PT 636 - Dr. Ros Watts – Building Communities and Connection

Clinical psychologist Dr. Ros Watts joins Psychedelics Today to share insights from her decade of work with psilocybin therapy and her evolving focus on community-based integration. As the former Clinical Lead for Imperial College London's landmark psilocybin-for-depression trial, Dr. Watts witnessed how psychedelic experiences can foster profound feelings of connection— to self, others, and nature — yet also how that connection can fade without ongoing support. In this conversation, she reflects on what years of research have taught her about connectedness as both a healing mechanism and a human need. She explores how integration work can transform fleeting psychedelic breakthroughs into lasting change, and why community is not just a "nice-to-have," but a core part of psychological and ecological resilience. Dr. Ros Watts also discusses her "Twelve Trees" framework — a nature-inspired model for personal and collective growth that helps participants translate insight into action through values, embodiment, and mutual care. Her current project, ACER Integration (Accept, Connect, Embody, Restore), is a 13-month, co-created journey that guides people in weaving psychedelic insights into everyday life while deepening relationships with self, others, and the living world. Named among the Top 50 Most Influential People in Psychedelics and Top 16 Women Shaping the Future of Psychedelics, Dr. Watts continues to advocate for integration, harm-reduction, and inclusion in the psychedelic space. Together, we explore what sustainable healing really means, how organizations can embody the same principles they teach, and how the psychedelic movement can root itself in care, connection, and community. Learn more about ACER Integration: https://acerintegration.com Find Dr Ros Watt's webpage here. https://www.drrosalindwatts.com/