Therapist Info
About Me:Steve Elfrink: A Pioneer in Psychedelic Therapy
Background and Experience
Steve Elfrink is a prominent figure in the field of psychedelic therapy, with extensive experience and contributions that span several decades. He is the founder of OmTerra, a holistic psychedelic therapy organization, and a former co-founder of the Psychedelic Somatic Institute (PSI), where he was instrumental in launching the training programs for therapists in Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy (PSIP).
Steve also has 40 years of experience transversing the edge of consciousness and deep healing with all major psychedelics.
Professional Journey
Steve's journey in the psychedelic field expanded with his participation in the 2015 FDA Phase 1 Pharmacokinetic Study of Psilocybin at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This study provided him with invaluable insights into the effects of high-dose psilocybin and the limitations of the prevailing non-directive therapeutic models. Motivated by these experiences, Steve co-founded PSI and OmTerra to develop and promote somatic-focused psychedelic therapies.
Roles and Contributions
At OmTerra, Steve offers various therapeutic services, including:
- Cannabis-Assisted Psychedelic Somatic Therapy
- Ketamine-Assisted Psychedelic Somatic Therapy.
- Psilocybin Facilitation in Southern Oregon
- Ibogaine Facilitation (outside the US)
His approach is rooted in addressing trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges through innovative and empathetic methods. Steve's work emphasizes the integration of psychedelic experiences to help clients achieve long-term healing and personal growth.
In addition to his therapeutic practice, Steve has been a significant voice in the psychedelic community. He has co-authored peer-reviewed abstracts on psychedelic therapy and regularly contributes articles and podcasts to platforms like Webdelics, where he serves as a Subject Matter Expert. His educational efforts aim to broaden the understanding and acceptance of psychedelic medicines.
Community and Outreach
Steve's dedication extends beyond his clinical work. He has held various roles in community outreach and marketing within the psychedelic and healthcare sectors. His passion for community building and outreach also inspired him to launch the Rogue Valley Psychedelic Society in Southern in Oregon.
Current Initiatives
Currently, Steve continues to advance the field of psychedelic therapy through his role at OmTerra and Webdelics. He remains actively involved in educating the public and professionals about the benefits and safe practices of psychedelic medicines. His commitment to helping those suffering from trauma and mental health issues is evident in his ongoing work and contributions to the community.
For more information on Steve Elfrink and his work, you can visit OmTerra's website or listen to his podcasts and articles on Webdelics and other platforms.
Learn more about Steve and his story here.
Description of Services:Areas of Expertise in Psychedelic Therapy
At OmTerra I work with people who are dealing with sexual abuse history, birth trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. I utilize:
- Licensed Psilocybin Facilitator in Oregon
- Ibogaine Facilitation (outside US)
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Cannabis-Assisted Psychedelic Somatic Therapy
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Ketamine-Assisted Psychedelic Somatic Therapy
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PSIP (Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy)
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Psychedelic Medicine Integration
Credentials & Certifications: BA, PSIP Certified Practitioner, Licensed Psilocybin FacilitatorLicenses: NoneDetails
Remote Practitioner: YesPrice Range: $175 - $300My Process
Overview of Experience:A typical session lasts 2-3 hours. We work with clients at our home office in Grants, OR, at a local AirBnb for people coming to work with us or in their homes. Unlike traditional psychedelic therapy we do not use music during the sessions. Music tends to distract clients with this model. We prefer clients to sit up vs. lie down. A comfy chair or couch with good neck and head support is best. An initial session is typically a bit longer 3-4 hours. For a first session we first start with a resourcing exercise to have a place to bring you if things get tough and you want to resource out or to wrap-up a session. After resourcing we will do a non-medicine PSIP session with a non-relational traumatic event - typically a car, bike or skiing accident. This allows you to start to connect with your ANS and it starts to give us an idea of how your system is wired and your defense mechanisms and coping strategies with thing start to get intense. After the non-medicine session we will dive into a cannabis or ketamine assisted session. The trajectory of these sessions is always unknown until we start the process. We are simply following your bodies responses. We will be with you for this entire experience and gently nudging and guiding you to best activate your ANS. Once ANS is activated this can lead to a myriad of feelings and sensations - everything from "nothing", numbness, floaty, blank to extreme discomfort, nausea, distress, hopelessness to extreme panic and terror. This may sound frightening, but it is all normal and simply your bodies way of releasing trauma. With cannabis a session typically begins to wind down after 1.5 hours. The remaining 1/2 hour to sometimes an hour can be spent integrating the experience.
Psilocybin sessions are held at a licensed psilocybin service center. Typical sessions last 4-6 hours.
Intake Process:This model of psychedelic therapy is not recommended for schizophrenics, people experiencing psychosis, active substance abuse, pregnant women and people who are not able to afford the possible cost of doing multiple sessions.
Video
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYgksSV0LHRZS1t8lfi5eyw
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Reviews
3 Reviews on “Steve Elfrink”
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Therapist Info
Details
My Process
Video
Photos
Reviews
3 Reviews on “Steve Elfrink”
Leave a Review
Steve Elfrink is kind and gentle and one of the best men I have ever known. HIs character is reflected in his broad smile and soft eyes. Steve is a survivor. He has written openly about his terrible hardship, about the very challenging work he has done to heal, the risks he has taken, and ultimately his triumphs over crippling adversity. I have been inspired by his strength and courage.
I grew up in the 1960s with physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Trusting men is very difficult for me. When Steve and I met during our first skype session in March 2024, I felt immediately at ease. I was expecting to pay an hourly clinical rate, but Steve does not charge clients for online sessions- before or after the clinical work in Grants Pass. He could, but his policy is a measure of his generosity and integrity.
Steve realizes the importance of “set and setting” during psychedelic sessions with clients. The space he creates is so carefully curated: it feels safe, it feels like home. Steve has been a constant supportive guide during my numerous sessions with him. He has assured me often that he “can get [me] through anything.” Since he has been through this himself, I have complete faith in him.
The psychedelics themselves have been powerful allies – conduits to memories, feelings and experiences that have been difficult for me to get to, process and resolve through conventional modalities. I have spent years as a client and a practitioner of CBT. I am acutely aware of its limitations. Psychedelics have opened things up for me in a way that I have never experienced. My work will be ongoing, but after 69 years, I have gotten to greater peace in my life.
I have written about my experiences to make contact of sorts with people who may be struggling in their lives. I want to say there is hope. Steve is a natural helper. It is his passion, his “happy place” as he says. Many people are now facilitating psychedelic assisted clinical work. I am so fortunate – grateful – to have met and worked with Steve. I cannot overstate my respect for him. He has been an invaluable partner in my healing journey. For anyone considering working with psychedelics in a clinical setting, there is no finer guide than Steve Elfrink.
My experience with Steve was better than any therapist I had ever encountered in my very long search for healing. He is so kind, trust-worthy and generous, paying such close attention to every nuance of my experience. Steve is right there with you at every moment, and you feel very supported. I would recommend Steve to everyone who is looking for an experienced, gentle soul to guide them. He is the best!
A good friend of mine sent me a link to Steve Elfrink’s podcast discussion on the PSIP model (Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy) and I listened with increasing interest on what was being discussed. In the dialogue Steve and the moderator mentioned a PSIP white paper that explained in greater detail the science behind the model. As what was discussed in the podcast really resonated with me, I looked up the paper and read it in earnestness.
Similar to Steve’s story, I too was on a lifelong search as to why I was feeling chronically depressed, suffering from addictions, and disconnected from life. The podcast and paper prompted me to reach out to Steve for insight and hopes for healing. After our phone conversations, Steve and I felt that I might benefit from the PSIP work, so I decided to travel to Oregon to experience PSIP sessions.
That decision was without a doubt one of the most important decisions of my life. I tend to be somewhat skeptical in general, and even after doing all the research that I had, I entered the process with a heightened sense of caution as I didn’t want to have my hopes dashed by another new “healing modality”. That skepticism has been replaced with a belief in the PSIP model and its effectiveness in accessing deeply held trauma in a way that will have transformative effects on the field of mental health.
While I now have a deep conviction in the model, I know I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish what I have if it weren’t for Steve’s effective guidance and mastery of the process. His authenticity, calm demeanor, patience, reassuring manner, and his care and concern for my well-being was something I hadn’t experienced before. I also deeply respect Steve’s journey to get to where he is today. He has an incredible depth of knowledge (much of it garnered through his own experience) and is a leading expert in this field. Steve has truly “walked the walk” and now wants to share the healing that he has experienced with others who are searching. I could not recommend Steve more highly.
If someone would have told me what I was going to experience during the sessions, I never would have believed them, but after having gone through it and witnessing it firsthand, I am truly amazed. The work is not easy, but it is transformative. While I know this is a journey, I can honestly say for the first time in my life I have a new sense of hope and a feeling of well-being. This is real, and I am reconnecting to life in a way that I’ve never experienced before.
If you would like to discuss this in greater detail, feel free to reach out to me. I’ve let Steve know to share my contact information and would be happy to chat further.
Wishing you all the best on your journey…Henry