We recently connected with Beverly Alomepe and have shared our conversation below.

Beverly, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

Early in my journey as a psychedelic nurse, I was humbled to witness the power of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) for lasting psychological change. Ketamine is a dissociative psychedelic, and part of the emerging psychedelic healing for mental health revolution we are having today in the west. Many ketamine clinics use the IV form of ketamine, which often does not have a therapy integration component. I saw patients come in for hour long ketamine treatments, and be sent on their way without much guidance on how to integrate the intense spiritual realizations that came forth during a ketamine session. Seeing the need for additional support for my patients, I took a stand. I learned and incorporated evidence-based guidance to help facilitate meaningful introspection. I began to support patients with psychedelic integration therapy strategies that I derived from the Yale Manual for Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy.

Over time, it was clear that my new approach fostered lasting transformation, shifting clients into a more open, connected, and heartful state of being. The wisdom I gained from my extra efforts was the value of being a collaborative and spiritually affirming clinician. My experience empowered me to be a provider who helps integrate clients’ insights gleaned from a psychedelic journey into something life changing.

However ketamine, like any other medicine, is not a panacea. The biggest takeaway for me was that deep healing takes time and patience. My own private practice now provides a path for ketamine-assisted mindfulness, constructive reflection, and skill building tailored to the individual. Ketamine is just one of the many possible tools to healing, and the transformative experiences I was grateful to witness now inform the other modes of care I provide. To honor this mindset of gratitude and altruism, I decided to always maintain at least one pro bono client as my way of giving back. At Transcendmental Psychiatry, I work alongside patients with the understanding that as revelatory as our sessions can be, what matters the most for any treatment plan’s success is the day-to-day redefining our relationship with our thoughts, behaviors, and environment to make for lasting change.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a psychiatric nurse practitioner with a special interest in blending mindfulness with integrative healing. Beyond my clinical background, I’m also a professional mixed-media artist known for my life-sized “paper doll” installations. My paper dolls explore themes of ancestral identity, indigenous healing, and African shamanism. My artwork offers a glimpse into my passion for connecting artistry with ancient healing practices and spiritual empowerment.

I lead Transcendmental Psychiatry, an integrative psychiatry private practice based in Texas. People often ask me, “what is integrative psychiatry?” My answer is that integrative psychiatry combines holistic approaches like therapy, supplements, nutrition, and lifestyle interventions with the judicious use of medications. It is about stepping away from any single “quick fix” for mental health, and instead tapping into the body’s innate healing whenever possible. Some patients need medication, nutraceuticals, medication tapering, and/or ketamine-assisted psychotherapy as a multifaceted approach.

The other major thrust of treatment is to help patients develop skills that support a lifelong and individualized self-care practice. It is a collaborative effort that takes patience, but like nature, slowly but surely the seasons change and the strategies take root. What also sets my psychiatric approach apart is that it is not one-size fits all. I am able to maximize results for clients when I tailor my methods to each individual. The end result is helping adults with depression and anxiety build self-confidence, clarify their inner purpose, and find fulfillment in life and in love.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Learn how to take care of yourself so you can be resilient in the face of stress: mind, body, and spirit. This is one teaching we don’t get enough of in the healing professions or as creatives/entrepreneurs. Taking care of ourselves is just as important as taking care of our patients or completing our next piece/project. For several years as an artist and a nurse, I burned the candle at both ends. Stress took precedence over my needs, and I neglected my self-care practice. I leaned increasingly on damaging coping skills that eventually led to severe depression and self-medicating with alcohol.

While it is okay to hustle for your passion, remember that it is most important to find a healthy balance between work, play, and relationships. To this day, it’s a mantra I remind myself of each morning. That I must continue to prioritize my mind and body in holistic ways, because that ultimately strengthens my effectiveness as a healer, and enlivens the soul of my creative work.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

For a time after graduation from college, I wondered if art school was really worth it for me if I knew that I also wanted to be a nurse too. I really didn’t think it would be possible to do both things without eventually making a choice between science and the arts. My parents, mentors, and peers supported me in realizing my drive to create lively ephemeral papercuts, but I also yearned to hear people’s stories and usher in healing through compassion and unity. I am now grateful to find that with my integrative psychiatry private practice and paper doll exhibitions, that I never really had to choose in the first place.
The therapeutic work I do is always a privilege, and in no other profession can I begin with a biology lesson and end by opening the door to lifelong healing. I find that the spiritual epiphanies that help patients heal through their trauma can be experienced vicariously. And bearing witness to humanity this way while being of service is often a source of artistic muse. I get to work my creative and expressive muscles, while pursuing unending learning, and facilitating deep healing and growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.transcend-mental.com
• Other: Digital art portfolio: www.beverlyalomepe.com

Image Credits
Devin Downer