Meet The Team

Matthew is the founder of Synaptic Institute, a naturopathic physician specializing in integrative mental health, post-doctoral research scholar with OHSU and NUNM, and a facilitator of psychedelic therapy. He also holds a degree in medical research and has authored peer-reviewed papers on empathy, mindfulness, and psychedelic topics.

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Olivia is a naturopathic physician and psilocybin facilitator specializing in holistic mental health care using psychedelic assisted therapy, somatic techniques, and psychospiritual herbalism. She serves as the executive director of Synaptic Institute,  managing students, supporting faculty, and teaching. 

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Greg is a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice and adjunct faculty at Lewis and Clark Graduate School. He works primarily with trauma, using EMDR, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, and mindfulness modalities. He serves as secretary of the board of directors of Synaptic, and teaches our setting and diagnosis courses.

Tahlia is a Marriage and Family Therapist Associate who provides supportive, trauma-informed individual and relational therapy. She also completed a Master of Science in Bioethics and Science Policy from Duke University and is currently a PhD candidate under the mentorship of Monnica Willaims. She serves as treasurer of the board of directors for Synaptic and oversees our ethics and equity curriculum.

Mano Camon, aka 'Churuwia' in his lineage, is a medicine man of Mexican and European descend, who practices shamanic healing and traditional medicine in both Mexican and Amazonian traditions. He has honed his skills under the mentorship of shamans of the Shuar nation from Ecuador, and of Mexico, where he received training in traditional herbalism and therapy, spirituality and conducting plant medicine ceremony.

He has been recognised a traditional doctor by COFEMITES (World Confederation for Integrative, Complementary and Traditional Medicine, and Education in Health), UDH (Ibero-american University of Science and Human Development), GAIPREM (Multiethnic Autonomous Indigenous Governorships of the Republic of Mexico), and by Dr.h.c. Hilario Chiriap, Spiritual leader of FSI (Sacred Fire of Itzachilatlan) of the Shuar Nation of Ecuador.

As a plant medicine singer and player of traditional musical instruments, Mano’s expertise includes working with Mexican and Amazonian plant medicines through which he has facilitated numerous transformative experiences for groups and individuals seeking spiritual and physical healing. His commitment to preserving and practicing these ancient traditions has earned him recognition as a knowledgeable and compassionate healer within the community

Emma Knighton, MA, LMHC, is a white, queer, able-bodied femme. She is a somatic trauma therapist, psychedelic integration therapist, embodied organizer, and conscious leader. In their clinical work, Emma works at the intersection of complex PTSD from childhood abuse, queer identity development, and consciousness exploration. Her clinical and leadership approach is grounded in queer, consent, feminist, and anti-oppression/pro-liberation theories. Emma teaches courses on integrating trauma-informed consent practices into psychedelic-assisted therapy and strives to be in service to the psychedelic space with integrated mind, body, spirit, and community. Emma is the co-founder and co-Executive Director of the American Psychedelic Practitioners Association, where she is focused on community building, systems healing, and empowering through education and shared resources. Emma holds a master's in counseling psychology from Bastyr University, a Certificate in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy and Research from CIIS, and a master’s level Certificate in Holistic Health from St. Catherine University. A lifelong learner, she is in sacred relationship with their ancestors, tree elders, plant teachers, and the collective consciousness.

Sunil is a Board-Certified Physician in Hospice and Palliative Medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as well as a Medical Geographer and serves as the Past Chair of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) Integrative Medicine Special Interest Group as well as an inaugural member of AAHPM’s Safe Use in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies Forum.

Peter has studied psychedelic substances and states and consciousness for 15 years. He earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology studying transpersonal psychology. Dr. Addy has presented internationally on a variety of subjects related to spirituality and transpersonal states, psychedelic science, and research methodology. He is currently a psychotherapist in private practice in Washington and Oregon.

Firstman is a co-founder of the Rastafari Indigenous Village in Jamaica where he is a ceremony guide for ganja and mushrooms, an advocate against discrimination of indigenous people and plant medicine, and a chanter and facilitator for spiritual gatherings and movements.

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Jarrod is a naturopathic physician, holistic nutritionist, and Ayurvedic practitioner. His passions for holistic care have led him in becoming a food security advocate, therapeutic chef, inquirer of the theosophical, and student in Synaptic’s psychedelic therapy facilitator training. Besides holistic health delivery, he enjoys board gaming, dancing, travel planning, and getting creative with botanical medicines.

Co-founder of AIMS Institute, naturopathic doctor, and neuroscientist, Leanna is also conducting a phase 1 trial of ayahuasca.

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Alison Draisin is the founder and CEO of Ettalew’s Edibles, past President of the Board of Directors for the Center for Cannabis and Social Policy (CASP), and an original member of Women of Weed. As an active member of the Washington State cannabis community, she speaks publicly on cannabis education locally and internationally.

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Ashley Collins is an Integration Counselor, Psychedelic Facilitator and Meditation Guide who has worked with healing, transformation and integration methods for the past ten years.

Erik Blender is a teacher of Yoga & Meditation, a Psychedelic Facilitator, and a musician/sound healer dedicated to connecting people to practices that awaken the mind, body and spirit. Ashley and Erik often teach together and individually with Synaptic.

Dr. Ian Luepker is a naturopathic physician licensed in Oregon. He has been in private practice for 20 years and worked on psychiatric units for 12 years. He approaches health and well-being from a holistic perspective by recognizing the complex interplay between mental, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual suffering. 

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Christine Calvert is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a certified Holotropic Breathwork® facilitator. She is a module facilitator and teacher for Grof Transpersonal Training both in the US and internationally. In addition to bringing Holotropic Breathwork® and other experiential workshops to mental health and addiction facilities, she is passionate about the ethics and integrity needed in facilitating expanded-state work.

Sara is a Naturopathic Doctor and Licensed Acupuncturist in Portland, Oregon, and co-founder of The Ren Clinic which offers trauma-informed integrative medicine. Her clinical training began in Social Work and this has heavily influenced her whole-systems approach to investigating the roots and branches of health and wellness.

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Kathryn L. Tucker is a national leader in advocating for improved care for seriously ill and dying patients. She has held key roles in various nonprofit organizations like the National Psychedelics Association, Completed Life Initiative, End of Life Liberty Project, Disability Rights Legal Center, Compassion & Choices, and Compassion in Dying. Tucker is a founding member of the Psychedelic Bar Association and has been active in initiatives like the Initiative on Psychedelics and Healing. In her legal career, she's been Special Counsel at Emerge Law Group and a litigation attorney at Perkins Coie. She has also taught law, medicine, and ethics at several universities. Currently, Tucker is involved in groundbreaking litigation under the Right to Try Act and petitions related to psilocybin therapy.

Bárbara Cerón Olvera is a Mexican woman from Nahuatl lineage. She is a professional musician playing the harp since her childhood. Parallel, she has been walking the path of traditional power plants (psychedelic) and holistic techniques for emotional health, she works as a facilitator, medicine musician and singer.

Barbara´s expertise skills includes guiding psilocybin ceremonies, temazcalli (steam baths), breathing works in contact with water, feminine circles, wedding, birth and funeral ceremonies, singing workshops for emotional connection, assistance at Ayahuasca ceremonies and as a counselor treating emotional difficult issues in integration circles or individual sessions.

She is committed to preserving the knowledge of the Mexican Ancestors trough the oral teachings and trough the loyal practice of the medicine rituals. She is currently studying the Nawatl language and the Mexica Anahuaca history, making research on the traditions of the Mexica ancestral society.