About
Living Medicine Institute
Experiential Training, Mentorship, and Community to Launch or Deepen a Sustainable Practice in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
The rapidly expanding field of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy offers clinical and medical professionals a powerful, fully legal approach to transformational healing. At The Living Medicine Institute (LMI), we provide everything you need to launch and accelerate your career in psychedelic- assisted psychotherapy —all in one convenient place.
Led by Dr. Sandy Newes, LMI offerings include introductory experiential retreats, online clinical skills intensives, ongoing mentoring and case consultation groups, supervision, certification, and an expertly curated community resource platform to meet you at every stage in your journey, from introductory learning to clinical certification.
Our expert faculty are highly credentialed, practicing psychedelic medicine providers. We bring scientific rigor, clinical skill, approachability, and deep personal experience to our trainings.
Led by Dr. Sandy Newes, LMI offerings include introductory experiential retreats, online clinical skills intensives, ongoing mentoring and case consultation groups, supervision, certification, and an expertly curated community resource platform to meet you at every stage in your journey, from introductory learning to clinical certification.
Our expert faculty are highly credentialed, practicing psychedelic medicine providers. We bring scientific rigor, clinical skill, approachability, and deep personal experience to our trainings.
What sets LMI Apart?
If you're ready to deepen your expertise, expand your career, and join a pioneering
community at the forefront of psychedelic-assisted therapy, we invite you to take the
next step with us.
community at the forefront of psychedelic-assisted therapy, we invite you to take the
next step with us.
Teaching Faculty
Dr. Sandy Newes
Dr. Sandy Newes
Dr. Sandy Newes is a Licensed Psychologist, educator, and experiential practitioner with more than 25 years of clinical experience specializing in trauma, anxiety, chronic stress, resilience, and recovery. She is the co-founder of the Living Medicine Institute and the Psychedelic Provider Network, organizations dedicated to advancing high-quality, ethically grounded training and mentorship for clinical professionals in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Since launching these programs in 2022, Dr. Newes has become a sought-after trainer and speaker throughout the United States.
A certified psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist, Dr. Newes has facilitated more than 500 Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) sessions since 2019. Her work is deeply trauma-informed, relational, and resilience-focused, integrating traditional psychotherapy theory and research with experiential, mindfulness-based and somatic approaches to healing. She is known for bringing warmth, authenticity, and clinical depth to her work, helping both clients and clinicians navigate non-ordinary states of consciousness with skill, safety, and compassion.
Dr. Newes’ background uniquely bridges clinical psychology, mindfulness, experiential therapy, and consciousness exploration.
In addition to her extensive psychotherapy training, she has spent
decades immersed in mindfulness practice, somatic and nature-based healing approaches, adventure and experiential therapy, contemplative traditions, movement, and other explorations
of non-ordinary states. These experiences continue to inform her perspective on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, particularly the importance of embodiment, meaning-making, connection, and integration.
She was recently honored with the Experiential Practitioner of the Year award from the Association for Experiential Education, where she has also held numerous leadership roles throughout her career. Dr. Newes regularly presents at conferences, workshops, and professional trainings on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, trauma treatment, ethics, and experiential approaches to mental health care.
Her training in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy includes certification in MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy through MAPS, along with training through the Polaris Insight Center, Chacruna
Institute, Ketamine Training Center, Integrative Psychiatry Institute, and PRATI. Dr. Newes earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Pennsylvania State University, where her research focused on applying clinical and research methodologies to experiential and
outdoor-based therapeutic programming. Her career has consistently centered on understanding how transformative experiences, relationships, and intentional therapeutic processes can foster lasting healing and growth.
Known for her approachable and grounded style, Dr. Newes brings both expertise and humanity to her work. Colleagues and clients alike experience her as thoughtful, wise, engaging, and deeply authentic — someone who values lifelong learning and believes healing work can be both profound and deeply human.
A certified psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist, Dr. Newes has facilitated more than 500 Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) sessions since 2019. Her work is deeply trauma-informed, relational, and resilience-focused, integrating traditional psychotherapy theory and research with experiential, mindfulness-based and somatic approaches to healing. She is known for bringing warmth, authenticity, and clinical depth to her work, helping both clients and clinicians navigate non-ordinary states of consciousness with skill, safety, and compassion.
Dr. Newes’ background uniquely bridges clinical psychology, mindfulness, experiential therapy, and consciousness exploration.
In addition to her extensive psychotherapy training, she has spent
decades immersed in mindfulness practice, somatic and nature-based healing approaches, adventure and experiential therapy, contemplative traditions, movement, and other explorations
of non-ordinary states. These experiences continue to inform her perspective on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, particularly the importance of embodiment, meaning-making, connection, and integration.
She was recently honored with the Experiential Practitioner of the Year award from the Association for Experiential Education, where she has also held numerous leadership roles throughout her career. Dr. Newes regularly presents at conferences, workshops, and professional trainings on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, trauma treatment, ethics, and experiential approaches to mental health care.
Her training in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy includes certification in MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy through MAPS, along with training through the Polaris Insight Center, Chacruna
Institute, Ketamine Training Center, Integrative Psychiatry Institute, and PRATI. Dr. Newes earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Pennsylvania State University, where her research focused on applying clinical and research methodologies to experiential and
outdoor-based therapeutic programming. Her career has consistently centered on understanding how transformative experiences, relationships, and intentional therapeutic processes can foster lasting healing and growth.
Known for her approachable and grounded style, Dr. Newes brings both expertise and humanity to her work. Colleagues and clients alike experience her as thoughtful, wise, engaging, and deeply authentic — someone who values lifelong learning and believes healing work can be both profound and deeply human.
Malena Vinocur, Ph.D.
Malena Vinocur, Ph.D.
Malena Vinocur, Ph.D., is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in New York City. Originally from Argentina, Dr. Vinocur brings more than 20 years of experience in clinical care, training, supervision, and mentorship to the Living Medicine Institute (LMI). She possesses deep expertise in outpatient Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), trauma-informed, multicultural care, and couples and family therapy. Her warm, relational style, unique perspectives, and extensive background in teaching make her an invaluable member of the LMI faculty.
After years in academic settings, Dr. Vinocur expanded her Manhattan-based clinical practice to focus on non-ordinary states of consciousness and psychedelic-assisted therapies. She completed her KAP training through the Ketamine Training Center (KTC), the Living Medicine Institute, and Relationship Resources. Throughout this work, Dr. Vinocur continues to be deeply humbled by the human capacity for healing, resilience, and transformation.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Vinocur has held numerous leadership roles in both hospital and university settings. She served as a full-time faculty member and Clinical Associate Professor in Pace University’s doctoral programs, where she also co-directed the doctoral training clinic as Director of Training. Prior to that, she was the Internship Director of the APA-accredited Clinical Psychology Internship Program at Maimonides Medical Center (MMC). While at MMC, she also coordinated the Latinx Program, a Spanish-speaking group therapy initiative within the Intensive Outpatient Program for individuals navigating serious mental illness. Across these settings, she became widely respected for her thoughtful mentorship, nuanced clinical supervision, and commitment to developing skilled, compassionate clinicians.
Her clinical framework integrates psychodynamic, attachment-based, and trauma-informed approaches through multicultural, feminist, and queer-informed lenses. She has long been dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrant communities, and underserved populations, which includes her ongoing work conducting trauma-informed psychological evaluations and providing expert testimony for asylum-seekers.
Dr. Vinocur earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the CUNY Graduate Center and completed her clinical internship at Bellevue Hospital, working with patients across the developmental spectrum. During her training, she specialized in immigration and trauma work through the Program for Survivors of Torture and completed four years of intensive, Ackerman-style live supervision training in couples and family therapy, incorporating attachment-based and Gottman Method approaches.
At LMI, Dr. Vinocur combines clinical excellence with a deep commitment to culturally responsive care. She is passionate about helping clinicians develop the confidence, skill, and relational depth required to practice ethical, trauma-informed Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy and psychedelic-assisted care.
After years in academic settings, Dr. Vinocur expanded her Manhattan-based clinical practice to focus on non-ordinary states of consciousness and psychedelic-assisted therapies. She completed her KAP training through the Ketamine Training Center (KTC), the Living Medicine Institute, and Relationship Resources. Throughout this work, Dr. Vinocur continues to be deeply humbled by the human capacity for healing, resilience, and transformation.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Vinocur has held numerous leadership roles in both hospital and university settings. She served as a full-time faculty member and Clinical Associate Professor in Pace University’s doctoral programs, where she also co-directed the doctoral training clinic as Director of Training. Prior to that, she was the Internship Director of the APA-accredited Clinical Psychology Internship Program at Maimonides Medical Center (MMC). While at MMC, she also coordinated the Latinx Program, a Spanish-speaking group therapy initiative within the Intensive Outpatient Program for individuals navigating serious mental illness. Across these settings, she became widely respected for her thoughtful mentorship, nuanced clinical supervision, and commitment to developing skilled, compassionate clinicians.
Her clinical framework integrates psychodynamic, attachment-based, and trauma-informed approaches through multicultural, feminist, and queer-informed lenses. She has long been dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrant communities, and underserved populations, which includes her ongoing work conducting trauma-informed psychological evaluations and providing expert testimony for asylum-seekers.
Dr. Vinocur earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the CUNY Graduate Center and completed her clinical internship at Bellevue Hospital, working with patients across the developmental spectrum. During her training, she specialized in immigration and trauma work through the Program for Survivors of Torture and completed four years of intensive, Ackerman-style live supervision training in couples and family therapy, incorporating attachment-based and Gottman Method approaches.
At LMI, Dr. Vinocur combines clinical excellence with a deep commitment to culturally responsive care. She is passionate about helping clinicians develop the confidence, skill, and relational depth required to practice ethical, trauma-informed Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy and psychedelic-assisted care.
Mission
Integrating neuroscience-based psychotherapy with traditional psychedelic healing practices through the legal, clinical use of ketamine.
Bridging ancient wisdom and modern science—honoring time-tested healing traditions while applying evidence-based approaches grounded in contemporary research.
Studies show that ketamine and other psychedelics influence the brain in consistent, measurable ways, and LMI's programs are designed around these findings.
At the same time, LMI recognizes the deep knowledge held by ancient cultures that understood these tools through lived experience.
Bridging ancient wisdom and modern science—honoring time-tested healing traditions while applying evidence-based approaches grounded in contemporary research.
Studies show that ketamine and other psychedelics influence the brain in consistent, measurable ways, and LMI's programs are designed around these findings.
At the same time, LMI recognizes the deep knowledge held by ancient cultures that understood these tools through lived experience.
What They Are Saying
Very well rounded deep approach to psycholytic medication and its use in mental health, including thorough discussion and experience of potential positives and challenges.
LEVEL ONE Participant
Professional, powerful, experiential sessions! Essential to KAP work. Love the dynamic instruction from both instructors.
Retreat Participant
This is a wonderful training for therapists interested in KAP work. The instructors are knowledgeable and professional. They work to be culturally sensitive and appreciative, balancing Western medicine with sacred Indigenious practices.
Retreat Participant