The Scoop: Psychedelics are transforming the way we approach mental health, offering relief and effective treatment for those struggling with various mental illnesses. To explore the transformative power of psychedelic therapy and plant medicine, we spoke with Jemie Sae Koo, MA, the founder & CEO of Psychable— a platform dedicated to connecting individuals with trusted resources and providers specializing in plant medicine, psychedelic therapy, and holistic approaches.
One thing unites nearly every form of mental health treatment: stigma. Whether you try talk therapy, psychiatric medication, psychoanalysis, CBT, EMDR, or a combination of these, somebody will probably have a judgment on it.
Add psychedelics or other substances classified as drugs (just like conventional medications) to the treatment mix, and it can become a public opinion minefield. But psychedelics have demonstrated incredible therapeutic value for a spectrum of mental health concerns, from chronic treatment-resistant depression to PTSD.
One of my close friends from college suffered from treatment-resistant mental illnesses for years. At 25, after nearly a decade of searching for treatment (some people spend several decades searching for effective treatment), she found the first thing that worked for her: ketamine treatments.
MDMA and psilocybin have also shown high potential in mental illness treatments, specifically in treatment for veterans with PTSD, as have plant medicines like mescaline, ayahuasca, and cannabis. Plant medicines and psychedelic treatments might feel like a new age development, but they’re not.
Indigenous communities worldwide have utilized psychedelics and plant medicines for centuries for various purposes. Much of the understanding we have today about the medicinal effects of psychedelics is rooted in the knowledge and traditions of these communities.
We spoke with Jemie Sae Koo, MA, the Founder and CEO of Psychable, about her own experiences with psychedelic and plant medicine along with how her team is helping people find trusted practitioners through the platform.
“I’m still here today thanks to these medicines and a more comprehensive, holistic approach to healing,” Jemie said. “I’ve incorporated these holistic practices into my private practice and into what we offer through Psychable.”
Psychable Connects People & Practitioners
Jemie told us she found her way to plant medicine and psychedelics through her own journey searching for effective treatment for depression. She told us she was a burnt-out, high-functioning depressive person who had been grappling with depression for as long as she could remember.
“All throughout my adulthood, I was dealing with depression,” Jemie said. “Really, ever since I was a child. I got really good at putting on a smile and pretending that the world and everything was fine. Eventually, after years of that, I became really sick with mysterious symptoms, to the point where I couldn’t even get out of bed.”
The body keeps the score, meaning that untreated or ignored mental illness will take a toll on your body, mind, and life. But ineffective treatment can take an equally devastating toll. Jemie told us by the time she had reached her breaking point, she had been looking for treatment that worked for her for years.
“At that point, I had spent tens of thousands of dollars seeing all types of conventional medical doctors,” Jemie said. “I had been on all types of antidepressants, SSRIs, anything under the sun – you name it, I’ve probably been on it. And nothing worked. I couldn’t find a doctor that could tell me what was wrong or even provide a diagnosis.”
The cycle of trying various treatments, and then it not working, is tiresome, overwhelming, and often makes the symptoms of depression or other mental illnesses worse. It can increase feelings of hopelessness and isolation. Ineffective treatment can be a nightmare.
“I hit rock bottom,” Jemie said. “It was my work with plant medicine that lifted me out of my depression for the first time in my life and gave me a renewed sense of purpose. I’m deeply passionate about this work, and deeply devoted – I have the utmost respect for these medicines and how they can be a catalyst for healing.”
Jemie’s personal experience with plant medicine, along with her educational background in psychology with a focus on psychedelic-assisted therapies, led her to found Psychable.
Psychable empowers people to find providers in their area for psychedelic therapy, while also helping them prepare, connect, and integrate their healing experiences. If local options aren’t available, the platform guides users to where they can access specific treatments.
Plant Medicine Heals, Restores, and Strengthens
Many of us are most familiar with the Western approach to mental health care. This approach tends to draw strict lines between the body and mind, seeing them as separate entities as opposed to a system that informs one another.
Jemie found a treatment that worked for her when she went beyond Western approaches. While plant medicine and psychedelic-assisted therapies have been highly effective for a variety of symptoms and diagnoses, finding a local and trusted provider can be a challenge, if not an impossibility.
“From the Western perspective, I have my Master’s in the field of psychology focused on psychedelic-assisted therapy,” Jemie said. “And from an indigenous perspective, I have trained, facilitated, and apprenticed with various indigenous communities.”
Psychedelic-assisted therapies are entering the mainstream healthcare stage in the U.S., but they’ve been around for thousands of years among indigenous communities around the world.
“These medicines originate from indigenous communities and are deeply rooted in their traditions and practices.,” Jemie said. “We’re talking about thousands and thousands of years of deep knowledge and wisdom that has been continually passed down through generations within their lineage..”
With the combination of her professional and personal experience with psychedelic therapy, Jemie wanted to improve access for others to the kinds of treatments that helped her so much. This was the founding principle behind Psychable.
“I didn’t see a solution,” Jemie said. “I leveraged all of my corporate and startup experience and founded Psychable. It was a way for me to apply my deep passion for the transformative power of psychedelics and plant medicine along with holistic healing.”
Psychable doesn’t just connect people with providers, though. The platform also has an abundance of guides and resources about plant medicine and psychedelic therapy, making it the perfect place to start for someone who’s curious and needs more information.
The platform provides courses on the fundamentals of plant medicine and psychedelic therapies, covering topics such as preparation, what to look for, and post-experience support. It also offers a comprehensive program for overcoming depression holistically and without the use of antidepressants.
“Our mission is to empower individuals on their respective healing journeys through safe, accessible, and reliable information,” Jemie said. “At its core, Psychable not only connects people with experienced providers in psychedelic therapy but also provides them with evidence-based information about these treatment options.”
Jemie Explores Psychedelic Therapy Processes
Jemie brought us through what an optimal psychedelic-assisted therapy session could look like. As with other forms of treatment, when you decide to pursue psychedelic-assisted therapy, it’s important to get the people you love in on your plan.
Partners are an important part of the mental health journey. Jemie told us partner support is essential for psychedelic therapy as well.
No matter where you are, whether you’re struggling or thriving, your mental health is going to impact your partner and your relationship.
“The process begins with an in-depth consultation with the practitioner,” Jemie started. “Preparation and integration are the bookends to a psychedelic therapy experience. It is crucial for the practitioner to thoroughly understand your situation, health history, current medications, and the reasons behind your decision to seek this type of treatment.”
The consultation and initial parts of the process ensure that you not only feel comfortable and safe with your provider but with the experience as a whole. Your provider will explain potential risks and thoroughly explain the process, ensuring you fully understand what to expect before going into a psychedelic experience.
“The next thing is preparation around set and setting,” Jemie said. “We have preparation sessions to help clients get ready for the experience and equip them to navigate any challenging emotions that may arise during the process.
The focus is on helping the client explore their goals for the session, set clear intentions, and approach the experience with a calm and centered state of mind..”
The practitioner ensures the space is peaceful, calm, and supportive of your intentions for the experience. They administer a safe and appropriate dose of the chosen psychedelic or plant medicine, guiding you as the experience begins.
Throughout the session, your provider is there to guide you and help you handle any emotions, sensations, or experiences you may encounter.
Psychedelic-assisted therapy is a process, and Jemie encourages individuals to share with their partners as much as they feel comfortable with. “It’s so important that they’re brought into this process,” she said. “Sometimes, they might have some skepticism.”
Jemie said acknowledging their skepticism, while not always easy, is an important step. This allows them to feel heard with their concerns, which in turn may make them more open to considering the process. Partners, much like those going through the treatment, also need access to educational resources.
“Reading studies and learning the science behind psychedelics may also help that loved one understand the potential of these treatment options,” Jemie said. “Also, hearing stories from people who have found healing through these treatments can be affirming and validating.”
No matter what kind of treatment a person seeks for their mental health, it takes more than medication, psychedelics, or therapy sessions to nurture long-term healing. For many people, healing means making changes to many aspects of their lives.
Jemie explained that Psychable’s holistic approach empowers individuals with tools, knowledge, and education — resources that are not always readily available — packaged conveniently in one place to help them start feeling better right away.
“The ultimate goal of psychedelic therapy, as part of a holistic approach, is to promote long-term well-being,” Jemie said. “True healing involves taking a comprehensive view of the individual and addressing root causes, which may include working with psychedelics and plant medicines alongside nutrition, environment, relationships, and lifestyle choices. It’s about identifying hidden factors contributing to illness, making meaningful changes, and integrating lessons from the psychedelic experience to live a life of greater alignment, authenticity, and purpose — while fostering better relationships with oneself and others.”
