Compassionate Guidance for deep inner work
The only journey is the journey within
-Rainer Maria Rilke
Meet Ellen Riordan, PhD
Ellen specializes in psychedelic and non-ordinary state integration. Grounded in a trauma-informed somatic approach, she emphasizes attunement, co-regulation, and creating a sense of safety. With over 15 years of experience as a somatic facilitator, Ellen supports clients in developing deeper embodied awareness. In addition to working with individuals integrating expanded states of consciousness, she also assists those navigating liminal life transitions such as retirement, divorce, grief, loss, and other significant life changes.
Approach
Ellen’s approach is grounded in the belief that each person is inherently whole. By reconnecting with our inner wisdom, we can address feelings of disconnection and cultivate practices that help us experience more joy in daily life. She incorporates mindfulness, somatic modalities, and parts work in her practice.
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Mindfulness
Mindfulness involves focusing on anchors like the breath, body sensations, or thoughts and gently returning attention when the mind wanders. Over time, this practice builds skills in emotional regulation, observing thoughts rather than being them, and responding rather than reacting to stressors.
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Somatic modalities work directly with the body–nervous system, sensations, and movement–to help shift emotional states. Somatic modalities teach the nervous system how to return to balance more quickly after activation, which supports resilience and personal growth over time
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Parts Work
Parts work understands people as made up of many “parts,” each carrying specific emotions, beliefs, and survival strategies shaped by past experiences. Recognizing how parts can try to be protective, we can move from internal conflict to internal collaboration. This often leads to a more coherent, compassionate sense of self.
FAQs
What is Psychedelic and Non-ordinary/Expanded State integration?
Psychedelic integration is the process of understanding and applying the insights or emotions that come up during a psychedelic experience. In the days, weeks, or even months afterward, people may reflect on what the experience meant to them, consider changes they’d like to make, and build supportive habits or connections to help move those insights into everyday life.
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Expanded or non-ordinary states of consciousness can feel similar to psychedelic experiences but occur without using any substances. These states can arise naturally through practices like meditation, breathwork, dreaming, or time spent in sensory-deprivation environments. Even though they come from different sources, both types of experiences can offer meaningful perspectives—and reflecting on them can be helpful.
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What are the benefits of psychedelic integration?
Integration helps translate profound experiences into lasting mental health improvements and personal growth. Benefits include
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Supporting meaningful lifestyle changes:
Helps turn insights from the experience into practical habits and reduces the pull of old patterns
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Facilitating emotional processing:
Provides space to work through fear, anxiety, or past trauma, strengthening resilience and emotional balance.
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Enhancing therapeutic progress:
Reinforces mindset shifts and deepens the benefits of ongoing mental-health or personal-growth work.
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Increasing self-awareness and connection:
Encourages reflection, meaning-making, and a greater sense of connection with oneself and others.
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Providing ongoing tools for growth:
Offers skills—such as mindfulness, journaling, or communication techniques—that support long-term development.
Do you offer psychedelic experiences?
​No. Psychedelic experiences themselves are not offered. Most psychedelic substances are illegal in Florida, and while ketamine is legal, it can only be prescribed and administered by a licensed medical professional.Ellen provides integration services only, which focus on reflection, support, and meaning-making after a psychedelic or non-ordinary experience. These services do not involve the use, provision, or facilitation of any substances.
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Are meetings online or in person?
Initial meetings happen online. Subsequent meetings can continue online or be determined.
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What are your rates?
One hour sessions are $225
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