Mailae Halstead, MS, NCC

Mailae received her undergraduate degree from the University of New Orleans, with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. During this time, she volunteered as a research assistant in the Developmental Cognitive and Affective Psychophysiological Lab (DCAP), which used electroencephalograms (EEG) to study a variety of conditions, such as binge eating behavior, cognitive control in children, and the impact of violence in video games. Her internship was at Bridges Healthcare, a community non-profit clinic in Milford, Connecticut where she provided individual and group therapy in their adult outpatient facility.

Treatment Approach

Mailae believes in nurturing each individual's capacity for insight. Clients can expect an eclectic approach to therapy, balancing both evidenced-based treatment techniques while maintaining a person-centered approach that strengthens the therapeutic relationship. Trained in Functional Analytic Psychotherapy, Mailae is passionate about trauma-informed care that centers cultural humility, empowerment, and liberation models of healing. Her approach includes an awareness of the larger structures and sociopolitical factors that impact mental health and wellness.

Mailae uses exposure-based treatments to address a variety of different conditions. She uses the specialized cognitive behavior therapy, Exposure and Ritual/Response Prevention (ERP) to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, and anxiety disorders, and Prolonged Exposure to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mailae oftentimes works alongside other specialists in conducting exposures and implementing treatment at the New England OCD Institute's Intensive Outpatient Program.

Psychedelic-assisted Psychotherapy

Mailae has also received training in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, as an alternate treatment method for those suffering from depression, PTSD, and anxiety. She received training through the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelics Public Benefit Cooperation (MAPSPBC) using MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD. Mailae is also faculty at the Integrative Psychiatry Institute's Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy training program providing training to prospective students through lecturing, consulting, and co-leading during experiential ketamine weekends. Mailae regularly provides ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of depression, PTSD, and anxiety. She aspires to contribute to a future with equitable and de-stigmatized access to psychedelic healing for all.

Mailae was born in Houma, Louisiana and is a member of the United Houma Nation — a small Native American tribe indigenous to the southern Louisiana swamplands. Although she deeply embraces her creole-native heritage, her namesake is derived from her father's Japanese-Hawaiian background. Mailae’s name originates from the wildflowers often used to make Hawaiian leis, which symbolize peace, friendship, and love.