Mycelium Mind with Pam Rivers: Exploring Alternative Paths to Mental Wellness

Squats & Séances

Venture beyond conventional therapy into the transformative world of therapeutic psilocybin with Pam Rivers, a former trauma therapist who now guides clients through profound inner journeys. This conversation reveals the remarkable intersection between traditional mental health approaches and the emerging field of psychedelic-assisted healing.
Pam's story begins in what she calls "the trauma swamp" - decades working with society's most wounded individuals, from sex-trafficked youth to children trapped in foster care systems. This background has given her an unshakable presence that she now brings to her work as a transformation guide and psychedelic facilitator. "I know my way around hell," she shares candidly, explaining how this comfort with darkness serves her clients when they encounter challenging material during their journeys.
The episode carefully distinguishes between recreational use and therapeutic protocols, walking listeners through Pam's meticulous approach to both microdosing programs and "deep dive" journeys. Unlike the common misconception of psychedelic experiences being about visual hallucinations, Pam emphasizes that therapeutic work is "an inward journey" conducted with eye masks, carefully curated music, and professional support. Her descriptions of preparation, journey day, and integration offer rare insight into a process that remains mysterious to many.
Venessa provides crucial scientific context, explaining psilocybin's action on serotonin receptors and the default mode network, while debunking historical misconceptions about addiction potential. The conversation reveals how this medicine, once demonized during Nixon's war on drugs, is now showing remarkable promise for conditions ranging from depression to addiction.
Perhaps most valuable is the honest discussion about readiness and expectations. "It's magic, but it's not a panacea," Pam cautions, addressing the misconception that one journey will instantly heal deep trauma. Instead, she emphasizes the integration period where insights must be incorporated into daily life. For those curious about alternative approaches to mental health, this conversation offers a thoughtful, nuanced entry point into understanding the potential of psychedelic-assisted healing.

IG: @pam_rivers_guide

Substack: https://substack.com/@pamriverstransformation

E: [email protected]

Analysis of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy in Medicine: A Narrative Review - PMC

Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms) | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Neural mechanisms underlying psilocybin’s therapeutic potential – the need for preclinical in vivo electrophysiology

Send us a text

Your voice matters and I would love to connect with you! If you feel called to contribute to this growing community please reach out. You can email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected].

You can find new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the adjacent vlogcast on my YouTube channel. Below is a link to episode 1: https://youtu.be/AGFv9lsJlR0

Find and follow me on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB,TT)

Until the next time may you continue to live well, embrace authenticity, question everything, and of course, stay gritty.

Chapters

1. Mycelium Mind with Pam Rivers: Exploring Alternative Paths to Mental Wellness (00:00:00)

2. Introduction to Squats and Seances (00:00:28)

3. What Does "Gritty" Mean to Pam (00:04:08)

4. From Trauma Therapy to Psychedelic Work (00:06:48)

5. Three Types of Psychedelic Services (00:18:05)

6. The Deep Dive Journey Experience (00:27:38)

7. Misconceptions About Psilocybin (00:39:35)

8. Episode Closing and Contact Information (00:51:28)