with J. Kim Penberthy, Ph.D., ABPP
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic, has been shown to reliably induce profound mystical-type and psi-like experiences in controlled research settings. These experiences—often marked by unity, transcendence, and deep personal meaning—are associated with enduring improvements in mental health, including reductions in depression, anxiety, and prolonged grief.
Dr. Penberthy will review current scientific findings on psilocybin-facilitated states of consciousness, exploring their phenomenology, therapeutic implications, and relationship to spirituality and psi phenomena.
By integrating clinical psychology, neuroscience, and consciousness studies, Dr. Penberthy will highlight the transformative potential of psilocybin and its relevance to understanding the deeper dimensions of human experience.
Dr. J. Kim Penberthy, Ph.D., ABPP, is a distinguished clinical psychologist and researcher. She holds the Chester F. Carlson Professorship in Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine, where she is a member of the Division of Perceptual Studies and the Cancer Center. Her research and clinical work focus on contemplative practices, and their applications in treating chronic illnesses, addictions, and mental health disorders. She also conducts research on altered states of consciousness and extraordinary experiences such as near death, out-of-body experiences and afterdeath communications. Throughout her career, Dr. Penberthy has integrated contemplative practices into her therapeutic approach. She has developed and tested innovative interventions for various conditions, including a contemplative intervention for patients with lupus, aimed at improving both psychological and physiological outcomes. In addition to her clinical and research work, Dr. Penberthy is dedicated to education and has published extensively. She has co-authored books, including Living Mindfully Across the Lifespan: An Intergenerational Guide, and has presented her findings at conferences worldwide. Her contributions to psychology have been recognized with numerous awards, including being named the Virginia Psychologist of the Year in 2023. Dr. Penberthy's holistic approach to treatment emphasizes the importance of addressing both the mind and body, and she is committed to advancing the use of contemplative practices in healthcare to enhance overall wellbeing. This includes exploring extraordinary experiences such as near-death experiences, after death experiences, and other mystical and transcendent experiences to understand the implications for theories of consciousness, as well as the impact on health and wellbeing in those who experience them.