Show Notes
Episode 31 explores the sacred role of nursing in psychedelic-assisted therapy with Wendy Marussich, RN, MS, PMHNP, PhD, co-founder of the Organization of Psychedelic and Entheogenic Nurses (OPENurses). Wendy shares her unique journey from evolutionary ecologist to oncology nurse to psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and discusses why nurses are uniquely suited for psychedelic work.
Highlights:
- Wendy’s unconventional path from PhD biologist to oncology nurse, driven by a desire for more meaningful, heart-centered work that could make a tangible difference in people’s lives
- How nurses’ training in grounded presence, “non-awkward touch,” and crisis management translates perfectly to psychedelic support work—from holding space during difficult journeys to recognizing when someone needs medical intervention
- The critical importance of discussing consent and boundaries around touch before a session, including practical techniques like testing different types of touch beforehand and using “imaginal touch” when physical contact isn’t desired
- The mission of OPENurses: Creating professional support, education, and ethical standards for nurses working in psychedelic therapy, while advocating for full inclusion of nurses in this emerging field
- Why having a nurse in the room automatically increases safety as they can authoritatively reassure patients about medical status in a way that truly lands, especially in altered states when perception is heightened
- Pathways for nurses interested in psychedelic work, including ketamine training programs, experiential learning, and the importance of doing your own inner work before supporting others
Bio
Wendy Marussich, RN, MS, PMHNP, PhD, started her career as an evolutionary ecologist, completing a bachelors, PhD, and postdoctoral fellowship in biology. She then became disillusioned with academia and decided to become a nurse to seek more meaning and geographic flexibility in her life. She began working as an oncology nurse and immediately fell in love with oncology patients and oncology nursing.
After reading about the groundbreaking psychedelic research trials with cancer patients at UCLA, NYC, and Johns Hopkins to treat depression, anxiety, and end-of-life distress, she trained in psychedelic-assisted therapy and research through the California Institute for Integral Studies (CIIS) Certificate program. Along with 3 classmates from that program, she then co-founded OPENurses (Organization of Psychedelic Entheogenic Nurses). She also completed a 2-year Hakomi therapist training in somatic mindfulness psychotherapy, and she trained in ketamine-assisted therapy through the Psychedelic Research and Training Institute (PRATI) in Colorado. To help further address the mental health needs of her cancer patients, she decided to return to school (yet again!!) to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) at UCSF. She then completed a one-year Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship in Psycho-Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. She then returned to San Francisco to join Mindful Health Solutions as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Links
- Open Nurses (Organization of Psychedelic and Entheogenic Nurses): https://www.openurses.org
- Open Nurses YouTube Channel: Monthly interview series with nurses working in psychedelic spaces: https://www.youtube.com/@OPENurses
- Open Nurses Facebook Group: Community support and networking: https://www.facebook.com/OPENurses
- The Microdose Newsletter: Free newsletter from UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics – https://psychedelics.berkeley.edu/about-the-microdose/
- PRATI (Psychedelic Research and Training Institute): Ketamine training program in Colorado – https://pratigroup.org
- Polaris Insight Center: Psychedelic therapy training – https://www.polarisinsight.com
- Zendo Project: Peer support for people having difficult psychedelic experiences at festivals – https://zendoproject.org
- Kay Parley’s Article: “Supporting the Patient on LSD Day” – American Journal of Nursing, 1964
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