NEFESH: The International Network of Orthodox Mental Health Professionals

Clinical Perspectives on Psychedelics, Spirituality and Trauma

Previously Recorded

$64.99 USD Cost For Member: $39.99

Darcy Wallen, LCSW, CIMHP
Dr. Laura Spencer

Full Day Webinar

January 25, 2026

11:45 AM - 3:45 PM EST

The cost of one day is $64.99, an individual class is, $29.99 and $39.99

To register for the SEMINAR, Click "BUY IT NOW". To register for just one class, click on the Class/link below.

If you have any difficulty registering, please contact us here.

Class 1

11:45 AM - 1:15 PM EST

Altered States, Sacred Views: Faith-Based Ethics in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

Psychedelic-assisted therapy has reemerged at the forefront of psychiatric and spiritual healing research. Yet for adherents of orthodox religious traditions, its use presents profound ethical, legal, and theological dilemmas. This presentation explores how major world religions—including Orthodox Judaism, Roman Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism—conceptualize the permissibility and prohibition of mind-altering substances for therapeutic purposes. Drawing from halachic responsa, Catholic canon law, Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), Hindu scriptures (the Vedas and Upanishads), and Buddhist ethical precepts, we will analyze under what circumstances psychedelic-assisted therapy might be prescribed for healing, and when it remains firmly proscribed due to concerns of intoxication, idolatry, or loss of moral agency.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how each tradition frames the risks, promises, and parameters of using psychedelics as medicine. The session will include case examples, scholarly references, and theological arguments currently shaping religious engagement with psychedelic science. Through this comparative lens, we will explore how faith and reason can intersect responsibly in the evolving landscape of psychedelic therapy.

(Trainer - Rus Devorah (Darcy) Wallen, LCSW, ACSW, CIMHP, is the Founder of Toratherapeutics® and NOGA Wellness Solutions®. A licensed clinical social worker and certified integrative health professional, she combines trauma therapies, MBCT, and the Neuro Arts—music, psychotherapy, and education—to promote emotional wellbeing. Her NOGA® Sound Solutions brand offers sound healing and meditation-based relaxation tools worldwide)

1.5 Hours

Class 2

1:45 PM - 3:45 PM EST

The Trauma Bond - Why Abused People Stay

The “Trauma Bond” is one interpersonal mechanism through which an abusive or coercive individual exerts power over others. How a trauma bond works is complicated and difficult for those not involved in such relationships to understand (Dutton and Painter, 1981). What is clear is the development of the trauma bond is insidious and intricate – the formation of the patterns not only involve the two people in the relationship (or the family or group, if applicable) but the culture and society in which the individuals live and interact (Durvasula, 2024).

Trauma bonding, which is a relational trauma when the abuse or neglect occurs between a caregiver and child, is not only something that occurs in IPV but also in narcissistic abuse, cults, and abusive family relationships (Shaw, 2022). When someone becomes involved in this cycle the likelihood of this toxic dynamic awareness is low and has long-lasting effects (Shaw, 2022; Durvasula, 2024) similar to complex posttraumatic stress disorder. This course is an introduction to the Trauma Bond, how it affects the individual and what the clinician can do when confronted with this in practice.

(Trainer - Dr. Laura Spencer is a Licensed Mental Health Clinician with over 20 years’ experience working in the behavioral health field. Dr. Spencer has worked with individuals, families and couples, navigating many types of difficulties, from serious emotional disturbances to typical life changes. In addition to clinical practice and supervision, Dr. Spencer has taught graduate level classes in Counseling and Psychology at SUNY at Buffalo and conducted research on what works in parenting.)

2 Hours

This Seminar includes three excellent classes, a total of 3.5 CEs. You may attend an individual class for $29.99 and $39.99

Number of CEs in this bundle: 3.5

Workshops included in this bundle:

Altered States, Sacred Views: Faith-Based Ethics in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

The Trauma Bond - Why Abused People Stay

These workshops offer 3.5 Live Interactive Continuing Education Credits

These workshops offer 3.5 Continuing Education Credits
Credits provided are Non-Live interactive credits.

This presentation is open to:

Social Workers
Professional Counselors
Therapists
Psychologists
Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services

Course Level: introductory

Level of Clinician: beginner

New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification. Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. The grievance policy for trainings provided by NEFESH INTERNATIONAL is available here Satisfactory Completion Participants must have paid the tuition fee, logged in and out each day, attended the entire workshop, and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate (If this is a pre-recorded program, a post-test with a passing grade of 80% to receive a certificate.) Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion by clicking here.

There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.

Not all sessions share the same accreditation. Please see accreditation for each individual class below.

NEFESH International, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0116.
NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0046
NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Mental Health Counselor #MHC-0082
NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0048.
CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
CE You! maintains responsibility for this program.
Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0275.
Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0774.