bio
My name is Alessandra, and I use the pronouns she/her. I am a mom, partner, friend, retreat and group facilitator, licensed professional counselor (LPC), artist, founder and creative director of The Chrysalis Institute. I live in Kalamazoo, MI, Anishinaabe territory, also known as The Council of Three Fires, including the Odawa, the Ojibwe, and the Potawatomi people. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, my identity is multifaceted with Indigenous, West African, and European roots. My studies and explorations have centered around relational dynamics within the intrapersonal, nuclear and collective spheres. Within the psychedelic domain, I am particularly interested in preparation, journey, and integration processes that sustain lasting change for individuals and impact their broader communities. The unique needs of individuals who identify themselves as belonging to historically excluded communities is an important focus of my work. I am committed to staying engaged with liberation efforts that amplify my scope of practice in the interest of consciousness expansion and healing.
relevant education/trainings
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CENTER for PSYCHEDELIC THERAPIES and RESEARCH CERTIFICATE: THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF INTEGRAL STUDIES -2020-2021 COHORT: 150 HOURS
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MDMA ASSISTED THERAPY CERTIFICATE (PART A-D): Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC) -2020-2021 COHORT: 100 HOURS
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PSYCHEDELIC ASSISTED THERAPY CERTIFICATE: NAROPA UNIVERSITY - 2022 COHORT: 200 HOURS
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KETAMINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY EXPERIENTIAL CERTIFICATE: MODERN SPIRIT- 2022 BI&POC COHORT
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KETAMINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY TRAINING CERTIFICATE: SKYLIGHT PSYCHEDELICS- 2023
current & RECENT engagements
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LICENSED PSYCHOTHERAPIST - PRIVATE PRACTICE
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PSYCHEDELIC ASSISTED THERAPIST- CURANDO * CURRENTLY ACCEPTING CLIENTS FOR KETAMINE SUBLINGUAL TREATMENT
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LEAD EDUCATOR - NAROPA UNIVERSITY PSILOCYBIN FACILITATOR TRAINING CERTIFICATE
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CLINICAL SKILLS PRACTICE GROUP LEAD - NAROPA UNIVERSITY PSYCHEDELIC ASSISTED THERAPY CERTIFICATE
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ADMISSIONS REVIEW PANEL - NAROPA UNIVERSITY PSYCHEDELIC ASSISTED THERAPY CERTIFICATE
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RACIAL HEALING INITIATIVE FACILITATOR - RETREAT CENTER COLLABORATIVE
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FOUNDER/FACILITATOR/CREATIVE DIRECTOR- THE CHRYSALIS INSTITUTE FOR EMERGING BI&POC ARTISTS
INTERESTS & SELF-CARE PRACTICES
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ART
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YOGA
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REIKI
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ECOTHERAPY
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CEREMONY and RITUAL
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CONTEMPLATIVE STUDIES
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TAROT
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ASTROLOGY
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GATHERING
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TRAVELING
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HERBALISM