Harley

My name is Harley and I am an Entheogenic End of Life Doula trained in delivering Psychedelic Assisted Therapy.

I specialise in an emerging complementary therapy that utilises entheogens to help address depression, anxiety and foster a sense of peace and acceptance when approaching death. Entheogens – also called visionary plant medicines are psychoactive substances that are used to induce altered states for the purpose of personal growth and spiritual development.

The diagnosis of a life limiting illness can be one of the most difficult periods of a person’s life. I believe it also represents a powerful opportunity to reconnect with sacredness, and bring about deep spiritual, personal and familial healing. I aim to help the traveler and their loved ones to navigate the end of life landscape, providing support, complementary therapies, education, and assistance with planning. I fully support people who wish to investigate and undertake Voluntary Assisted Dying.

 

As for me; I’m a devoted husband, father of two beautiful kids, a keen gardener, a student of spiritual non-dualism, and I also work as an Advanced Life Support Paramedic in emergency ambulances. I have worked with various entheogens for my own spiritual and personal development. Visionary plant medicines, meditation, and my spiritual practice are all important tools that I have used to improve and maintain my own well-being. My time working as a paramedic has allowed me to have a close proximity to death and dying, and to understand that significant opportunities exist to improve the end of life journey. I’m inspired to work in the end of life field, to help travellers live their best life, and die well, with grace and dignity.

I see death as a sacred right of passage that we must all go through, and I am humbled and honoured to accompany travellers along their journey.

 

What role Entheogens can play in end-of-life care

Entheogens, also called visionary plant medicines or psychedelics are one of the many complementary therapies that are sometimes sought by people with life limiting illnesses. Clinical trials with cancer patients undertaken by Johns Hopkins University and the Imperial College of London have shown that entheogens such as Psilocybin from “Magic Mushrooms” can occasion spiritual experiences, and cause drastic reductions in depression, anxiety and existential dread. An Australian clinical trial at St Vincent’s Hospital using Psilocybin for palliative patients is ongoing.

 

In recognition of the evidence that Psychedelic Assisted Therapy is both safe and effective, the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia (TGA) has recently rescheduled Psilocybin to allow its prescription by authorised psychiatrists for treatment resistant depression, and I hope upon the completion of the St Vincents clinical trial, that the indication will be expanded to include people facing life limiting illnesses.

 

Significant barriers still exist in accessing this medicine legally, the restrictions and safeguards in place make this therapy all but inaccessible for most people for the time being. I am working on building collaborations that will allow streamlined access for clients, but it is early days in the rollout, and the system moves slowly ):

 

In the meantime I cannot provide or administer Psilocybin, but if you choose to integrate visionary plant medicines into your end of life journey, I have the knowledge and experience to provide education, help to prepare you for the experience, accompany you as a ‘sitter’, providing a safe, held space, and help you integrate the experience afterwards. I am passionate about this emerging complementary therapy, so if you’re curious drop me a message and we can have a chat!

 

My Training

Bach. Paramedicine – Monash University

Certified End of Life Doula – Preparing the Way

Certificate in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy – Mind Medicine Institute

 

Undergraduate Certificate of Mental Health – Monash University

Peer Reviewed Research into Entheogenic End of Life Therapy

*Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial

*Use of the Classic Hallucinogen Psilocybin for Treatment of Existential Distress Associated with Cancer

*Long-term follow-up of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for psychiatric and existential distress in patients with life-threatening cancer

 

*Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial

 

*TGA’s announcement of the rescheduling of Psilocybin

 

What I don’t do

– Although I am medically trained, as a doula I do not assist you in a medical capacity.

– My role does not include medical assessment, treatment, medication prescription or administration.

– I will not provide or administer any substances considered illicit under current Australian laws.