Asheville Integrative Psychiatry

"I am SO grateful to Tandy, Erika, Crawford, Katie, Sky, Amanda and Dr. Sauls for this beautiful place and the relief I've found. The nature-based application of therapy that they use here, to me, is fundamental in seeing the healing benefits and "magic" behind what they do. The staff are open-minded, loving, compassionate, non-judgemental and fun too."

"Asheville Integrative Psychiatry is unlike any other provider or medical facility I've experienced. They are on the cutting edge of psychiatry with a truly innovative and integrative approach that blends traditional psychiatric modalities with more ancient ones, supplementing their offerings with nature immersion and a genuinely caring team of practitioners. Dr. Sauls is the first doctor I actually look forward to seeing—for both the stunning campus with views of Mt. Pisgah, to the appointments where you actually feel heard, respected, and listened to... an unfortunate rarity in modern medicine. I highly recommend AIP's KAP protocol and integration therapy with Tandy Wells, a therapist for whom I have a tremendous amount of respect. Healing looks differently for everyone and your experience will undoubtably look different from mine, but what I can say is that I found deep and profound healing for PTSD, anxiety, and depression at AIP. Practically, the facilities are beautiful, they have a great EHR/portal that makes communication easy, and they provide superbills for out-of-network care. I also can't speak more highly about the incredible team of nurses, therapists, and support staff who go the extra mile to make sure you feel safe and cared for along your journey. If you've struggled with your mental health and are looking to try something new, I highly recommend Dr. Sauls and Asheville Integrative Psychiatry."

"I have had the good fortune of working with Twyla prior to her joining BetterHelp. I felt a great connection and total trust with her immediately and feel that we have done some of the most important work some long buried trauma together. That's saying a lot, as I have had quite a few years of therapy under my belt."

"I had a wonderful experience attending a community event at AIP. Dr. Sauls and her team were thoughtful and thorough in working with me, and my many questions when I was there. The property is peaceful and beautiful, I'm looking forward to spending more time there."

"I experienced the 1 day ketamine experience known as The Cosmic Hug. I have never done psychedelics and was going through some major life changes that left me feeling unsettled and trying to figure out where to put my energy moving forward. I figured that this might be a good way to “check in” with my mind and body. Something I wasn’t getting in my regular therapy. As advertised, this single day treatment is not intended to offer any cure for mental illness or offer a “fix” for a problem or mental roadblock. My recommendation is to show up with an open mind and to put some real forethought into your expectations before arrival. Communicate your expectations to your practitioner so there is a clear understanding about the process and it’s purpose. I arrived at the “compound” at about 9:30 am. I was warmly greeted by the intake person who took vitals then showed me around the main building so I would know where to get water, snacks, or use the bathroom (they had a bountiful selection of organic snacks with vegan options). I immediately felt at ease. We walked out onto the property where I was greeted by Dr. Sauls, who would be administering my Ketamine injection (there are 2 options for receiving the medicine, orally or IM injection). She greeted me warmly and I immediately felt comfortable and my anxiety began calming. Soon after this meeting I met my Ketamine practitioner who would be my guide for the experience, Erica McClung, a mental health nurse practitioner. I was exactly where I was supposed to be. After being introduced to everyone I took a brief tour of all the different spaces to have my experience and opted for the more rustic and older area called The Shed. After selecting my space we moved on to the nature hike. I found this to be very helpful because we talked about the connection of the body and mind to the earth, and the way being in and moving in nature impacts people. Erica took the time as we sat on a bench overlooking the property from above to ask me about my intentions, expectations and any anxieties I might be having about our session. We discussed the efficacy of Ketamine and psychedelics, and her role in the experience. With a few deep breaths I was up and on my way to my first psychedelic experience. I got settled into The Shed, and was cleansed with Sage and warmed by the smell of cedar burning in the background. I was asked to pull an archetype card from a deck. Dr. Sauls was walking up the steps and took a seat as Erica read my card and we had a short discussion about how that might relate to my experience. I was then given a ginger pill to swallow, a cover for my eyes, and an injection into my arm when I acknowledged I was ready. Upon opening my eyes and coming back into my senses and the space, Erica started discussing what I said during the session so I could process what my mind has been working through while I have been distracted by daily life. This is called the reintegration process. I cannot say enough how helpful and amazing this stage of the experience was. Then I was off for a massage and yoga. The body work and movement practitioner for the last two parts of the experience is Jess Toan. She exudes warmth and kindness. Ending the experience with a massage and private yoga session was the perfect way to round the day out. A couple of days later, I received a call from Dr. Short to make sure everything went ok and asked sincerely for feedback. I actually did provide a minor suggestion for improvement and this was warmly received and appreciated. I also received a check-in from Erica with a synopsis of my experience. She let me know she was available if I needed her as I processed everything in the days ahead. I can’t tell you what the psychedelic experience provided for me, as you will surely find something else. I can tell you that everyone I encountered was helpful, caring, and showed a clear passion for their work. The facility was clean and peaceful and they clearly thought of every creature comfort. You really cannot ask for more from a place of healing."