The Future of Holistic Mental Health | Bob Poynter on Consciousness, Heart-Brain Coherence & Healing

The Future of Holistic Mental Health | Bob Poynter on Consciousness, Heart-Brain Coherence & Healing

In this episode of Conversations with Dr. Wes, I sit down with Licensed Professional Counselor Bob Poynter for a fascinating exploration of consciousness, trauma recovery, heart-brain coherence, mindfulness, shadow work, and the deeper nature of healing.Together we discuss Bob's journey from working with children with autism and behavioral challenges to developing an integrative counseling approach that weaves together neuroscience, mindfulness, hypnotherapy, Eastern philosophy, HeartMath, and states of consciousness.We explore questions such as:• In what ways is healing about more than symptom reduction?• How does a therapist's own shadow work impact their effectiveness?• Are we more interconnected than we realize?• What is heart-brain coherence and how can it transform our emotional state?• How do alpha, theta, and other brainwave states influence healing and personal growth?• Can simple practices such as breathwork and heart-focused awareness help regulate anxiety, stress, and reactivity?The conversation also touches on Carl Jung, Ram Dass, mindfulness, nervous system regulation, the limits of human perception, ecological interconnectedness, and the possibility that consciousness extends beyond the stories we tell about ourselves.Whether you're a clinician, parent, seeker, or simply curious about the nature of healing and human potential, this episode offers a thought-provoking look at what it means to live with greater awareness, compassion, and coherence.Resources Mentioned:HeartMath Institutehttps://www.heartmath.org/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbDQwa3BnTjZ2bnNxMGVYb3lsZVJHNXNrSWxZQXxBQ3Jtc0tsOFhla0tHRWJxaVNCdWowczhSU19WNXFJWWNySjNmbGtKX0VFWlpmLWdrNDByYjd1dnQ0OTNNOWtEbmkxZmZPX3NHaS1sMG9tMUktcmd3Y25pLUhJNnRZX1B6a1FGc2RlNmZoS05FbWc3VE5HLXFJdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.heartmath.org%2F&v=bMy4Q2asEc4]Ram Dasshttps://www.ramdass.org/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjhFMHd6UTkyTVptdms1SXlYekFHZncwdkZBUXxBQ3Jtc0tsaDUtSUNfOHJfM3FxN0xhS2pmekthSWpWMEQ0SG1xNHhJMVNNT1Ezc2lrdG51SXh6dzRLSy1mNUVzVEVmWW80ZlZmdVRtOTFOVm9paGVIbm5xaTFLSFFEbWJBR1hlZE96eU95MEJUYTZCdWJIYlctMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ramdass.org%2F&v=bMy4Q2asEc4]Carl Jung Foundationhttps://cgjungny.org/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWhIVnRsNHNVcF84N1B2NnVZNl9haEZuNU9jQXxBQ3Jtc0tsZ0JSbXBfbjY3bEpYSkhjRWcxRW8yMnhTOFZMYVRBQl84cG00VjNPWmRBclZKanlaWldXcjZ2Uk05dlJobG9IdTA5VEhHWkNzVEh5NGNfZGdMY0UwVlkwOGpWY0o5S2hZVUV2Si1nZ3k3cWhQS1RXVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fcgjungny.org%2F&v=bMy4Q2asEc4]Polyvagal Theory (Stephen Porges)https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGdzZlJ4RE1ZTXpPaVdnN3REa3JOZEFSNjcyZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuMExBbUlwWDhhMEMxa0RPTDdxR2FFZzJTVnlySm80WEdKTFBBTGpDSk5nUmVBVWg4Q3Eta09BUXdTOUpNQjAzUHVlblg2dGlpMWZvbXlteF9fQ1ZZTTlZZE5mSDhycTR2aU5DTmdkdW9yZEphUU1sMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.polyvagalinstitute.org%2F&v=bMy4Q2asEc4]A Course in Miracleshttps://acim.org/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2J3MTcxSXBtcko2RVE0UlZFVjA5S3prZnJqZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsQnFRWThxOTUtV0xaX056NmJRWlFUWFRpNVRvRHlPXzdWa2xjNm5Ia3dPek9wUGR5UklEbzhpQVpna1BqS3c1NkVKMHFkdndveHV3RWZyNXRGMVI4MHZPTnMydDc3T3FrYlZkVFRiOWFFbG5RM2pwYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Facim.org%2F&v=bMy4Q2asEc4]Connect with Bob Poynter🌐 https://poyntercounseling.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVY4cy1ORnluUTFKNjBYWGZ5aE5NNG90VDlOUXxBQ3Jtc0tsVTVVbEN1Mlo3V1ppU2pHd2FxaFc2YVltNkVQMnRGcWp6aDN2ZEV0WGhrQzUyRDRhVFRrbkFQN1FGcmp5VVJxMkRpbkFoVzRYZXhoTjI1a2lRT3Y4TWdOZ3NqanppZXkwQ0Nja1BpSWxBTG94bEE5VQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fpoyntercounseling.com%2F&v=bMy4Q2asEc4]Connect with Dr. Wes🌐 https://docwes.com [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazFScDZKUV9IdVllVXRacHluNTBUOXBITWhBUXxBQ3Jtc0ttbGZnLXNnTVJ3NnZRTVlUejE2cXFZTFRpY2psUVZPazAwSFdNVDhhdzk5M1BpanRmZ3dEMnJwc0N3dkp3SmlnbjVkTlRCRlAxZHN0OW9HVFlGak02aFJ3ZUpxdktxbkRCZC1jbkJ3N1RmTFhYVXp0UQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdocwes.com%2F&v=bMy4Q2asEc4]🎙 Conversations with Dr. Wes

The Future of Psychedelic Therapy | Dr. Will Van Derveer on Trauma, Healing & Root Cause Integrative Psychiatry

Today on Conversations with Dr. Wes [https://www.youtube.com/@drwesrobins], I’m honored to welcome Dr. Will Van Derveer [https://www.willvanderveer.com/] for a deep and wide-ranging conversation on psychedelic therapy, trauma healing, and root cause integrative psychiatry. Dr. Van Derveer is a psychiatrist, educator, co-founder of the Integrative Psychiatry Institute [https://psychiatryinstitute.com/], Medical Director of Integrative Psychiatric Centers [https://psychiatrycenters.com/] in Boulder, Colorado, and co-author of Psychedelic Therapy. His work bridges conventional psychiatry, trauma-informed care, integrative medicine, and the rapidly evolving field of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. In this conversation, Will and I explore what it means to move beyond symptom management and into a more holistic vision of healing—one that includes trauma history, nervous system regulation, meaning-making, relationship, biology, spirituality, and consciousness itself. Together we dive into: • Root cause integrative psychiatry vs symptom-based psychiatry • Trauma, PTSD, and nervous system healing • Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for depression and suicidality • Psilocybin therapy and the evolving therapeutic landscape • MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD • Set, setting, intention, and why integration matters • The limitations of the DSM and reductionistic psychiatric models • Post-traumatic growth, resilience, and meaning-making • Addiction, suffering, and healing through a whole-person lens • The future of psychedelic therapy and mental health care This conversation moves beyond clinical frameworks into deeper human territory—exploring suffering, transformation, healing, and what it really means to care for the whole person. We talk about how healing is rarely linear, how psychedelic therapy can become a powerful catalyst when approached responsibly, and why lasting transformation ultimately asks more of us than symptom reduction—it asks us to live differently, relate differently, and integrate what we uncover. Will brings a rare balance of scientific rigor, clinical experience, humility, and openness to complexity. I’m grateful for his work and for the conversation we were able to share together. Thanks for listening. — Dr. Wes 📘 Psychedelic Therapy Learn more here [https://www.amazon.com/Psychedelic-Therapy-Revolutionary-Restoring-Reclaiming/dp/1645476049] 🌿 Integrative Psychiatry Institute [https://psychiatryinstitute.com/] 🏥 Integrative Psychiatry Centers [https://psychiatrycenters.com/] 🌐 docwes.com [https://www.docwes.com/] ✍️ Dr. Wes Substack [https://substack.com/@drwestonrobins] 🎙️ Conversations with Dr. Wes on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts

Pain as Portal | Katherine Chidiac on Suffering, Spiritual Growth & Radical Youth Work

In this episode of Conversations with Dr. Wes, I’m joined by Katherine Chidiac for a deep conversation on pain, suffering, spiritual growth, and the healing power of authentic relationship. Together we explore the idea that suffering is not always something to avoid or eliminate—but can become a portal into deeper awareness, transformation, and meaning. We talk about what it means to meet pain with presence, how relationship itself can become a healing force, and why some of our deepest wounds can also become openings into growth. We also dive into radical relational youth work, conscious parenting, mutual liberation, emotional maturity, and what young people are truly longing for beneath behavior, crisis, and labels. Katherine shares from her work with young people in London and from her own lived journey, bringing a grounded and heart-centered perspective rooted in love over fear, connection over control, and humanity over pathology. A rich conversation on pain, healing, beauty, and what it means to remain deeply human in a world that often asks us not to be. Katherine Chidiac Website [https://www.loveplan.be/] Katherine Chidiac Book [https://www.nowisnew.co.uk/katherine-chidiac]

Spirituality & Psychedelic Integration with Philip Vergo

In this episode of Conversations with Dr. Wes, I sit down with Philip Vergo founder of Psychedelic Actualization [https://psychedelicactualization.com/], ‪‬ [https://www.youtube.com/@PsychedelicActualization]for a deep exploration into psychedelic integration, consciousness, spirituality, nonduality, spiritual emergency, and the evolving future of the psychedelic movement.Together we explore the difference between peak experiences and true embodiment, why “life is the ceremony,” and how real transformation is less about chasing mystical states and more about how we show up to ordinary life, relationships, suffering, healing, and daily existence.We discuss psychedelic bypassing, ego and identity, epistemic humility, nervous system grounding, spiritual destabilization, transpersonal psychology, ecological mapping of substances, 5-MeO-DMT, and the delicate balance between awakening and remaining fully human.This conversation weaves together psychology, philosophy, spirituality, systems thinking, and consciousness exploration through an honest, grounded, and deeply human dialogue.Topics Include:• Psychedelic Integration• Spiritual Emergency• Nonduality & Consciousness• 5-MeO-DMT• Ram Dass, Alan Watts & Transpersonal Psychology• Ego, Identity & Awakening• Set & Setting• Psychedelic Risks & Destabilization• Embodiment & Nervous System Grounding• The Future of Psychedelic CultureConnect with Philip Vergo: Website [https://psychedelicactualization.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/psychedelicactualization/] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@PsychedelicActualization] Integration Resources [https://psychedelicactualization.com/free-integration-resources/] #Consciousness [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/consciousness] #Psychology [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/psychology] #Spirituality [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/spirituality] #Psychedelics [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/psychedelics] #Integration [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/integration] #Nonduality [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/nonduality] #5MeODMT [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/5meodmt] #Entheogens [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/entheogens] #plantmedicine [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/plantmedicine] #RamDass [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/ramdass] #AlanWatts [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/alanwatts] #TranspersonalPsychology [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/transpersonalpsychology] #ConversationsWithDrWes [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/conversationswithdrwes]

Psychedelics, Consciousness & Healing | Dr. Stacey Simmons | Conversations with Dr. Wes

In this deep and wide-ranging conversation, I sit down with Dr. Stacey Simmons [https://staceysimmonsphd.com/] — psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, researcher, certified psychedelic therapist, and author of Mushroom Pharmacy [https://www.amazon.com/Mushroom-Pharmacy-Practical-Psychedelic-Mushrooms/dp/0762487984] and The Queen's Path [https://www.amazon.com/Queens-Path-Revolutionary-Empowerment-Sovereignty/dp/1401993524]We explore the intersection of neuroscience, trauma healing, spirituality, archetypal psychology, consciousness, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.Topics include:• Psilocybin, ketamine, MDMA, ibogaine, ayahuasca, peyote, Bufo & the current psychedelic renaissance• Neurogenesis, synaptogenesis & the Default Mode Network (DMN)• Why preparation, harm reduction & integration matter deeply• Indigenous traditions, Maria Sabina & honoring sacred lineages• Addiction, healing & the difference between escape vs transformation• Jung, archetypes, spirituality & depth psychology• Masculine/feminine sovereignty and the limitations of conquest culture• Consciousness, unity & collective healing• The future of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and mental healthThis was one of the most honest and expansive conversations I’ve had yet on the podcast — grounded equally in science, soul, ethics, and lived experience.Books & Resources from Dr. Stacey Simmons:• Mushroom Pharmacy [https://www.amazon.com/Mushroom-Pharmacy-Practical-Psychedelic-Mushrooms/dp/0762487984] • The Queen’s Path [ https://www.amazon.com/Queens-Path-Revolutionary-Empowerment-Sovereignty/dp/1401993524]• Integrative psychedelic therapy & consciousness work [https://hope-therapy-center.com/team/stacey-simmons-therapist/]If this conversation resonates, please like, subscribe, share, and leave a comment. It genuinely helps the channel grow and allows these conversations to reach more people.Dr. Wes website [https://www.docwes.com/]Dr. Wes Substack [https://substack.com/@drwestonrobins?r=471tce&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page]#Psychedelics #Psychology #Consciousness #Psilocybin #MentalHealth #PlantMedicine #PsychedelicTherapy #TraumaHealing #Spirituality #DrWes #ConversationsWithDrWes #Neuroscience #HumanisticPsychology #TranspersonalPsychology #KetamineTherapy #Healing #Awareness