ASSISTANTS (PSYCHEDELIC SITTERS)

As part of our commitment to best practices in Psychedelic Guiding, our Natural Medicine support sessions are provided by a professional from our clinical team as well as an assistant (sitter). This group of talented individuals possesses a wide range of expertise in psychedelic harm reduction, medicine practices, and integration services. They are honored to be supporting these transformational experiences.

Alicia Pingul

Psychedelic Sitter
(She/Her)

Originally from Washington state, Alicia recently relocated to Colorado to pursue a new life with her two children. Professionally, Alicia is a Microdosing & Psychedelic Integration Coach, Breathwork Facilitator, and a Psychedelic Guide. She completed training in Mindfulness-Based Psychedelic Therapy through the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness. Alicia is trained by advanced practitioners at the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness in Psilocybin Support Services and Harm Reduction. She is also trained in Addiction Recovery and Psychedelic Integration Coaching through an organization called Being True to You. Additionally, she has successfully completed Breathwork Facilitator Training and Microdosing Coach Training, through the Screamwork Breathwork Facilitator Training program and the Microdosing Institute, respectively. Alicia identifies as a LGBTQI+ ally and is committed to the path of conscious leadership. She is honored to support clients through the transformational process of psychedelic journeywork.

Alix Kirschner, BA

Psychedelic Sitter
(She/Her)

Alix Kirshner, known for her compassion and dedication, has received advanced training and credentialing in Mindfulness-Based Psychedelic Guiding with the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness. Her journey into psychedelics began with a desire to explore the human mind’s healing potential, backed by a Bachelor’s degree from Umass Boston. Relocating to Colorado in 2022, Alix immersed herself in the vibrant psychedelic community, becoming an integral part of the Medicinal Mindfulness community as a sitter. Her passion for psychedelic therapy is deeply personal, rooted in transformative experiences that helped her navigate life and death, leading to self-discovery and self-compassion.

Alix provides a safe and supportive space for individuals on their therapeutic journeys. Her empathy and understanding of psychedelics’ power enable her to guide others with wisdom and care. Alix firmly believes in the transformative potential of psychedelic therapy, seeing these substances as tools for unlocking inner healing and personal growth. With genuine enthusiasm, she contributes to the advancement of psychedelic therapy, aspiring to create a more compassionate and interconnected world.

Austin Leffel, BA

Intake Coordinator and Psychedelic Sitter for the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness
(He/Him)

Austin was called to the healing potential of psychedelic medicines in 2018, and after experiencing the benefits of this work first-hand, he is dedicating his life to helping others find their own deep healing in this way. With experiential learning at the heart of Austin’s personal and professional development, he has experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds who are interested in cultivating a deeper connection to oneself, breaking the cycle of addiction and problematic substance use as coping mechanisms, and exploring the depths of spirituality in a collaborative and non-judgemental capacity.

Austin has completed advanced training and credentialing in Mindfulness Based Psychedelic Guiding as well as trauma-informed somatic interventions and suicide prevention. He was also trained by advanced practitioners at the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness in Psilocybin Support Services and Harm Reduction. Austin works full time at our clinic in Boulder and is honored to be collaborating closely with our Clinical & Medical Directors in providing high quality care to our clients. Austin identifies as a BIPOC and LGBTQI+ ally and is committed to supporting individuals from all walks of life on their healing journey.

Britton Westendorp-Holland

Psychedelic Sitter & Cannabis Consultant
(He/Him)

Britton is trained by advanced practitioners at the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness in Psilocybin Support Services and Harm Reduction. In addition to this, he has successfully completed Psychedelic First Aid which includes CPR certification, psychedelic mental health crisis intervention and suicide intervention training. He has also successfully completed coursework in Mindfulness-Based Psychedelic Guiding and Cannabis-Assisted Somatic Psychotherapy with the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness. Britton has been assisting in the Medicinal MIndfulness clinic, training program, and public events since 2018. His time working with the program has allowed him to study and work with a myriad of medicines in a clinical setting. He has been offering private Cannabis Consulting to our clients since 2018 as well. Currently, he is enrolled at Naropa University and is working towards receiving his BA in Art Therapy. Britton has experience working with those looking to shift or deepen their relationship with these medicines and themselves in a safe container and nonjudgmental space.

Daryck Thompson, BA

Psychedelic Sitter
(He/Him)

Daryck has been a psychedelic explorer for over 15 years, with a mainstay in the intentional use of psychedelic medicines. He completed his BA in Philosophy from the University of Denver in 2011. Daryck has been an intentional medicine practitioner and involved in psychedelic harm reduction for 6 years, having also taken Mindfulness-Based Psychedelic Guiding with the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness. Daryck is trained by advanced practitioners at the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness in Psilocybin Support Services and Harm reduction. Exploring and employing varieties of paradigms and modalities, he approaches the work through an open embracing and critical philosophic lens, suitably using a balance of critical thought and intuition to help explore, process, and integrate experiences and apply appropriate insights and learned lessons into the proper modes and aspects of life. Compassion, grace, balance, and curiosity are virtues of his practice. Daryck identifies as part of the BIPOC community as well as an LGBTQIA ally and advocate, being focused on understanding, equality and equity for all.

Grace Althea

Psychedelic Sitter
(She/Her)

Grace Althea is a passionate trauma recovery specialist with extensive experience in psychedelic guiding. She is trained and certified through the International Association of Trauma Recovery Coaching. In addition, she has completed a range of courses through The Center for Medicinal Mindfulness, including Mindfulness-Based Psychedelic Guiding and Psychedelic First Aid, which includes a CPR certification, psychedelic mental health crisis intervention, and suicide intervention training. She holds valuable education and experience in Internal Family Systems, relational healing, and polyvagal/nervous system regulation practices. With five years of experience as a psychedelic guide working frequently with clients with C-PTSD, she adeptly holds space for profound emotions and transformative experiences.

Grace Althea is a neurodivergent individual, a proud member of the LGBTQI+ community and an ally to BIPOC and other marginalized communities.

Lux Sterling

Psychedelic Sitter
(She/They)

Lux has been trained in Mindfulness-Based Psychedelic Guiding as well as Cannabis-Assisted Somatic Psychotherapy through the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness. She is enrolled at Naropa University, studying Psychology with a concentration in Somatic Psychology.

Lux identifies as a multiethnic, QTBIPOC individual. Anti-racism, accountable leadership and community care are at the forefront of what Lux works towards. They are motivated by what safety, presence, understanding and belonging can look like for everyone, especially as we move through the world together, in this good, psychedelic way. Lux is hopeful about helping to hold complex and informed containers to move through the social, historical & emotional barriers that may impede some individuals from accessing healing.

She has had a personal medicine practice for over a decade, and has been an intentional medicine worker with her community for a few years. Lux has been sitting with individuals and groups at Medicinal Mindfulness over the past year. Infinitely humbling, this work is one of the greatest honors and joys in her life.

Mary Duckstein

Psychedelic Sitter
(She/Her)

Mary Duckstein has always been drawn to the transformative potential of these medicines and feels honored to be of service to those who are considering psychedelic therapy as a course of healing. After experiencing years of personal growth through her own sessions, she completed advanced training and credentialing in Mindfulness-Based Psychedelic Guiding through the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness, as well as a trauma course in Cannabis-Assisted Somatic Psychotherapy. Mary is trained by advanced practitioners at the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness in Psilocybin Support Services and Harm Reduction. She has also received Wilderness First Aid training from Wilderness Medical Associates International which includes CPR certification and crisis intervention. Her experience includes Mastering Awareness training through the White Raven Center in Alaska, where she began participating and holding space in breathwork journeys in 2016, as well as coursework from the Grof Transpersonal Training Institute. She is grateful to be collaborating with the clinical team at the Center to support clients in living into their potential.

Mary identifies as a cis white member of the LGBTQI+ community and an ally to the BIPOC and other marginalized communities.