Chapter Events · Mind Medicine Australia
Mind Medicine Australia logo Menu

MMA FREE Webinar for Chapter Members – TGA Rescheduling Q&A with Peter Hunt

Mind Medicine Australia and our Sydney chapter are excited to be inviting all chapter members to a live Q&A webinar with our chairman Peter Hunt.

LIVE WEBINAR: TGA Rescheduling Q&A with Peter Hunt

In this informal webinar, Peter will be presenting the recently submitted rescheduling applications for MDMA- and psilocybin-assisted therapies to all chapter members who would like to join.

He’ll be explaining how these submissions have built on last year’s to address the TGA’s concerns, the reasoning behind it and how each and every chapter member can help to give these applications the best chance of being successful.

After this presentation we’ll open the floor to questions and discussion.

Topic: TGA Rescheduling Q&A w Peter Hunt
Date: Thursday 14th April 2022
Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm (incl Q&A) (AEST)
Location: Online.

Thank you to the Sydney Chapter for helping to organise and facilitate this event.

To attend you can join your local chapter. For existing chapter members, log into the chapter members’ portal and check the events calendar for the registration link.

Peter Hunt AM

B.Com, LL.B

As an investment banker Peter Hunt AM advised local and multi-national companies and governments in Australia for nearly 35 years.  He co-founded one of Australia’s leading investment banking advisory firms, Caliburn Partnership and was Executive Chairman of Greenhill Australia. Peter was a member of the Advisory Panel of ASIC and chaired the Vincent Fairfax Family Office.

Peter is an active philanthropist involved in funding, developing and scaling social sector organisations which seek to create a better and fairer world.  He is Chairman of Mind Medicine Australia which he established with his wife, Tania de Jong, in 2018. He regularly presents to Governments, regulators, clinicians, philanthropists and the general public on psychedelic-assisted therapies and the legal and ethical frameworks needed to ensure these treatments can be made accessible and affordable.

He founded Women’s Community Shelters in 2011. Peter is a Director of The Umbrella Foundation. Peter also acts as a pro bono adviser to Creativity Australia.  He was formerly Chairman of So They Can, Grameen Australia and Grameen Australia Philippines.

Peter was made a member of the General Division of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2010 for services to the philanthropic sector.

MMA Book Club: Sacred Knowledge by Dr William Richards (chapter 7 PART I and II)

Join the Mind Medicine Australia Book Club where we will explore
literature by some of the most influential authors on psychedelics. With the aim to raise awareness of the use of psychedelic therapies for mental illness this Book Club is dedicated to supporting education and knowledge in a respectful community. This forum will be of benefit to anyone who wants to learn more about this topic including academics, health professionals, consumers and the general public.

Topic: Book club: Sacred Knowledge by Dr William Richards
Date: Wednesday 8th June 2022
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30pm (AEST)
Location: Zoom Webinar

We will cover this book over the course of two meetings on  June 8 and July 13.

June: Up to and including chapter 7 PART I and II
July: PART III, IV and V

Look forward to seeing you there!

Sunshine Coast Chapter Presents A New Paradigm for Mental Health: Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies with Tania de Jong AM & Peter Hunt AM

As you may know, Psychedelic-Assisted therapy is showing incredible promise to help people suffering from a range of mental health conditions including PTSD, depression, anxiety and addiction.

We are delighted to invite you to a live in-person event on July 21 in Noosa Heads where you can learn about this exciting new frontier for mental health.

The evening will feature a live presentation and Q&A with the Founders of Mind Medicine Australia: Tania De Jong AM & Peter Hunt AM.

They will be discussing this exciting new field, which is promising to allow Australians who are suffering from mental illness the opportunity to get well and return to living full lives. They will also be updating those present on recent developments in Australia including the potential rescheduling of Psilocybin and MDMA, the training of therapists and more.

Catering services will be provided on the night.

Date: Thursday 21st July 2022
Time: 6:00pm (Platters and drinks) for 6:30pm start – 8:30pm (includes Q&A Panel)
Location: Will be provided upon ticket purchase

Limited tickets available

Tania de Jong AM

LL.B (Hons), GradDipMus

Tania de Jong AM is the co-Founder and Executive Director of Mind Medicine Australia. She regularly presents on psychedelic-assisted therapies, mental health and wellbeing at major conferences and events around the world and to Governments, regulators, clinicians, philanthropists and the general public.

Tania is one of Australia’s most successful female entrepreneurs and innovators developing 6 businesses and 4 charities including Creative Universe, Creativity Australia and With One Voice, Umbrella Foundation, Creative Innovation Global, Pot-Pourri and The Song Room.

Tania was named in the 100 Women of Influence, the 100 Australian Most Influential Entrepreneurs and named as one of the 100 most influential people in psychedelics globally in 2021. Tania’s TED Talk has sparked international interest. Tania has garnered an international reputation as a performer, speaker, entrepreneur and a passionate leader for social change. Her mission is to change the world, one voice at a time!

Peter Hunt AM

B.Com, LL.B

As an investment banker Peter Hunt AM advised local and multi-national companies and governments in Australia for nearly 35 years.  He co-founded one of Australia’s leading investment banking advisory firms, Caliburn Partnership and was Executive Chairman of Greenhill Australia. Peter was a member of the Advisory Panel of ASIC and chaired the Vincent Fairfax Family Office.

Peter is an active philanthropist involved in funding, developing and scaling social sector organisations which seek to create a better and fairer world.  He is Chairman of Mind Medicine Australia which he established with his wife, Tania de Jong, in 2018. He regularly presents to Governments, regulators, clinicians, philanthropists and the general public on psychedelic-assisted therapies and the legal and ethical frameworks needed to ensure these treatments can be made accessible and affordable.

He founded Women’s Community Shelters in 2011. Peter is a Director of The Umbrella Foundation. Peter also acts as a pro bono adviser to Creativity Australia.  He was formerly Chairman of So They Can, Grameen Australia and Grameen Australia Philippines.

Peter was made a member of the General Division of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2010 for services to the philanthropic sector.

Sydney Screening – The Way of the Psychonaut: Stanislav Grof’s Journey of Consciousness (Incl. Q&A)

Don’t miss out – the Sydney chapter’s Screening of The Way of the Psychonaut.

Our previous film screenings have sold out within a few days of being announced. Get your ticket early if you missed out!

In the kind of world we have today, transformation of humanity will be our only real hope for survival.” – Dr Stanislav Grof

Mind Medicine Australia is thrilled to invite you to join us for an exclusive screening of The Way of the Psychonaut: Stanislav Grof’s Journey of Consciousness.

This inspirational documentary is being shown in Australia to a global audience after four years in the making, and we are excited to share it with you! The Way of the Psychonaut showcases Stan Grof’s groundbreaking work in human consciousness with psychedelics, Holotropic Breathwork and Transpersonal Psychology.

Stan’s quest for knowledge and insights into the healing power of non-ordinary states of consciousness influenced the disciplines of psychiatry and psychology and profoundly changed many individual lives. One of those transformed by Stan is filmmaker Susan Hess Logeais. The documentary utilises Susan’s personal existential crisis as a gateway to examine Grof’s impact, from the micro to the macro.

Psychedelics, used responsibly and with proper caution, would be for psychiatry what the microscope is for biology and medicine or the telescope is for astronomy.” – Dr Stanislav Grof

Date: Thursday 28th July 2022
Time: 6:30 PM sharp – 9:30 PM (includes Q&A Panel with Nigel Denning, Dr Traill Dowie, Dr Tanveer Ahmed, Patrycja Slawuta, Adrian Sutter)
Location: Palace Chauvel Cinema
Ticket Price: $35 General / $25 Concession / $50 General Admission + Donation (includes $15 donation) / $100 General Admission + Donation (includes $65 donation)

(All funds donated will go towards our mission to make these medicines available and accessible.)

Following the screening, there will be a Q & A panel with the Mind Medicine Institute’s Heads of Faculty Nigel Denning and Dr Traill Dowie, and Greens Parliamentarian Cate Faehrmann MLC. This will be an incredible opportunity to engage and discuss different perspectives of this new and emerging paradigm. 

You can watch the trailer here.

Dr Tra-ill Dowie

PhD

Dr Traill Dowie is a polymath philosopher, academic, psychotherapist, minister of religion and martial artist. He holds dual PhDs in Philosophy and Psychiatry. Traill is a co-founder of the Mind Medicine Institute, the head of school at Ikon Institute, a research fellow at La Trobe University in Philosophy, sub-editor of the Philosophy International Journal (Medwin Press) and has also trained with the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and completed their clinician qualification.

Traill is a lifelong martial artist, holding black belts in multiple disciplines. He has worked professionally as both an athletic and performance coach for high level athletes, including world champions, at a national and international level.

Growing up in the Northern Territory, Traill spent a lot of time on country where he developed an interest in ethnomedicine and traditional healing practices. This interest led Traill to Dr Raphael Locke, an anthropologist, psychoanalyst, consciousness researcher and initiated Iroquois shaman. Traill apprenticed with Dr Locke in shamanic practice for 20 years and has explored ethno-medicine and traditional practices across Australia, Asia, Central America and North America. This interest in healing and state-based technologies has been coupled with his interest in psychotherapy and psychology.

Traill has 25 years of experience working as a clinician in a variety of settings including in private practice and organisations. He began his career working in eco-psychotherapy and wilderness therapy working with complex presentations. Traill has worked in both in-patient and outpatient settings focusing on the treatment of complex trauma. Traill was the co-founder of Integrative Psychology where he co-authored a paper with his colleagues Nigel Denning and Linda Tilgner, which was tabled at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. He worked with Nigel Denning to develop a protocol for individual and group psychotherapy for victims of cult abuse. Traill also chaired the Australian Counselling Association’s Trauma Standards Panel.

Nigel Denning

MA, MPsych

Nigel Denning is a Counselling Psychologist with 30 years of experience in the mental health sector.  He is the Managing Director and co-founder of Integrative Psychology and the Mind Medicine Institute.

Nigel’s expertise covers developmental trauma, institutional abuse, family violence, attachment disorder, relationship therapy and advanced concentration meditation.  He works with individuals, couples, families, groups and organisations.  Nigel has been involved in therapy and court reporting on several hundred cases from the Royal Commission into Childhood Institutional Sexual Abuse.  Nigel is a former Family Violence Coordinator for Relationships Australia. He has conducted research at the University of Melbourne, Faculty of Medicine, under the supervision of Professor Kelsey Hegarty on male perpetrator typologies. For over 10 years Nigel facilitated group psychotherapy for male perpetrators of family violence.  Nigel is an expert in trauma.

Nigel has extensive experience with psychedelic work internationally.  He began working with altered states of consciousness 35 years ago when he was introduced to Holotropic Breathwork through the guidance of Alf and Muriel Foote.  Twenty-five years ago, Nigel began to work with Dr Stanislav Grof, one of the leading pioneers in the clinical application of psychedelics.  Nigel co-founded the world’s first Spiritual Emergency Centre based on Grof’s work, in partnership with Tav Sparks, Director of Grof Transpersonal Training in North Carolina.  He was also lucky to meet Dr Albert Hoffman at a workshop organised by Grof at HR Geiger’s Museum/Gallery in Gruyere Switzerland. Nigel has also trained with the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and successfully completed their clinician qualification. Nigel is passionate about educating clinicians into the potential of non-ordinary state work when done ethically and skillfully.

Dr Patrycja Slawuta (USA)

MA, PhD(c)MA

Patrycja Slawuta is an Australia-based, NYC-educated and Poland-born behavioural scientist, successful entrepreneur, and life-long learner.

After spending 10+ years in academia, Patrycja founded SelfHackathon, a NYC-based global boutique behavioural consultancy of scientists that applies evidence-based research to help organizations and enterprises navigate the complexities of human nature in the face of disruption, change and uncertainty.

After being chosen specifically by the Australian Government to migrate to Australia in March 2020 as a part of its Global Talent Program, Patrycja founded Unlab, a WA-based company whose mission is to take behavioural science out of the laboratory and into life through in-depth research initiatives, immersive learning programs and evidence-based consultations.

Patrycja believes the human mind is the world’s most untapped natural resource. As such, her mission is to give people and organizations clear frameworks and practical tools to meaningfully and efficiently mine their own minds in order to find purpose, clarity and alignment. In her free time she runs marathons (28 so far), reads (audiobooks) and meditates. In that particular order.

Dr Tanveer Ahmed

FRANZCP , MBBS

Dr Tanveer Ahmed is a psychiatrist, author and columnist. He works in the public, private and forensic sectors. He is an Adjunct lecturer at UNSW. He writes a regular column for the Australian Financial Review. His last book Fragile Nation examines the rise of mental health disorders through patient stories. He has served on local government, the government advisory body called the Australian Multicultural Council, the Advertising Standards Board and as a Governor of the Smith Family. He was previously chosen by a PMs committee as one of a hundred future leaders of Australia.

Adrian Sutter

Founder/CEO Swiss 8

I joined the Army in 2006 as an Infantry Soldier. Deploying straight from initial employment training to East Timor in a peacekeeping role. Learning on the run, I was involved in regular presence patrolling, local conflict resolution, and screening of local gangs.

In 2009, I deployed to Afghanistan with mentoring and reconstruction task force 2.

I deployed with my home unit, The First Battalion Royal Australia Regiment (1RAR). My core role in Afghanistan was with a mortar detachment conducting vehicle-mounted patrols, deep into the Chora Valley.

This deployment exposed me to the realities of third-world living conditions, war, and loss of life.

I transitioned out of the military in 2012 after my sister lost her short battle with cancer.

I did not complete any transition training. I did not have a plan for the future.

Through lived experience and lessons learned (the hard way), myself, and a team of combat veterans created Swiss 8.

Byron Bay Screening – The Way of the Psychonaut: Stanislav Grof’s Journey of Consciousness (Incl. Q&A)

Don’t miss out – the Byron Bay chapter’s Screening of The Way of the Psychonaut.

Our previous film screenings have sold out within a few days of being announced. Get your ticket early if you missed out!

In the kind of world we have today, transformation of humanity will be our only real hope for survival.” – Dr Stanislav Grof

Mind Medicine Australia is thrilled to invite you to join us for an exclusive screening of The Way of the Psychonaut: Stanislav Grof’s Journey of Consciousness.

This inspirational documentary is being shown in Australia to a global audience after four years in the making, and we are excited to share it with you! The Way of the Psychonaut showcases Stan Grof’s groundbreaking work in human consciousness with psychedelics, Holotropic Breathwork and Transpersonal Psychology.

Stan’s quest for knowledge and insights into the healing power of non-ordinary states of consciousness influenced the disciplines of psychiatry and psychology and profoundly changed many individual lives. One of those transformed by Stan is filmmaker Susan Hess Logeais. The documentary utilises Susan’s personal existential crisis as a gateway to examine Grof’s impact, from the micro to the macro.

Psychedelics, used responsibly and with proper caution, would be for psychiatry what the microscope is for biology and medicine or the telescope is for astronomy.” – Dr Stanislav Grof

Date: Thursday 25th August 2022
Time: 6:30 PM sharp – 9:30 PM (includes Q&A Panel)
Location: Byron Theatre
Ticket Price: $35 General / $25 Concession / $50 General Admission + Donation (includes $15 donation) / $100 General Admission + Donation (includes $65 donation)

(All funds donated will go towards our mission to make these medicines available and accessible.)

Following the screening, there will be a Q & A panel with Founders Tania de Jong AM and Peter Hunt AM,  psychotherapist Patrick Burnett, member of MMA’s lived experience panel Kerry Soorley and Australian Rugby Union player, Van Humphries. This will be an incredible opportunity to engage and discuss different perspectives of this new and emerging paradigm.

 

You can watch the trailer here.

Tania de Jong AM

LL.B (Hons), GradDipMus

Tania de Jong AM is the co-Founder and Executive Director of Mind Medicine Australia. She regularly presents on psychedelic-assisted therapies, mental health and wellbeing at major conferences and events around the world and to Governments, regulators, clinicians, philanthropists and the general public.

Tania is one of Australia’s most successful female entrepreneurs and innovators developing 6 businesses and 4 charities including Creative Universe, Creativity Australia and With One Voice, Umbrella Foundation, Creative Innovation Global, Pot-Pourri and The Song Room.

Tania was named in the 100 Women of Influence, the 100 Australian Most Influential Entrepreneurs and named as one of the 100 most influential people in psychedelics globally in 2021. Tania’s TED Talk has sparked international interest. Tania has garnered an international reputation as a performer, speaker, entrepreneur and a passionate leader for social change. Her mission is to change the world, one voice at a time!

Peter Hunt AM

B.Com, LL.B

As an investment banker Peter Hunt AM advised local and multi-national companies and governments in Australia for nearly 35 years.  He co-founded one of Australia’s leading investment banking advisory firms, Caliburn Partnership and was Executive Chairman of Greenhill Australia. Peter was a member of the Advisory Panel of ASIC and chaired the Vincent Fairfax Family Office.

Peter is an active philanthropist involved in funding, developing and scaling social sector organisations which seek to create a better and fairer world.  He is Chairman of Mind Medicine Australia which he established with his wife, Tania de Jong, in 2018. He regularly presents to Governments, regulators, clinicians, philanthropists and the general public on psychedelic-assisted therapies and the legal and ethical frameworks needed to ensure these treatments can be made accessible and affordable.

He founded Women’s Community Shelters in 2011. Peter is a Director of The Umbrella Foundation. Peter also acts as a pro bono adviser to Creativity Australia.  He was formerly Chairman of So They Can, Grameen Australia and Grameen Australia Philippines.

Peter was made a member of the General Division of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2010 for services to the philanthropic sector.

Patrick Burnett

Patrick has been working as a Jungian Psychoanalyst for 25 years doing long-term psychotherapy. He works from his office in Bangalow NSW and also through Zoom. Patrick is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Jungian Analysts (ANZSJA), the International Association of Analytical Psychology (IAAP) and is the secretary of the Australasian Confederation of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapies (ACPP).

Kerry Soorley

Nurse

Kerry Soorley is a nurse of 44 years, mother of four and grandmother to nine, specialising in palliative care. She had suffered depression, addictions and suicidal ideation all her life. “Trauma by omission” Gabor Mate calls it. Forced adoption of first child and death of her father during pregnancy at 16 just escalated her mental health issues further including suicide attempt and hospitalisation. Every antidepressant, therapy, book, course and seminar all failed and just left her feeling hopeless and wanting to die even though she was so blessed. At age 58 she had opportunity to try DMT. It reset my brain and gave me, joy, self-love and connection for the first time in my life. It’s not called the God molecule for nothing. She is committed and passionate to helping others get benefits of psychedelic therapy in a safe environment and sees great potential for palliative care as well.

Van Humphries

Van is first and foremost a heart-led man who lives through an intention of self-responsibility.

He was gifted the opportunity to live a childhood dream as a professional Rugby Union player in Australia and abroad over 13 years, and as a professional coach over 7 years nationally.
Van worked in a theatre support role for Orthopaedics and devices for three years on retirement and fell passionately into Permaculture organic farming and its synergistic relationship with nature and cycles.

Navigating childhood experience around poverty, scarcity, lack and abuse, and as an adult through physical injuries, the loss of a child, sister and brother, he has felt divinely guided through his polarising experiences towards a place of radical love and acceptance.

Van’s life has been deeply shaped with what was an initial curiosity with health and well-being related to performance that drew him to natural modalities that include breathwork, ayahuasca, psilocybin, CBD, THC and cacao. He credits these treatments with changing the course of his life.

Today, Van is blessed as the custodian of 2 beautiful children and an opportunity to share all these modalities through service in Rugby Union, breathwork facilitation, ceremonial guide, stress and performance mentor and regenerative agriculture farmer.

Melbourne Screening – Trip of Compassion: A window into psychedelic-assisted therapies (incl Q&A)

B’nai B’rith, Maccabi LIFE, and Mind Medicine Australia are proud to invite you to:

Trip of Compassion – A window into psychedelic-assisted therapies (incl. panel discussion and Q&A)

A collaborative social community event that will entertain, inform and educate.

 

Be sure to grab your tickets early!

B’nai B’rith, Maccabi LIFE, and Mind Medicine Australia are thrilled to welcome you to an exclusive screening of Trip of Compassion, an acclaimed Israeli documentary on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Trip of Compassion follows a number of patients participating in clinical trials in Israel and is the first feature documentary to show footage from within psychedelic-assisted therapy sessions.

“I felt like I went through 15 years of psychological therapy in one night.”
–  Patient featured in Trip of Compassion

Date: Sunday 28th August 2022
Time: Arrive by 5:00pm for a 5:15pm start – 8:00pm (includes Q&A Panel)
Location: Classic Cinemas, 9 Gordon Street, Elsternwick
Ticket Price: $35 General Admission / $30 Concession

(All funds donated will go towards our mission to make these medicines available and accessible.)

Light refreshments included.

The Classic Food and Drink Bar will also be open for more substantial purchases.

“I felt like I went through 15 years of psychological therapy in one night.”
–  Patient featured in Trip of Compassion

You can watch the trailer here.

“Trip of Compassion is the most compelling movie I’ve seen in the last  year!”
– Tim Ferriss, acclaimed author and podcaster

Director: Gil Karni,
Producers: Zafrir Kochanovsky & Miri Ezra – ttv Productions
Distributors: GO2FILMS

Following the screening, there will be a Q & A panel with Tania de Jong AM, Peter Hunt AM, Dr Eli  Kotler, and Marjane Beaugeois. This will be an opportunity to engage in a discussion about psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies for mental illness broadly, and what Mind Medicine Australia and other local organisations are doing here in Australia.

Support psychedelic research and therapy development

By donating to Mind Medicine Australia, you will be helping us to accelerate the availability and best practice of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in Australia. We are a small organisation doing big things – we need your support.
Please click here to make a tax-deductible donation.

Tania de Jong AM

LL.B (Hons), GradDipMus

Tania de Jong AM is the co-Founder and Executive Director of Mind Medicine Australia. She regularly presents on psychedelic-assisted therapies, mental health and wellbeing at major conferences and events around the world and to Governments, regulators, clinicians, philanthropists and the general public.

Tania is one of Australia’s most successful female entrepreneurs and innovators developing 6 businesses and 4 charities including Creative Universe, Creativity Australia and With One Voice, Umbrella Foundation, Creative Innovation Global, Pot-Pourri and The Song Room.

Tania was named in the 100 Women of Influence, the 100 Australian Most Influential Entrepreneurs and named as one of the 100 most influential people in psychedelics globally in 2021. Tania’s TED Talk has sparked international interest. Tania has garnered an international reputation as a performer, speaker, entrepreneur and a passionate leader for social change. Her mission is to change the world, one voice at a time!

Peter Hunt AM

B.Com, LL.B

As an investment banker Peter Hunt AM advised local and multi-national companies and governments in Australia for nearly 35 years.  He co-founded one of Australia’s leading investment banking advisory firms, Caliburn Partnership and was Executive Chairman of Greenhill Australia. Peter was a member of the Advisory Panel of ASIC and chaired the Vincent Fairfax Family Office.

Peter is an active philanthropist involved in funding, developing and scaling social sector organisations which seek to create a better and fairer world.  He is Chairman of Mind Medicine Australia which he established with his wife, Tania de Jong, in 2018. He regularly presents to Governments, regulators, clinicians, philanthropists and the general public on psychedelic-assisted therapies and the legal and ethical frameworks needed to ensure these treatments can be made accessible and affordable.

He founded Women’s Community Shelters in 2011. Peter is a Director of The Umbrella Foundation. Peter also acts as a pro bono adviser to Creativity Australia.  He was formerly Chairman of So They Can, Grameen Australia and Grameen Australia Philippines.

Peter was made a member of the General Division of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2010 for services to the philanthropic sector.

Dr Eli Kotler

MBBS MPM FRANZCP Cert. Old Age Psych. AFRACMA

Eli is a consultant psychiatrist and psychodynamic psychotherapist. He is the Medical Director of Malvern Private Hospital, an addiction and trauma hospital in Melbourne. Eli completed the inaugural CPAT course, and has since been on its faculty. He was appointed as the course’s Australian Course Director in 2023.

As a psychiatric trainee, Eli was awarded the Royal College of Psychiatrists Trainee Prize for his Scholarly Project on Depression, as well as a Research Committee Trainee award for his work on Philosophy of Mind. As an adjunct lecturer at Monash University, he oversees medical students on their addiction medicine rotation. He has been invited as a key-note speaker to several conferences and meetings to discuss addictions, trauma and psychedelics. Eli sits on the Committee of the ANZMHA to help organise their yearly addiction conference. He also sits on the inaugural Clinical Advisory Group for the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation. Eli is an Associate Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, and is a member of the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs. He also has extensive research experience with novel therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.

Due to his interest in trauma, Eli has been appointed an Independent Medical Examiner by WorkSafe Victoria. He has been appointed by the Minister for Workplace Safety to sit on the Victorian Medical Panels, and is an expert witness in historical abuse cases.

Clinically, Eli works in a psychodynamic framework, and attempts to help his patients find freedom from their addictions and trauma through relational experiences, and experiential self-awareness. He is part of the AFL Player’s Association referral network for addiction issues, and his interests in depth-psychology and neuroscience led him to found the Melbourne Neuropsychoanalytic Group.

Marjane Beaugeois

Marjane is a trauma-informed addictions and mental health counsellor with over 7 year’s experience in spiritual healing practices and ancestral plant medicines.

Marjane grew up in France, completing a degree in Biology there, and then her Masters in Australia. Marjane undertook training as a trauma informed counsellor and has a strong understanding of the power of plants and medicinal fungi. She strongly believes in the power of psychedelic-assisted therapy for to help save lives.

Marjane has her own unique lived experiences of trauma, PTSD and anxiety and is now an active member of Mind Medicine Australia’s Melbourne Chapter, strongly advocating for urgent reform in Australia to enable these important plant medicines to be used in a clinical setting to help those who are suffering with a range of mental illnesses.

TGA Rescheduling Interim Decision Webinar and Q&A with Prof David Nutt, Peter Hunt AM, Tania de Jong AM and Scott Edwards

                       Together we can do this – We need your help by the 24th of November.

Mind Medicine Australia is excited to be inviting the public to a live Q&A webinar with Professor David Nutt, our chairman Peter Hunt AM, Director Tania de Jong AM and our community manager Scott Edwards.

LIVE WEBINAR: TGA Rescheduling interim decision Q&A with Professor David Nutt, Peter Hunt AM, Director Tania de Jong AM and Scott Edwards

In this webinar, the panel will present the recent interim decision from the TGA on Mind Medicine Australia’s rescheduling applications for MDMA- and psilocybin-assisted therapies.

Peter will be explaining the reasoning behind the interim decision and how we plan to address these concerns in the next applications. The panel will discuss how every member of the community can help to give these applications the best chance of being successful.

After this presentation, we will open the floor to questions and discussion.

Topic: TGA Rescheduling Q&A w Professor David Nutt, Peter Hunt AM, Director Tania de Jong AM and Scott Edwards
Date: Thursday, 17th November 2022
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm (incl Q&A) (AEST)
Location: Online. A link will be emailed to you with the viewing details.

Prof David Nutt (UK)

BA, MB BChir, MRCP, MA, DM, MRC Psych, FRCPsych, FMedSci, FRCP, FSB

Renowned researcher, policy advisor and author, Professor David Nutt, is currently Head of Neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London and the Chair of Drug Science.

Under the leadership of Professor Nutt, the Psychedelic Research Group at Imperial College is one of the world’s foremost psychedelic research laboratories, publishing landmark research on psychedelic therapies and neuroimaging studies of the psychedelic state.

Professor Nutt has also held many leadership positions in both UK and European academic, scientific and clinical organisations, including presidencies of: the European Brain Council, the British Neuroscience Association, the British Association of Psychopharmacology, the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology.

He was previously Chair of the UK Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.

Peter Hunt AM

B.Com, LL.B

As an investment banker Peter Hunt AM advised local and multi-national companies and governments in Australia for nearly 35 years.  He co-founded one of Australia’s leading investment banking advisory firms, Caliburn Partnership and was Executive Chairman of Greenhill Australia. Peter was a member of the Advisory Panel of ASIC and chaired the Vincent Fairfax Family Office.

Peter is an active philanthropist involved in funding, developing and scaling social sector organisations which seek to create a better and fairer world.  He is Chairman of Mind Medicine Australia which he established with his wife, Tania de Jong, in 2018. He regularly presents to Governments, regulators, clinicians, philanthropists and the general public on psychedelic-assisted therapies and the legal and ethical frameworks needed to ensure these treatments can be made accessible and affordable.

He founded Women’s Community Shelters in 2011. Peter is a Director of The Umbrella Foundation. Peter also acts as a pro bono adviser to Creativity Australia.  He was formerly Chairman of So They Can, Grameen Australia and Grameen Australia Philippines.

Peter was made a member of the General Division of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2010 for services to the philanthropic sector.

Tania de Jong AM

LL.B (Hons), GradDipMus

Tania de Jong AM is the co-Founder and Executive Director of Mind Medicine Australia. She regularly presents on psychedelic-assisted therapies, mental health and wellbeing at major conferences and events around the world and to Governments, regulators, clinicians, philanthropists and the general public.

Tania is one of Australia’s most successful female entrepreneurs and innovators developing 6 businesses and 4 charities including Creative Universe, Creativity Australia and With One Voice, Umbrella Foundation, Creative Innovation Global, Pot-Pourri and The Song Room.

Tania was named in the 100 Women of Influence, the 100 Australian Most Influential Entrepreneurs and named as one of the 100 most influential people in psychedelics globally in 2021. Tania’s TED Talk has sparked international interest. Tania has garnered an international reputation as a performer, speaker, entrepreneur and a passionate leader for social change. Her mission is to change the world, one voice at a time!

Scott Edwards

B.Mus

Scott has had a diverse career, working across a variety of fields. After originally training and working as a professional musician, he founded and bootstrapped a successful online music education company called Ear Training HQ at age 23. Ear Training HQ taught an innovative approach to skill development that he developed. He successfully taught this to thousands of students over 10 years. He has committed much of the last 10 years to introspective practice, with a central focus on Buddhist teachings. During this time he has trained and worked as a bodyworker, somatic therapist and meditation teacher.

Through his introspective practice and his somatic work, he has developed a deep interest in psychedelic and other altered state based therapies and the connection between these therapeutic approaches and the introspective process. Through the emergence of psychedelic-assisted therapy, he sees an opportunity for a deeper understanding of introspective practice emerge in our culture, with the potential to support greater happiness and wellbeing for all.

MMA Workshop Series – Superfeast: All about Medicinal Mushrooms

You’ll no doubt enjoy the workshop as our host – Mason Taylor – is not only a fantastic speaker, but deeply knowledgeable about mushrooms. Mason is a passionate herbalist & the founder of Superfeast; Australia’s leading tonic herb and medicinal mushroom provider.

He’s also a wellness educator & podcast host. He brings a refreshing and cheeky sense of humour, because – as he notes – longevity relies on a good belly laugh! Mason is dedicated to teaching people how to embrace and benefit from the healing forces of nature, especially medicinal mushrooms.

Event Details

Date: Saturday 11th March
Time: 10am-12pm AEDT
Address: Byron Community Centre, 69 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481
Tickets: $15 (MMA members receive a $5 reduction), $10 concession

Capacity is strictly limited so reserve your spot today by following the link on Humanitix

MMA Workshop Series – RESET: Holistic Health & Psychedelic Integration

Mind Medicine Australia’s Byron Bay Chapter is thrilled to invite you to:

MMA Workshop Series – RESET: Holistic health & psychedelic integration with Dr. Mario Alam

As of July 1st psychiatrists will be able to prescribe MDMA for PTSD and psilocybin for severe depression. This is a hugely promising step, but there are still challenges in front of us to ensure these treatments are both accessible and affordable for the people who could benefit.

Join Dr Mario Alam as he shares his wisdom from 25 years in medical practice including what you can do to improve your health holistically, how to feel better by releasing stuck emotions & how to integrate the benefits of psychedelics and RESET your life.

Event Details

When: Saturday 11th March, 10am-12pm
Where: Byron Community Centre
Cost: $20/ $15 concession.

Capacity is strictly limited so reserve your spot today!

Byron Bay Chapter Workshop Series – Holotropic Breathwork Introductory Workshop

MMA’s Byron Bay Chapter is thrilled to invite you to a Holotropic Breathwork Introductory Workshop

Stan Grof pioneered the exploration of altered states of consciousness for healing. Following the prohibition of LSD and other psychedelic substances, he developed a unique breathing technique that induces similar altered states of consciousness called holotropic breathing. The breath has successfully been used as a tool for activating inner healing for millennia (with pranayama being practiced in India since the 5th & 6th centuries).

Janine and Martha have been facilitating breathwork for over 20 years. In this workshop, they share their extensive knowledge on Holotropic Breathing, the inner healing mechanism and the map of the psyche. Please note that this is an information session on holotropic breathing, not an experiential workshop.

When: Saturday 27th May, 10am-12pm

Where: Byron Community Centre
Cost: $20 / $15 concession.

Capacity is strictly limited so reserve your spot today!

Sydney Chapter: Transformational Breathwork Experience

MMA’s Sydney Chapter is thrilled to invite you to a Transformational Breathwork Experience with Lynsey Chan

Our body is where we hold emotions, memories and stories that often we don’t have words for. It is also where we can access our fullest potential for everything we desire in life.

Through this transformative Breathwork journey with Lynsey Chan of Rhythm of Breath, you will be guided into a powerful experience, reaching altered states of consciousness in support of your healing and self-discovery. This style of breathwork is inspired by Holotropic Breathwork which was originally created by Stanislov Grof in the 60’s. The technique was created to achieve psychedelic-like states without using psychedelic drugs. The Grofs believed the process of deep, self-exploration brought on by these altered states can bring healing and Holotropic Breathwork has been a tool for therapeutic healing ever since.

Lynsey and Guests will offer a safe container for you to reconnect to your natural medicines, your breath to break through and let go of old stories, reach higher states of consciousness where peace, embodiment, reconnection, love, joy, personal power, ecstasy, clarity and flow all live.

When: Sunday 18th June at 9:00am (arrive at 8:30am for a 9:00am start)
Where: (Main Hall) Temple on the Park, 158 Australia St, Newtown NSW 2042
Cost: $60

Capacity is strictly limited so reserve your spot today!

FREE WEBINAR: Swimming in the Sacred – Wisdom from the Psychedelic Underground

Join this FREE WEBINAR. Don’t miss out – Get your tickets early!

Swimming in the Sacred – Wisdom from the Psychedelic Underground

Presented by Dr Rachel Harris (USA)

Based on her book by the same title, Dr. Harris will report on interviews with fifteen women elders who have been guiding underground journeys for at least twenty years and some for thirty or more. The interviews were personal and extensive, exploring themes rather than how-to instructions—presence, commitment to self-healing, apprenticeship, medicines as on-going process, relationship with medicines, clearing energy, self-responsibility. The women make careful distinctions between personal history and numinous experience. They live in both this world and an unseen world where time is not linear, intuition is paramount and intention is everything. These women are not psychedelic therapists and although some are indigenously trained, they are best described as priestesses in the model of the Eleusinian Mysteries. These elder guides represent an alternative way of being with entheogens, distinct from the medical research model. Their roots predate the current psychedelic renaissance and reach back into the original protocols still used today. These women are a rare source of insight and experience that the new trove of psychedelic therapists and researchers would be wise to consider.

EVENT DETAILS

DATE: Wednesday 6th September
TIME: 11:55am (AEST) for 12:00pm start, finishing at 1:15pm
DURATION: 75 minutes (incl Q&A)
LOCATION: Online – a link will be emailed to you with the viewing details

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Dr Rachel Harris
Psychologist
PhD

Rachel Harris, PhD is a Psychologist with both a research and clinical background. She was in the 1968 Residential Program at Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA and remained on the staff for a few years. During the decade she worked in academic research, Rachel received a New Investigator’s Award from the National Institutes of Health and published over forty scientific studies in peer-reviewed journals. Rachel was in private psychotherapy practice for thirty-five years specializing in people interested in psychospiritual development. Rachel is the author of Listening to Ayahuasca: New Hope for Depression, Addiction, PTSD, and Anxiety (New World Library, 2017) and Swimming in the Sacred: Wisdom from the Psychedelic Underground (New World Library, 2023).

MEDICINAL PSYCHEDELIC TREATMENTS

Psychedelic-assisted treatments offer enormous potential in providing a meaningful alternative to current treatments for mental illness. PTSD is a debilitating condition that affects tens of millions of people worldwide, with many more trauma victims diagnosed with comorbid conditions such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders. In recent clinical trials, MDMA has been shown to produce reliable clinical improvements, restoring patient safety and self-agency even for individuals who have suffered with PTSD for many years, and for whom many treatments have failed.

The wave of clinical psychedelic research and regulatory support is rapidly building, with experts forecasting the availability of psychedelic-assisted treatments in the US and EU within the next 2 to 5 years, subject to positive clinical outcomes in large trials that are currently underway.

SUPPORT PSYCHEDELIC RESEARCH AND THERAPY DEVELOPMENT

Your donation to Mind Medicine Australia will help us accelerate the availability and best practice of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in Australia. We are a small organisation doing big things – we need your support. Please click here to make a tax-deductible donation.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Stay in touch with Mind Medicine Australia:

×