Preparing thoughtfully for the next frontier in psychiatric treatment.
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy represents one of the most significant developments in psychiatry in a generation. At Wave Psychiatric Group, we are taking it seriously — not as a trend, but as a clinical discipline that demands rigorous training, careful patient selection, and deep respect for the nature of the work.
Where we stand
We want to be straightforward with you about what Wave currently offers and what we are preparing for.
At present, Wave does not offer psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in any form. We have made the deliberate decision to pause while the clinical, regulatory, and safety landscape continues to develop — and to enter this space only when we can do so with the rigor and infrastructure that this work genuinely requires. We believe that is the responsible position for a physician-led psychiatric practice.
Dr. Lyu and Dr. Schneider have both completed the year-long Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy certification program through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute, one of the most respected training programs in this field. They are clinically prepared and closely following the regulatory landscape. We will expand our services in this area when the legal framework, the evidence base, and our own clinical readiness align to support doing it well.
Why we take this work seriously
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is not a straightforward pharmacological treatment. It is a complex therapeutic modality in which the medicine, the therapeutic relationship, the set and setting, and the integration process all play meaningful roles in the outcome. It asks more of both the patient and the clinician than a standard medication trial — and it can produce experiences that are profound, disorienting, and in some cases transformative in ways that require careful clinical and personal support to navigate well.
The enthusiasm surrounding psychedelics in popular culture — the documentaries, the wellness retreats, the venture-backed startups — has in some ways outpaced the science and created expectations that do not always align with the clinical reality. Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is not appropriate for everyone. It carries real contraindications, real risks in patients with certain psychiatric histories, and real requirements for careful screening, preparation, and follow-up. The research, while promising, is still developing in several areas.
At the same time, we do not dismiss the depth of what patients and research participants have reported in clinical and observational settings. The experiences facilitated by psychedelic medicines can be meaningful in ways that go beyond symptom reduction — touching on questions of meaning, identity, connection, and spirituality that conventional psychiatric treatment rarely addresses directly. We take that seriously. Our approach to this field is grounded in the clinical evidence, informed by the psychotherapeutic literature, and held with genuine respect for the dimensions of this work that extend beyond what a randomized controlled trial can fully capture.
We are not in a hurry. We are getting ready to do this right.
What the evidence currently shows
We believe patients deserve an honest account of where the science stands — not a promotional summary.
Psilocybin
Clinical trials of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and end-of-life distress have produced results that are genuinely notable — effect sizes that in some trials exceed those of conventional antidepressants, with a durability that outlasts the acute pharmacological effects of the compound. The proposed mechanisms involve neuroplasticity, default mode network disruption, and the facilitation of psychological flexibility and insight. The research is promising and ongoing. It is not yet sufficient to make strong claims about long-term outcomes, optimal patient selection, or the relative contribution of the pharmacological and psychotherapeutic components.
MDMA
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD has produced compelling results in Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials, with response rates substantially higher than those seen with existing PTSD treatments. The FDA's review process for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has been ongoing and the regulatory path remains in progress. The therapeutic model — in which MDMA is used to reduce fear and defensiveness during intensive psychotherapy sessions — is clinically and pharmacologically distinct from recreational MDMA use and requires a carefully structured protocol to be delivered safely and effectively.
Ketamine
Ketamine occupies a unique position in the current psychedelic landscape. As an FDA-approved anesthetic that has been used safely in medical settings for decades, it is legally available for off-label psychiatric use and has a meaningful evidence base for treatment-resistant depression and other conditions. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy — delivered in a carefully structured clinical context with appropriate screening, monitoring, and integration support — represents a legitimate and in some cases highly effective treatment approach. The evidence base for clinical ketamine use was developed almost entirely in the context of monitored intravenous, intramuscular, or intranasal administration, with careful dose control, clinical supervision during the session, and structured integration support afterward.
Other compounds
Research into other psychedelic compounds — including LSD, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline — is at earlier stages and more varied in quality. We follow this literature with interest and will incorporate emerging evidence into our clinical thinking as it develops. We do not recommend or facilitate access to any of these compounds outside of legal, regulated clinical contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy legal?
Currently in the United States, the legal landscape is in active transition. Oregon and Colorado have established state-level regulatory frameworks for supervised psilocybin services, though the clinical model in those states differs from the medical psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy model being developed through the FDA approval process. California has not yet established a comparable framework. We are monitoring developments at both the state and federal level closely.
Are you currently offering any psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy?
No. Wave does not currently offer psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in any form, including ketamine. We have paused our ketamine program while the broader field develops, and we are preparing to offer emerging treatments when they become legally available and when we can deliver them with appropriate clinical infrastructure and rigor.
What can I do now if I am interested in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy?
We can conduct a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to assess your history, your treatment trajectory, and whether you are likely to be a good candidate for psychedelic-assisted therapy when it becomes available. We can also discuss the current evidence base honestly and help you think through realistic expectations. Reach out through our contact form or call our office to schedule.
How do I know if I would be a good candidate?
Candidate suitability depends on a range of factors including your diagnosis, your psychiatric and medical history, your current medications, your psychological stability, and your capacity for the kind of deep introspective work these treatments involve. Contraindications include personal or family history of psychosis or bipolar I disorder, among others. A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation is the essential starting point for any meaningful conversation about candidacy.
Do you take a spiritual approach to this work?
We hold a deep respect for the spiritual and existential dimensions that many patients encounter in psychedelic experiences — dimensions that the clinical research literature has increasingly acknowledged rather than pathologized. At the same time, our clinical framework is grounded in psychiatric medicine and evidence-based psychotherapy. We do not position Wave as a spiritual or ceremonial practice, and we do not believe that framing is necessary to honor the depth of what this work can involve. These two things — rigorous clinical medicine and genuine respect for the fullness of human experience — are not in conflict, and we hold both.