In this episode of "Greetings from the Garden State," host Mike Ham sits down with Denise Rue, founder of the New Jersey Psychedelic Therapy Association and a licensed clinical social worker. Denise shares her fascinating journey from being a speech-language pathologist and poet to becoming a leading advocate for psychedelic therapy. She discusses her transformative experiences with psilocybin in Jamaica and the profound impact it had on her life and career. Denise also delves into the current legislative efforts to legalize psilocybin therapy in New Jersey, highlighting the potential benefits for mental health treatment. This episode offers a deep dive into the world of psychedelic therapy, breaking down misconceptions and exploring its therapeutic potential.

https://njpta.net/

Music: "Ride" by Jackson Pines
jacksonpines.com

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Contact the show: mike@greetingsfromthegardenstate.com

00:00:23: Introduction and Welcome
00:01:14: Denise's Background and Connection to Bill Anthes
00:02:00: Denise's Journey from California to New Jersey
00:02:33: Educational Background and Career Path
00:04:06: Transition from Poetry to Hypnosis
00:07:23: Working with Trauma and Mental Health
00:10:29: First Psilocybin Experience in Jamaica
00:12:15: Description of a Psilocybin Retreat
00:15:01: Impact of Psilocybin on Denise's Career
00:17:26: The Healing Potential of Psilocybin
00:19:46: Denise's Role in Jamaica and Return to New Jersey
00:22:38: Founding the New Jersey Psychedelic Therapy Association
00:24:57: Advocacy and Education Efforts
00:26:16: Details of the Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Services Act
00:33:12: Importance of Integration in Psychedelic Therapy
00:36:03: Legislative Process and Future Steps
00:38:29: Testifying Before the Senate
00:41:26: Shifting Paradigms in Mental Health Treatment
00:44:46: Resources for Learning More About Psilocybin
00:47:05: Final Thoughts on Mental Health and Inner Life

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