Medicine-Assisted Therapy: Healing in an Altered State with Alissa Aune
A few episodes back, we told you about our own experiences with psychedelics, and we promised we'd bring in someone who actually does this work professionally. Meet Alissa Aune, a licensed marriage and family therapist with more than two decades of experience in developmental and relational trauma, and the founder of Embodied Journeys Collective.
Alissa walks us through what medicine-assisted psychotherapy really means in Minnesota right now, which is ketamine and cannabis. She explains what happens in a two-hour ketamine session, why the flower matters and gummies don't, and why the therapeutic dose of cannabis is roughly three times what she'd use recreationally without ever feeling high.
We dive into:
Why timing and screening matter, and who is not a good candidate right now
The difference between doing ketamine alone in a clinic and having a guide in the room
What "bad" journeys can teach you, including one of Alissa's own
The questions to ask any practitioner before you trust them with an altered state
Whether you can travel to a legal state for a session, and what Alissa is curious about doing next
If this is something you've been circling for a while, we hope this gives you enough real information to ask better questions. Start with your state's regulations, ask your own therapist what they know, and don't be shy about vetting whoever you choose. And if you've got a story about your own experience with any of this, we'd love to hear it.
About Alissa Aune
Alissa is a licensed marriage and family therapist with more than two decades of experience. She specializes in developmental and relational trauma, helping adults understand how early life experiences continue to shape the way they relate to themselves, others, and the world. Her work is grounded in the belief that our bodies hold our stories, and that lasting healing happens when we engage the whole person - mind, body, and spirit.
Her work integrates the Healing Our Core Issues model, somatic approaches, attachment theory, EMDR, and medicine-assisted psychotherapy. Beyond individual therapy, she is passionate about creating spaces where healing can happen in community. Through Embodied Journeys Collective, her hope is to bring together therapists, educators, bodyworkers, and wellness practitioners who share a common vision: to create a safe, trauma-informed environment where people can explore healing in many different ways. Rather than believing there's one path to healing, they believe that each person's journey is unique, and that healing often happens when people feel deeply seen, supported, and connected.
It is a privilege for her to walk alongside people as they rediscover their resilience, reclaim their personal power, and come home to themselves.
Alissa’s Links:
https://www.findingyourunity.com
https://www.embodiedjourneyscollective.com
Watch Alissa speak further on this topic HERE.
Review all resources here.
*Information shared on this podcast is not medical advice. If you have a concern about your physical or mental health, please seek support from a professional.
