Millions of individuals are affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. Frontline psychotherapies for #PTSD don't work for two-thirds of patients. Sunstone recognizes the need for innovative treatments. We are dedicated to contributing to research into the safety and efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapy to treat PTSD. Join us in raising awareness and supporting research that can change lives. #PTSDResearch #mentalhealthmatters #wholepersonhealing
Sunstone Therapies
Mental Health Care
Rockville, Maryland 1,989 followers
Leading the research and delivery of psychedelic therapies for those affected by complex mental health challenges.
About us
Sunstone is a leader in the delivery of psychedelic-assisted therapy in the medical setting, focusing on the development and execution of clinical trials today, and moving towards clinical delivery when therapies are approved. We aim to reduce the emotional suffering of those affected by cancer and complex mental health challenges and disorders, and to make safe, effective psychedelic-assisted therapy an accessible reality for all who might benefit from it. Fundamental to our approach is the belief that health is not just the absence of illness but a state of emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. In the last 12 months, Sunstone has treated more patients with PAT (not including ketamine) within a clinical setting than any other organization in the world. Delivery of psychedelic therapies is complex, requiring significant capabilities and experience in logistics, infrastructure and training, as well as clinical care. Sunstone’s patient-centric approach is based on the cancer care model, with the team drawing on their deep experience in oncology to provide the operational excellence to deliver complex, multi-faceted care at scale. Sunstone also provides training and education in PAT, as well as focusing on all aspects of clinic design and delivery including digital platforms, cost modeling, and quality of care.
- Website
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http://sunstonetherapies.com
External link for Sunstone Therapies
- Industry
- Mental Health Care
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Rockville, Maryland
- Type
- Privately Held
- Founded
- 2020
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
9905 Medical Center Drive
#350
Rockville, Maryland 20850, US
Employees at Sunstone Therapies
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Chris Baer
Mandala Institute Founder | Sunstone Co-Founder | Coach | Developing Our Next Great Leaders
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Mark Bates
Psychedelic Therapist at Sunstone Therapies
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Norma Mancini Stevens, MS, NCC, LCPC
Lead Therapist and Clinical Researcher for Psychedelic Assisted Therapy in clinical trials at Sunstone Therapies, Rockville, MD.
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Betsy Jenkins
Therapist, Psychedelic Assisted Therapy
Updates
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Manish Agrawal MD, Co-founder and CEO, will present at the H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC 5th Annual Neuro Perspectives Virtual Conference. Dr. Agrawal’s presentation will be available on demand beginning Thursday, June 27, at 7am EST. Michael Pollack, Director of Business Development, will participate in one-on-one investor meetings during the conference. For more information visit: https://lnkd.in/eJ4Mkqh3
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The recent vote from the FDA Advisory Committee in regard to MDMA-assisted therapy has highlighted the need for further discussion. Sharing with you a letter from our CEO and Co-Founder, Manish Agrawal, about his perspective and what lies ahead.
Dear Sunstone Community, It has been a pivotal couple of weeks for the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) following the FDA advisory committee meeting around FDA approval of MDMA-AT for PTSD. While there has been meaningful dialogue within and outside the psychedelic community— dialogue crucial in addressing the complex challenges of this innovative treatment—many questions remain unanswered. While the committee’s vote is not indicative of the FDA’s official decision, which is expected in August, I am not surprised that we are at this inflection point: psychedelic-assisted therapy introduces a shift in the paradigm of medicine, specifically what counts as disease and health. The current medical system and regulatory framework are not fully prepared to address a treatment model that involves a combination of drug and therapy. MDMA-assisted therapy is a complex, nuanced form of care that is unlike any treatment currently available. Prior to Sunstone, I was an oncologist for 20 years, treating thousands of patients suffering emotionally and physically. I founded Sunstone because I saw the potential of psychedelic therapy to help patients address whole person healing. Seeing transformative results with PAT, we have expanded our work considerably, anticipating 11 open trials in 2024 with more planned for 2025. Over the past year, Sunstone has administered more treatments with non-ketamine psychedelic-assisted therapy in a medical setting than any other site in the country. While Sunstone did not participate in the Lykos’ Phase 2 and 3 trials, we have treated many patients in the Expanded Access Program for MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD, witnessing firsthand the healing ability of this treatment. We feel strongly that based on our experience, there are key considerations to ensure safe delivery. We have been talking about this in terms of “Five things we have learned about delivering psychedelic-assisted therapy”: 1. Psychedelics do not heal on their own 2. Trauma can emerge at any time and therapists must be well-prepared to manage it 3. Group therapy can enhance the treatment 4. Rigorous screening protocols are critical 5. Compassionate care is not time-bound MDMA is not a magic bullet and won’t be suitable for everyone. But it will be life-changing for many people who have suffered for years, sometimes decades. We have a unique opportunity to embrace the complexity of this treatment and develop the necessary safety, training, and operational standards to deliver this care to the millions of individuals suffering with PTSD. Our focus remains on improving the understanding of PAT and doing more to ensure safe, efficacious delivery in the real world. As always, Sunstone Therapies will continue to conduct clinical trials with psychedelic-assisted therapy to develop the data supporting these much-needed advancements. With love and rigor, Manish
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Two Sunstone team members, Norma Mancini Stevens, MS, NCC, LCPC and Eloise Cherian, were recent guests on the Soul of Life and Security Halt! Podcasts. Norma Stevens spoke with podcast host and therapist, Keith Miller, providing education about psychedelic-assisted therapy and sharing her unique perspective as the Lead Therapist of Operations at Sunstone. After meeting at a USSOCOM Conference earlier this spring, Sunstone’s Communications Coordinator Eloise Cherian and Deny Caballero had the opportunity to reconnect to talk more about psychedelic-assisted therapy, treatment for trauma patients, and specifically the needs of our military community. Listen to learn more! Soul of Life podcast: https://lnkd.in/eS-DTNTj Security HALT! podcast: https://lnkd.in/eEWY6Qcz
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Sunstone Therapies is conducting an outpatient clinical research study evaluating the safety and efficacy of 5-MeO-Dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) for patients with Treatment Resistant Depression who do not respond to traditional and first-line therapeutic options. If you or someone you know is interested in participating, visit https://lnkd.in/eejsbitg; to learn more about the study.
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We're pleased to have been able to contribute to Compass Pathways' study to treat patients with trauma in a meaningful way. Our deepest thanks to all our participants and a salute to the teams at Compass and partner sites for their unwavering commitment to this innovative research. To review the study findings, visit: https://lnkd.in/dqK_kN9h #PTSD #trauma #clinicalresearch #mentalhealth
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Rebecca Ehrenkranz, PhD, MPH, Sunstone's research fellow with Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research , has led an important narrative review on Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD), a new #DSM diagnosis, now published in the International Review of Psychiatry. Could psychedelics be an effective pharmacologic treatment for PGD? Rebecca’s work underscores the need for further research and the potential risks and benefits of psychedelics for treatment of PGD. #ProlongedGriefDisorder #sunstonePATresearch
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This Memorial Day, we reflect on the mental health challenges many Veterans face upon returning home. Psychedelic-assisted therapy shows promise in treating PTSD and depression. Let's honor their service by ensuring our veterans have access to effective treatments. #MemorialDay #SupportOurVets #EndVeteranSuicide
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As we head into Memorial Day Weekend, we pledge to remember and honor by serving those who served. Psychedelic-assisted therapy offers a beacon of hope for veterans struggling with mental health. Join us in supporting research and access. #EndVeteranSuicide #PsychedelicHealing #MemorialDay
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We're pleased to announce that Benjamin Kelmendi MD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University, has authored an insightful new article for The Modern Medicine Group* on Psychology Today. Dr. Kelmendi’s work focuses on psilocybin's potential as studied through neuroimaging and its application in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression. In ‘Psychedelics: Subjectivity in the Therapeutic Response’, Dr. Kelmendi outlines how subjectivity may play a critical role in the psychedelic landscape and development of clinical care. To learn more, read the full article linked below. https://lnkd.in/eu7_YwKx *The Modern Medicine Group is a team of medical experts and therapists brought together by Sunstone Therapies, looking at the delivery of psychedelic-assisted therapy in the medical setting. #PsychedelicResearch #PsychedelicAssistedTherapy #PsychedelicSubjectivity
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