Beckley Academy Strengthens Psychedelic Therapy Training Team with New Facilitators

LOS ANGELES- Beckley Academy, a prominent training organization specializing in the preparation of mental health professionals for psychedelic therapies, has announced the addition of two new facilitators to their team, Sara Gael Beauregard and Mary Sanders. Both bring a wealth of experience and expertise in psychedelic therapy, significantly enhancing the academy’s capacity to train practitioners in the administration and facilitation of these innovative treatments.

Mary Sanders, LCSW, combines her role as a psychotherapist with her commitment to social justice, focusing on transgenerational trauma among diverse groups including BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, veterans, immigrants, refugees, and foster youth. Her credentials are extensive, with training from CIIS CPTR, MAPS, and the Ketamine Training Center. She is notably certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and is a founding board member of the People of Color Psychedelic Collective. Sanders is renowned for her dedication to collective healing through an intersectional approach and is a strong advocate for community-oriented, accessible, and culturally sensitive care.

Sara Gael Beauregard, MA, LPC, is a distinguished psychedelic therapist, educator, and mentor, with a specialization in MDMA-Assisted Therapy, ketamine-assisted therapy, and psychedelic risk reduction. Her experience includes working as an Investigator in MAPS Public Benefit Corporation’s Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials, focusing on MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD. Currently a Lead Educator and Associate Supervisor with MAPS PBC, she also held pivotal roles at the Integrative Psychiatry Institute, contributing significantly to their Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Training programs.

Deborah Gardner, the Head of Education at Beckley Academy, emphasized the value of relationships in the learning process, stating that the online classroom environment is an opportunity for rich discussion, reflection, and the practice of embodied skills. She highlighted that Beauregard and Sanders, joining an already diverse faculty including Karina Sergi and Danielle Herrera, bring a variety of experiences from clinical trials and therapy practices.

Beckley Academy, co-founded by Beckley Waves and influenced by Amanda Feilding’s Beckley Foundation, is dedicated to shaping global drug policy through research and education. The academy, initially funded by Beckley Waves, positions itself as a leading training institution for mental health professionals in the field of psychedelic therapies, particularly with substances like ketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA.

John Yoo, CEO of Beckley Academy, underscored the importance of skilled instructors in bringing the course material to life. He expressed his enthusiasm and honor in having Beauregard and Sanders on board, especially as they represent women and women of color in this emerging field. Their appointments are seen as a significant step forward in enriching the academy’s training program and fostering diversity in the realm of psychedelic therapy.