The Pearl Psychedelic Institute

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The Pearl Psychedelic Institute

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The Pearl Institute is a nonprofit that aims to bring cutting edge, trauma informed care into mainstream practice through research, treatment, and training while bridging the barriers to patient access. We do not support sales and distribution of illegal substances and will remove posts and comments providing such information and ban the poster from the site.

10/24/2025

🌟 Meet the Team Behind The Pearl Institute 🌟

We’re honored to shine a light on some of the incredible people who help carry forward The Pearl’s mission of healing, connection, and transformation.

🌟 Lynn Carlson, Therapist, LCMHC
Lynn is an experienced therapist helping individuals and families heal from trauma. Certified in EMDR and trained in Animal-Assisted Therapy, she blends compassion and connection in her work. As Executive Director of the Thirtieth Judicial District Alliance, she also leads community mental health and advocacy efforts.
🌟 Brandi Doyle, Nurse Practitioner
Brandi is a dedicated healer who bridges holistic wellness with modern medicine. A former Army combat medic and Afghanistan veteran, she turned her own healing from PTSD into a path of service. Specializing in palliative care and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, Brandi combines clinical skill with spiritual insight to support deep transformation.
🌟 Lauren Roth, Licensed Therapist
Lauren, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 15+ years of experience, supports individuals, couples, and families throughout Western North Carolina. Trained in Somatic Experiencing, IFS, and EFT, she specializes in trauma and relationship healing. Lauren also offers Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, drawing on MAPS and KAP training for integrative, transformative care.
🌟 Grace Ellsworth, LCMHC
Grace is a compassionate therapist who creates a grounded, supportive space for healing and self-discovery. A University of Georgia graduate, she uses a collaborative, acceptance-based approach integrating mindfulness and nervous system regulation. Grace is passionate about the mind’s capacity for transformation and the intentional use of psychedelics in therapy.

Together, this remarkable team reflects The Pearl’s commitment to compassionate, integrative, and transformative healing for all. 💛

10/23/2025

✨ Explore “The Gathering of The Pearl: Psychedelics in the South” — a Lucid News feature by Emma Castleberry highlighting The Pearl Institute’s work bringing trauma-informed p$ych3del!c healing and community connection to Asheville through our annual Gathering.

We have so much gratitude for Emma Castleberry’s beautiful storytelling, and to .media / for capturing the spirit of the event through these stunning photos. 🙏

Check out article here: https://www.lucid.news/the-gathering-of-the-pearl-psychedelics-in-the-south/

10/22/2025

Why do you think integration is so important? ✨

At PS2025 we asked folks why integration was important to them because at The Pearl we take our clients’ time to integrate seriously and believe it is a crucial part in the p$ych3del!c therapy process.

At the Pearl Institute we offer a plethora of ways to integrate your experiences so that you can take the lessons learned and insight gained into your daily life. Without integration the epiphanies gained will be lost over time instead of woven into your being. Had your own experiences you are looking to integrate and better understand? Feel free to reach out and set up an integration session with one of our incredible staff to start your journey today!

10/20/2025

Today marks the 5 year anniversary of the Pearl Institute becoming a Nonprofit! 🧡

Thank you to everyone who has joined us on this serpentine journey as we continue to try and bring awareness of these ancient/revolutionary healing modalities to those that need it.

We are excited to see what the next 5 years brings as we continue to grow as a community! Thank you for your continued support!

10/17/2025

Last Chance to Bid: Lake Tahoe Chalet Stay! 🧡

Missed The Gathering’s live auction? We have another opportunity to try and win!

Enjoy stunning mountain views, modern comfort, and easy access to the Diamond Peak Ski Resort and nearby trails.

This auction closes at midnight on Friday October 31st, check out the link below to learn more and place your bid while supporting The Pearl Institute’s sliding scale treatment! ✨

https://givebutter.com/c/hk6ukH/auction/items/1225910

10/16/2025

Meet Maddie Gustin our new Administrative Coordinator at The Pearl Institute! 🧡

Maddie grew up near Cincinnati, Ohio, and moved to the Waynesville area about 3 years ago. Since then, she has worked and volunteered with several small businesses in the area. Maddie has experience working in the wellness world through the former Waynesville Yoga Center and Sundarah Wellness. She is excited to continue to explore wellness and learn more about mental health with The Pearl. She believes that The Pearl provides treatments that help people work through their most difficult challenges and is eager to be part of the team.

We’re so excited to welcome Maddie to the Pearl team and weave her energy into our community. If you come to the Pearl for a treatment or SoundSelf session you may see Maddie’s smiling face.

10/15/2025

We’re excited to announce a new training for 2026: the Intermediate Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) Training at The Pearl Institute!

This program is designed for healthcare professionals who have completed our Introduction to KAP Experiential Weekend or a similar introductory training elsewhere. Building on the foundations of KAP, this training takes a deeper dive into the clinical and medical nuances of this powerful therapeutic approach.

Participants will explore the complex psychological and emotional dynamics that often arise in KAP sessions and learn advanced techniques for fostering client growth and integration.

✨ Limited spots available, registration coming soon.
📩 Email info@pearlpsychedelicinstitute.org to learn more!

10/14/2025

🌟 Meet the Team Behind The Pearl Institute 🌟

We’re honored to shine a light on some of the incredible people who help carry forward The Pearl’s mission of healing, connection, and transformation.

🌟 Carmen Chavez, Assistant Medical Director
A dual-certified nurse practitioner (NP-C, PMHNP-BC), Carmen’s compassion and curiosity guide her work in integrative mental health. From hospice care to Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, she’s devoted to helping her community heal in mind and body.
🌟 Kim Turpin, Marketing & Development Director
Kim brings a lifelong passion for education, community building, and holistic wellness to The Pearl. With experience as an educator, business director, fundraiser, and certified yoga and Reiki practitioner, she’s dedicated to fostering growth and healing across Western North Carolina.
🌟 Jackie Dobrinska, Integration Director
Jackie is a spiritual leader and educator with deep roots in holistic wellness, guiding others through yoga, Ayurveda, mindfulness, and spiritual exploration. Her work empowers individuals to live with love, authenticity, and purpose.
🌟 Dr. David Young, Psychologist
Dr. Young specializes in depth psychotherapy and explores how psychedelics and mindfulness support self-understanding and healing. His thoughtful, compassionate approach helps clients navigate their inner worlds with clarity and care.

Together, this incredible team embodies The Pearl’s mission to expand access to compassionate, evidence-based, and transformative care. 💛

10/13/2025

10 days until our online webinar with Dr. Raymond Turpin on MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD 🧠

Join Dr. Raymond Turpin of the Pearl Institute for a powerful 3-hour virtual training diving deep into the science, history, and therapeutic potential of MDMA-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant PTSD.

📅 Thursday, October 23rd
🕠 5:30 PM – 8:40 PM EST
💻 Join from anywhere!

✔️ Approved for NBCC CEs
✔️ Live Q&A + 24/7 Replay Access
✔️ Open to professionals, students, and curious minds alike!

🎟️ With CEs: $111
🎟️ Without CEs: $77

🔗 Register now check out our bio to learn more!

10/09/2025

Mark your calendars for the 2026 Introduction to Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Trainings at The Pearl Institute!

This four-day immersive training is designed to help healthcare professionals deepen their understanding of psychedelic-assisted therapy and prepare to become ketamine-assisted therapy providers.

Participants will receive 7 hours of expert instruction covering ketamine’s history, research, medical considerations, and therapeutic applications, along with guidance on creating a trauma-informed clinic environment and supporting clients through preparation, in-session care, and integration.

The program also includes two days of experiential training, exploring different routes of administration as both client and sitter, and a dedicated integration day to help you best support your clients’ journeys of self-discovery.

Past trainees have rated this program excellent and say it far exceeded their expectations.

✨ Limited spots available, registration coming soon.
📩 Email info@pearlpsychedelicinstitute.org to learn more!

10/08/2025

A beautiful long weekend with our 2025 October Introduction to KAP Training cohort! 🧡

Thank you for trusting The Pearl Institute with your education and training, our team left this weekend with hearts full of joy and hope. We love watching a community grow from these experiences, it’s one of our team’s favorite things to witness as the weekend unfolds.

There’s a few spots left for our November KAP Training… check out our trainings & education to learn more!

10/07/2025

We still have a few spots left for our November KAP Training weekend!

Join us November 6th for a didactic training day. This training offers an overview of ketamine use in psychiatry, a review of current research, discussion of appropriate indications and uses in treatment, and education on the differences in varying models of treatment. This training also provides discussion of unique ethical considerations, boundaries and abuse of power in the rapidly evolving field of p$ych3del!c medicine.

Following this didactic training we offer a 2 1/2 day experiential training November 7th - 9th where participants can get hands-on experience with this therapeutic practice. In order to do this experiential training you must have completed our didactic training prior.

We only have a few spots available for our didactic training day and 1 spot available for our experiential training. Email info@pearlpsychedelicinstitute.org to secure your spot and register today!

Learn more here: https://www.pearlpsychedelicinstitute.org/events-training

Address

55 Academy Street
Waynesville, NC
28786

Website

https://www.pearlpsychedelicinstitute.org/

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