Marcela Ot’alora is a Psychotherapist, Artist, and Researcher at Memoru, a nonprofit organization focused on psychedelic education, clinical care, training, and research. For over 25 years, she has treated trauma and PTSD using MDMA-assisted therapy. Previously, Marcela was a Principal Investigator and Trainer at MAPS, where she conducted Phase II and III clinical trials for the use of MDMA in treating PTSD.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [4:06] How Marcela Ot’alora’s personal MDMA experience transformed her relationship with trauma
- [11:02] Marcela shares how meeting Rick Doblin led her into MDMA research and clinical trials
- [14:39] Marcela’s response to the FDA’s rejection of MDMA-assisted therapy
- [18:45] The rigor and extensive supervision behind MDMA clinical trials
- [23:42] Key differences between MDMA and psilocybin therapeutic experiences
- [33:23] The importance of practitioner self-awareness and integration
- [38:53] What is attunement, and how does integrated history support presence?
- [46:52] The connection between inner healing intelligence and spirituality
- [50:18] Memoru’s mission for psychedelic care and training
In this episode…
Healing from trauma isn’t about erasing the past — it’s about changing your relationship with it. How can therapists be present in their clients’ journeys without losing themselves in the process? What anchors practitioners and participants in wisdom and safety?
According to MDMA clinical trial investigator Marcela Ot’alora, healing begins with discovering the part of ourselves that is not traumatized. Rather than trying to eliminate pain, she encourages learning to live alongside it differently. For practitioners, Marcela emphasizes deep self-awareness, integrating one’s own history, and cultivating attunement through embodied presence rather than intellectual analysis. When therapists do their own integration work, they can meet clients with steadiness and authenticity.
In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes talks with Marcela Ot’alora, Psychotherapist, Artist, and Researcher at Memoru, about healing, attunement, and psychedelic therapy. They explore how MDMA transformed her relationship with trauma, the differences between MDMA and psilocybin experiences, and why integrated presence is essential for ethical, effective practice.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Quotable Moments:
- “It was the first time I encountered a part of myself that was actually not traumatized.”
- “It wasn’t about getting rid of the trauma.”
- “I always think like you can’t attune if you’re self-conscious.”
- “Presence is integrated history.”
- “I think participants deserve the best of us.”
Action Steps:
- Do your own integration work as a practitioner: Healing work requires self-awareness, especially around your triggers, fears, and unintegrated history. When therapists understand their internal landscape, they can attune without projecting or misattuning.
- Practice embodied presence before intellectual interpretation: Attunement is not about analyzing a client’s story but being fully present with their experience. Cultivating openness and grounded awareness allows a deeper therapeutic connection.
- Avoid comparing psychedelic medicines in clinical practice: Each medicine carries distinct qualities and relational dynamics. Treating them as unique relationships improves ethical discernment and clinical effectiveness.
- Develop clear energetic boundaries while staying porous: Being open to a client’s experience does not mean merging or emotionally spilling over. Maintaining grounded differentiation protects both practitioner and participant.
- Listen when the body “leans in”: The body often signals truth before the mind can articulate it. Responding to embodied wisdom supports safety, alignment, and authentic healing.
Sponsor for this episode…
This episode is brought to you by the Living Medicine Institute.
LMI is a training, resource, and membership program educating providers about the legal and safe use of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
To learn more or participate, visit http://livingmedicineinstitute.rise25media.com.
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