Clinician Spotlight: Dr. Ben Medrano

Let’s start with something easy. Can you tell us a little about your professional background and areas of focus?

I am a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in Integrative Psychiatry, Ketamine-Assisted Therapy, and Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration. I earned my MD from the University of Colorado School of Medicine with additional training in their Urban Underserved Track. After completing my psychiatric residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, I focused on underserved populations in East Harlem before turning to psychedelic-assisted therapy. I completed a fellowship in Integrative Psychiatry and received training in Ketamine-Assisted Therapy through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute and other renowned experts.

My clinical practice is heavily influenced by my long-standing interest in consciousness, psychedelics, and integrative medicine. I am also a graduate of Vajrayana Buddhist seminary and have over 20 years of intensive training as a meditation instructor.

I'm best known for my work with ketamine-assisted therapy and served as the national Medical Director for Field Trip Health and at Nue.Life before joining the Innerwell team as their Chief Medical Officer.

How would you describe your approach to therapy?

My approach to therapy is collaborative, honoring client autonomy while fostering a supportive environment for healing, growth, and flourishing. I believe that each person's journey is unique, and therapy should be tailored to individual needs. Together, we explore the reasons that bring you to seek care, building on your strengths and identifying the most effective strategies to help you achieve the life you envision. I combine evidence-based practices with innovative approaches, focusing on the therapeutic alliance and holistic well-being.

What would your patients say about you?

My patients would likely describe me as someone who is genuinely invested in their well-being and takes the time to understand their unique experiences. They might say I bring a calm, thoughtful presence to our work together, blending holistic care with innovative, evidence-based approaches. Many appreciate my ability to create a safe, non-judgmental space where they feel empowered to grow and heal. They would also highlight my interest in psychedelic-assisted therapies and meditative practices, which bring a fresh perspective to mental health care.

How did you become interested in working with psychedelics including ketamine?

My interest in working with psychedelics, including ketamine, grew from my long-standing fascination with consciousness and integrative medicine. Early in my career, I worked with underserved communities, and I saw firsthand the limitations of traditional treatments for mental health conditions. I was drawn to the transformative potential of psychedelics, particularly their ability to offer healing in ways that go beyond conventional approaches. Through extensive training and personal exploration of meditative practices, I saw how these therapies could deeply enhance mental health care and foster lasting change.

What has been your most meaningful experience in working with psychedelics?

This one is hard to answer, as there are so many! The general theme of these revolve around the profound power of these treatments to elicit deep meaning and lasting change for people who demonstrate a readiness for such.

What excites you most about the future of psychedelics?

Following the research, we're seeing an increase in potential indications for psychedelics. We're also seeing many new molecules and routes of administration. Furthermore, we're seeing a lot of creativity around the kinds or corresponding talk therapies utilized with these medications. To put it shortly, this is really the beginning of a major paradigm shift in how psychiatric care is delivered.

Enough about work! Let’s try some rapid fire questions;

• First, Where do you live? - New York City
• What's a perfect afternoon? - Taking my toddler out into nature.
• Favorite food? Pizza/Pasta - Too many to list! I love sushi and pizza the most.
• Describe yourself in two words. - Open & Kind