Discovering the Meaning of Life in the Process of Dying – Gisele Fernandes-Osterhold

Our guest, Gisele Fernandes-Osterhold, has an impressive background in psychotherapy and a deep commitment to helping people navigate end-of-life fears. Her extensive experience in this field has given her a unique perspective on the ways in which we can find meaning and healing in the process of dying. In her role as Director of Facilitation for Psychedelic Therapy Studies at UCSF, Gisele is at the forefront of exploring the potential of psychedelic medicine to alleviate anxiety and depression associated with chronic illness and death. Her work is leading the way in this emerging field, and she is passionate about sharing her insights with others.

Despite the fact that our culture tends to shy away from discussions about death, Gisele believes that these conversations are crucial for our well-being and growth. By embracing a more open and honest approach to this important topic, we can better understand the true meaning of life and find greater peace and acceptance in the face of mortality.

“The theme of death always brings me in touch with how we're living.”

Gisele Fernandes-Osterhold is a psychotherapist, the director of facilitation for psychedelic therapy studies at the University of California San Francisco, a faculty member at the California Institute of Integral Studies, a mentor at the Center for Psychedelic Therapies and Research and a clinical supervisor at the Alchemy Institute. Active in the mental health field for over 25 years, Gisele is specialized in the treatment of trauma, using an integrative approach rooted in Somatic, Humanistic-Existential and Transpersonal psychologies. Her vision for healing and wholeness is also informed by embodied spirituality, yoga, dance and traditions of her native Brazil. Being an immigrant to the United States and a woman of color, Gisele holds a deep dedication to diversity and inclusion processes and education.

Show notes:

* Living fully and mindfully

* The benefits of working with death at a young age

* Confronting Death: Awakening to Life's Meaning

* We are a death phobic culture, but what does that mean?

* Easing the transition of death and conversations had with those who are dying

* The role psychedelics can play in easing the fear and anxiety around death

* A new study involving psilocybin treatment with people with Parkinson’s

* Believe in the power of healing, and that lies inside of each of us

* “If the concrete physical death can destroy us, the topic of death can save us”

* Psychedelics and our relationship with chronic pain

* If you can walk, you can dance

Links and references:

* Psychedelic Wisdom

* Psychedelic Medicine

* USCF Translational Psychedelic Research Program

* Talking about People through Dance

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