Warriors of the Mind: Exploring Psychedelic Healing with Veterans (San Antonio)

In this provocative panel conversation, we'll hear from four San Antonio area veterans who have experienced the healing power of psychedelic medicine to transcend their trauma to become their best selves. These four individuals serve as journalists, coaches, advocates, visionaries, therapists, leaders, and volunteers in this emerging field. Come learn about their journeys, the healing power of these medicines, and the ways in which many in the veteran community have transformed their lives and their relationships with loved ones as a result. 

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

Bob Stead

Bob Stead served proudly in the United States Army as a Combat Medic after reenlisting following the attacks on 9/11. He was medically retired after injuries sustained during combat operations and after a decade of rehab and self-discovery, he went back to school to get his master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Texas at San Antonio.  He has experience in Individual and Group Crisis Intervention, Disaster Response and Psychological First Aid.  Bob currently works as a Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapist as well as independently offering psychedelic preparation and integration services and support.  He is not ashamed to share his struggles with suicide and post-traumatic stress, because he realizes that through sharing his story others will find the strength to break free.  Experience with plant medicine in therapeutic settings has opened Bob’s ability to connect with and understand who he is and where his purpose lies. 

Will Parry

Will Parry served in the Army for four years and after reaching the rank of sergeant, he was part of the  Counterintelligence (CI) Special Agent program. Later he accepted assignments within Special Operations, and he contributed to Operations Enduring Freedom and Joint Guardian, working closely with units like Seal Team 10, Seal Team 2, 3rd Special Forces Group, and various intelligence agencies. Despite a successful career, Will’s mental health began to suffer, until reaching a point of crisis. Following a PTSD diagnosis, he sought treatment within the military for these symptoms, only to be put on a cocktail of pharmaceutical drugs which left him feeling hopeless. It was this crisis of mental health that prompted a difficult decision to exit government and military service and seek alternative healing modalities. Recognizing the potential for healing, he made the decision to train to become a  credentialed addiction recovery and psychedelic  integration coach. He plans to assist others in their quest for healing and recovery, drawing from his own experiences and a deep sense of empathy.

Cassie Cantin

Cassie Cantin is a veteran who served around the world — from South Carolina to Korea to Ft. Hood, Texas. She deployed to Iraq from March 2003 until March 2004. After that deployment, she had the honor of serving at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), now known as San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC), and cared for several wounded veterans. While there, she realized that many service members, herself included, were battling invisible wounds. Plagued by insomnia, PTSD, and survivor's guilt, Cassie decided to attend a treatment program in June of 2022. Cassie lives in New Braunfels, TX and also serves as a veteran ambassador  for the Boot Campaign.

Ethan Rocke

Ethan E. Rocke is a New York Times bestselling author and award-winning photojournalist and filmmaker. A US Army and Marine Corps veteran, Ethan has specialized in reporting on the military and veterans for more than 20 years. He is editor-in-chief of Truth Has a Moderate Bias, an independent, multimedia journalism operation that provides reliable, deeply reported information about psychedelic-assisted therapies with a focused on how military veterans and first responders in search of healing and transformation are helping to fuel the psychedelic renaissance. Ethan is also a certified addiction recovery and psychospiritual integration coach and a Pat Tillman Scholar. He holds a B.S. in Photojournalism from Syracuse University and an M.S. in Multimedia Journalism from the University of Oregon. You can find more information at ethanrockemedia.com.

TICKETS:

The ticket cost will cover fees for renting the event space,  A/V equipment,  administrative fees for the Psychedelic Society of Texas. These are sliding scale tickets -- please feel free to choose the ticket price based on what works for your financial situation. We appreciate your generosity and willingness to further psychedelic community and education.

Please RSVP before this one-of-a-kind event fills up!

PsyT Disclaimer: Version September 2023

PsyT does not hold ceremonies or promote illegal activities during our events. This is not a place to seek, encourage, or participate in the procurement of controlled substances. You agree that you will not contact us for such things and will not engage in any such activities in your participation in any PsyT event. We provide a platform to discuss experiences that offer transformation in our personal and professional lives. You acknowledge that any information we provide is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

**Please do not use our space to promote or source substance and retreats**