stand alone solution.
What often makes the difference is the process that surrounds the experience. This includes preparation beforehand and integration afterward.
Preparation helps veterans understand what they are stepping into, build skills for navigating difficult moments, and clarify their intentions. Integration helps make sense of the experience and translate insights into meaningful changes in daily life.
Without this support, even profound experiences can lose their impact over time. With it, they can become part of a broader and more sustainable path toward healing.
A Veteran Centered Approach to Care
Veterans bring unique strengths to this work. Discipline, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose can all support the healing process. At the same time, military culture and experiences can shape how trauma is carried and expressed.
Effective care needs to take both into account.
Through my work with Heroic Hearts Project and in my private practice in Boulder Colorado, I aim to provide care that is both evidence based and deeply respectful of each individual’s experience. This includes a focus on post traumatic stress, depression, substance use, and the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life.
Moving Forward
Interest in psychedelic assisted therapy for veterans continues to grow. Research is expanding. Public awareness is increasing. And organizations like Heroic Hearts Project are helping ensure that this growth is guided by care and responsibility.
If you are a veteran exploring new approaches to mental health, it can be helpful to start with a conversation about therapy for veterans. Understanding your options, your goals, and what support looks like for you is an important first step.
Healing is not a one size fits all process. But with the right support, it is possible to move toward greater clarity, stability, and a renewed sense of direction.
