Mary Sanders, LCSW, is a dynamic psychotherapist and fervent social justice advocate, infusing passion into both her clinical endeavors and community initiatives. With over a decade of experience in community mental health, she’s provided transformative psychotherapy and clinical case management to BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, veterans, immigrants, refugees, foster youth and families grappling with complex post-traumatic stress disorder, developmental trauma, and various forms of oppression. Her journey took a distinctive turn while working with Iraqi and Syrian refugees, igniting a quest to explore the frontiers of psychedelic medicine as a catalyst for healing. Trained in psychedelic-assisted therapy at CIIS CPTR, MAPS, and the Ketamine Training Center, Mary is also equipped with certifications in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, and Internal Family Systems. She’s a founding member of the People of Color Psychedelic Collective, championing inclusivity and accessibility in healing spaces.
As an esteemed instructor at UC Berkeley’s Center for the Science of Psychedelics Facilitation Certificate program, Mary delves into the historical roots of oppression, advocates for collective healing through an intersectional approach, and sparks dialogues on community-centric infrastructures rooted in accessibility and cultural sensitivity. Mary’s inquiries delve deep into cultivating ecosystems where psychedelic medicine finds firm grounding within community care