Michael Spertus, MD

I am a physician board-certified in Family Medicine, Integrative Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine, and with fellowship training in medical education and Primary Care Psychiatry. I am currently working as a Chief Clinician Well-Being Officer (CWO), focusing on clinician wellness and organizational burnout mitigation, and in integrative Whole Health approaches for chronic pain. With my background in Integrative Medicine, I have become interested particularly in holistic approaches to healing that focus on the complex interaction between the mind, body, and spirit together, working toward harmony.

Throughout my life and professional journey, I have been following the path that has led me now to psychedelic medicine and to our retreat offerings. As a gay man, I have experienced deep personal struggles related to self-acceptance and belonging, while also exploring the often harsh nature of societal expectations related to gender and From my own life as well as in my clinical practice, I have witnessed other gay and LGBTQ+ individuals struggle with their own sense of shame, lack of self-esteem, rejection, isolation, and at times destructive behaviors, often in search of a validation that has never been fully realized. Unfortunately, often these struggles—along with other factors—become severe and can disrupt one's life and self-construct. I have also witnessed the amazing capacity of LGBTQ+ individuals to form meaningful communities and establish chosen families, build resilience, and most importantly, to thrive. I am a strong believer in group work and the retreat model, which can often serve as an antidote to the cold, forlorn, individual medical encounter. In my own group and retreat work, I have experienced the immense healing that can occur by coming together and simply being. By offering our retreats for gay and queer men led by other gay men, I am hopeful that we can promote a welcoming and healing space for change. I am full of enthusiasm and gratitude to be able to bring the retreat model, ketamine-assisted therapy, and other holistic approaches together to facilitate thriving.