Going Inside: Healing Trauma from the Inside Out The Truth About Healing Complex PTSD with Psychedelics with Will Van Derveer
Jul 28, 2025
Dr. Will Van Derveer, a leading psychiatrist and psychedelic therapy researcher, shares fascinating insights into the transformative power of MDMA in trauma recovery. He reveals shocking statistics, such as an 83% recovery rate for treatment-resistant PTSD, and discusses the importance of well-trained therapists to prevent harm. Listeners learn how MDMA enhances emotional connections and self-compassion, while contrasting its effectiveness against traditional SSRIs. The conversation also highlights the need for mindful approaches in psychedelic therapy, emphasizing love and connection as key ingredients in healing.
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Psychiatrist's Training Journey
- Will Van Derveer sought EMDR training during his psychiatry residency despite limited institutional support.
- He found EMDR and somatic approaches more effective for trauma than conventional FDA-approved treatments.
Trauma as Nervous System Pattern
- Trauma is less about the event and more about the nervous system's reaction pattern.
- Healing requires culturing the capacity to observe trauma without being overwhelmed by it.
MDMA's Breakthrough PTSD Results
- MDMA-assisted therapy achieves remarkable recovery rates for severe, treatment-resistant PTSD.
- Long-standing trauma (decades) can be resolved in just a few MDMA sessions.