Introducing The Institute for Rural Psychedelic Care
Our Mission
To create a donation-based funding avenue for people seeking in-person KAP treatment who live in Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties.
To fund Ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP) and psychedelic assisted therapy research.
Our board of seven local individuals that includes physicians, nurses and therapists was established in the winter of 2022.
Our Board
Jennifer Brown
Executive Director + Founder, Humboldt Neurohealth Therapeutic Services
Jennifer Brown is the Executive Director and founder of Humboldt Neurohealth Therapeutic Services. She graduated from the California Institute of Integral Studies with a certificate in Psychedelic Therapies and Research. She is passionate about guiding clients through their pain toward healing and fulfilling lives.
Michael Fratkin, MD FAAHPM
Rural Palliative Care Physician
Michael D. Fratkin, MD FAAHPM is a rural palliative care physician with a long history of local innovation. He co-founded ResolutionCare/VyncCare, a home palliative care program featured on PBS NewsHour, NPR, and the Washington Post. As Chair of the AAHPM Forum on Safe Use of Psychedelic Assisted Therapies, he ensures access to these treatments for those facing serious illness and end-of-life issues.
Carrie Griffin, DO
Founder, Center for New Growth
Carrie Griffin DO is board certified in family and addiction medicine and fellowship trained in maternal, child and reproductive health. Her clinical experience with pregnant people struggling with substance use disorders inspired her transition to trauma therapy and psychedelic medicine practice. She works across multiple Humboldt County settings, including Kima:w Medical Center and United Indian Health Services, and founded the Center for New Growth.
Roy King, PhD, MD, MDiv
Associate Professor Emeritus, Stanford University
Roy King PhD, MD, MDiv is an associate professor emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. He holds degrees in mathematics from Cornell, medicine from Stanford, and divinity from Pacific School of Religion. He has published over 100 articles on topics ranging from dopamine mathematics to art/poetry/yoga therapy. He retired from psychiatric practice in Arcata and enjoys woodworking and photography.
Lindsay Kolterman
Founder, MDCM Investments
Lindsay Kolterman is the founder of MDCM Investments, a consulting agency specializing in business finance and systems optimization. She serves as CEO of The Source Chiropractic Franchise and Chief Financial Officer for the Alliance for Sacred Living, dedicated to healing and protecting indigenous communities.
Shin Luong
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Shin Luong is a licensed clinical social worker with extensive rural community experience since 2008 across Humboldt County. She conceptualizes human experiences through trauma, attachments, and relationships. She earned her Master of Social Work from Humboldt State University in 2011 and completed the California Institute of Integral Studies Psychedelics Assisted Therapies and Research Certificate Program in 2024.
Christina Thompson
Registered Nurse
Christina is a mother of three amazing children. Christina has been a labor and delivery nurse for 20 years, supports monthly perinatal outreach at Kima:w Medical Center, and works as an aesthetics and infusion nurse locally. She has been a member of the Better Birthing Project since 2021, received the system-wide Values in Action Award with Providence in 2023-2024, and has experienced ketamine therapy healing benefits.
IRPC Announcements
The Institute for Rural Psychedelic Care seeks participants for ketamine-assisted therapy program
McLean Foundation-funded program aims to provide community care and healing to Eel River Valley law enforcement officers and first responders
September 2024
Local nonprofit the Institute for Rural Psychedelic Care seeks frontline workers living or working in the Eel River Valley to participate in a new ketamine-assisted therapy program.
Created in response to the challenges faced by public servants in their work, the program is open to six law enforcement officers and first responders at no cost, thanks to a $10,000 grant from the McLean Foundation, with an additional $10,000 from the Saudade Institute. "Supporting our law enforcement officers and first responders in the Eel River Valley fits our call to empower our community partners in making our home all that it can be," says Denise Marshall, Executive Director of the McLean Foundation.
The program, which is slated to begin early 2025, will provide participants with several rounds of ketamine-assisted therapy, with individual sessions and group integration experiences to support the process. Modeled after affinity peer group support models, the program aims to provide local officers and first responders a space to process their healing of past traumas with others who understand the experience of working on the frontlines as they too go through the program.
"We are so grateful to be living in a community that recognizes the importance of supporting our law enforcement officers and first responders. This gift of healing to these critical members of our community is groundbreaking and in the best interest of all of us who depend on them," says Dr. Michael Fratkin, who will be heading the program. With almost thirty years experience of supporting individuals through traumatic life events, Fratkin sees the Eel River Valley program as providing essential healing care to those who often face the deepest struggles resulting from their roles in keeping the community safe.
Those interested in learning about participating in the program can reach out confidentially by contacting Michael Fratkin at (707) 496-6846 or support@ruralpsychedeliccare.org.
Full press release | KRCR-TV interview with Michael Fratkin (September 25th)