We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ana Rodriguez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
The biggest risk I have taken recently involves my own personal training and journey with the science of cutting edge research in the field Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy. However, the most entertaining part of this story involves the first exploration into my own wonderland in an isolated jungle in the heart Mexico.
My experience with the ancient and indigenous psychedelic Ayahuasca was how I came to create one of my clinical conference topics called “Purging the Shadow; the Ironic Use of Ayahuasca in the Treatment of Eating Disorders.”
It was in July of 2020, and I was participating in an apprenticeship in Eastern Healing Traditions and Indigenous & Ancient Shamanism and healing practices. I had always been fascinated in being able to translate how western science related to traditional eastern practices. I was actively mastering the art of Reiki, and reading up on indigenous Central and South American cultures and traditions. Part of this study involved understanding an ancient spiritual use of plant medicine as a source of transcendence and soul growth. I learned about how the ancient tribes would refer to mushrooms as “flesh of the gods”; and how it was a bridge to altered states of consciousness and the divine.
I knew the history of psychedelics as an ancient practice, but held prior prejudices from my western and media laden upbringing about how dangerous they were. I was a straight edge kid growing up. I didn’t do drugs, and I was terrified of losing myself by what the media and my mother told me would happen if I ever even attempted to participate with drugs. I heard growing up how using any form of psychedelics would jumble my brain, cause me to jump off a bridge, or blind myself from staring into the sun for too long. You can imagine my shock when I learned about the upcoming FDA trials for Ketamine and MDMA- assisted therapy for the treatment of PTSD. As a trauma specialist, I was instantly fascinated. I need to learn about what this cutting edge science was showing, and how it would further confirm what ancient traditions had already known for centuries.
Through this study, I stumbled upon Michael Pollen’s book called “How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence.” In his book he thoughtfully explained the evolution of psychedelic studies, the hallmarks of mystical experiences, the neuroscience of psychedelics and their use on difficult-to-treat conditions such as depression, addiction and anxiety. Pollen also tells the powerful story of his own life-changing psychedelic experiences. I connected with Pollen’s own personal story and drank in the information. Now that I understood it from both the western and eastern approaches, I became curious to embark on my own intentional plant medicine journey…. which takes me back to the jungles of Mexico.
My colleague and I had heard of a noteworthy and experienced shaman in Tulum, Mexico. He had been trained by the Peruvian Shipibo Tribe; an ancient tribe from the Amazonian rainforest credited with holding the traditions of the potent entheogenic brew called ayahuasca. He held group and individual ritual and ceremony with the plant medicine, and had journeyed thousands of people safely through their experience. For those of you who do not know what ayahuasca is, its a thick brewed sludge-like combination of three plants in one brew. The term ayahuasca is sometimes loosely used to mean any combination of an MAOI with DMT. It has a very low probability for addiction, and always leaves its voyagers with something positive they can take into their life. The psychedelic and visionary effects are intense and are known to produce a life-changing experience with innumerable benefits. However, Ayahuasca is considered a purgative so things like sweating, crying, emotional release, vomiting, and diarrhea are common.
It’s safe to say I jumped from never doing any kind of drug to signing up to take a SERIOUS 5-12 hour lasting master-class on plant medicine. And I was TERRIFIED. But I was doing it for many reasons…. one; for the science. And two; for the mystical experience. Therefore the journey required a lot of pre-requisites before the actual ceremony even began.
We first had to complete a medical screening since there are medical, psychiatric, and pharmaceutical contraindications with substances like Ayahuasca. After passing that, we had to journal and submit documents about our intentions, and hold to a strict dietary two-week “dieta” before the day of the journey. We were asked to avoid red meats/pork/shrimp, dairy, processed, sugary, fried, and ‘junk’ foods leading up the experience, and incorporate a wide range of
vegetables and greens, lean meats, nuts, grains, fruits, and seeds into our diet.
The day of the ceremony passed by slowly. The shaman told us to meet in the lobby of the hotel at 3pm, and to make sure to wear clothes that would help protect us from the elements of both the beach and the rainforest. I awaited for his arrival prepared in my long pants, high socks, and long black shawl to cover me from the jungle mosquitos. He picked us up in a taxi and walked with purpose to greet us. His energy was palpable. I could feel the intensity behind his eyes, his wisdom in how he spoke, and his little need to say more than what was required. We slowly drove to the a nearby nature reserve at the tip of the tropical Yucatán Peninsula. We passed the entrance, and began entering on a long winding road with booming palm trees and lush greenery. He escorted us out of the car, with two small mats and his mochila backpack. Our Shaman walked us to a small clearing in the middle of the trees that overlooked a small beach, laid the two mats down for us, and sat comfortably against a palm tree trunk.
“Okay. It is time.”
Our journey lasted about 5 hours. During the ceremony time passed differently. I was guided through psychedelic looking nature scenes, shown what some believe would be lessons I leaned in my past lives, and I reprocessed childhood trauma. I won’t go into intense personal detail about the imagery and topics of my journey, as the are private and important. However, I can assure you that the quality of trauma work I engaged in on that mat was unlike any therapy I know exists in the Western world. After that experience I have gone on more Ayahuasca journeys, and can confidently understand why the western world is curious about bringing this kind of healing to more people. I am a firm advocate for the responsible use of plant medicine to aid in healing through an expert guide and access to integration afterwards. I am also a firm advocate for maintaining the sacredness of this particular plant medicine, and honoring rather than appropriating this modality.
We were carefully cared for and lovingly journeyed by our Shaman. I can still hear his beautiful icaros, his traditional sacred songs and humming he chanted throughout the ceremony. The end of the ceremony was calm, serene, and grounding. In the dead of darkness he walked us to the end of the beach and we watched the collection of stars sparkle overhead and heard the waves crash below our feet.
Ayahuasca was one of the biggest personal and professional risks I have taken, and I have no regrets. I am a better person and healer as a result. I am a better scientist and philosopher as a result. I am humbled and grateful as a result. If you want more detail about the sacred ritual or other alternative legal psychedelic assisted modalities, I would encourage you to come to my lectures or attend a workshop I host regarding increasing intuition, or shadow work.
At the moment, ketamine is the only psychedelic approved by the FDA. Within recent years, a handful of boutique clinics have opened up across Texas, offering ketamine treatment to treat mental health disorders. Other psychedelics are on track for approval by the FDA. MDMA and psilocybin are labeled as breakthrough therapies. MDMA could be approved as early as 2023.
Ana, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Ana Rodriguez, and I am a clinical mental health counselor and owner of Transcendence Counseling PLLC in a quaint historic home in Uptown, Dallas. I specialize in trauma, addiction, eating disorders, and animal assisted therapy. I have two adorable therapy dogs who come to work every day and are trained and certified to detect distress in clients and offer nurturing support. I counsel through compassion, authenticity, dedication, and perspective. My goals with clients is to support them to find health and balance in all facets of their life; where they can transcend from pain into empowerment. In addition to my formal western training in psychology, I also have extensive experience and knowledge working in Eastern wellness modalities. I am a certified Master Reiki Practitioner and healer. I have undergone years of devoted training in various eastern wellness practices and believe in a holistic health model. You may see or hear me on different wellness podcasts, shows, and platforms connecting western science with eastern philosophy. I often bring this knowledge and application into sessions with clients or leave it out depending on a client’s need and readiness.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help YouFind – and Keep – Love by Amir Levine: This book is a frequently referred go-to for my clients who are stuck accidentally dating emotionally unavailable people.
Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence By Esther Perel: This book is frequently recommended to my married couples who are finding it hard to balance routine with intimacy.
The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief by Francis Weller: This book is a powerful and eloquently written book that helps better understand how to work through and accept grief as an integral part of our lives.
Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski: Every woman needs to read this book.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle: Excellent writing and inspirational.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing clientele has been having client-based referrals. I find that when I work well and have solid trust built with a client, they are eager to share of their journey with others also needing a therapist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.transcendencecounselingtx.com/
- Instagram: @transcendence.counseling
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-rodriguez-lpc-ncc-604a1241/