The recent interest in traditional and indigenous healing approaches has provided a number of promising medical benefits for people suffering from mental health conditions. These treatments are also useful for resolving relational problems and facilitating personal growth. Ayahuasca, one of the most respected and ancient traditional plant medicines for mental health, contains the substance DMT and harmaline. Other sacred psychedelic plant medicines include San Pedro and peyote, which contain mescaline, and psilocybin mushrooms. In South America, there are various traditions that use ayahuasca and other sacred plants to address a wide range of problems. These ailments are usually understood holistically — as physical, mental, and spiritual illnesses simultaneously. These three aspects of life are typically intertwined in these traditional healing processes.
The Behavioral Wellness Clinic is now able to make these time-honored traditional medicines available to our clients in collaboration with our expert medical partners at Nina Wasi in Ecuador, South America.
Read more about Dr. Jonathan Flores and his personal journey, at Psychology Today.
Dr. Jonathan Flores is an expert helping people on a journey of healing and self-discovery with ayahuasca and other plant medicines.
Born in the United States, Dr. Jonathan Flores is of Columbian descent and can trace his lineage back to three distinct indigenous groups in Columbia and Ecuador. There are many healers in his family, and he is proud to carry on the healing tradition. Dr. Flores obtained his MD in Ecuador where he is licensed as a General Medical Practitioner. In addition, he has studied a variety of spiritual practices and trained for over 9 years in traditional Amazonian medicine. He uses ayahuasca, San Pedro, psilocybin mushrooms, and a number of other medicinal plants in his practice, depending on the needs of the client. Dr. Flores prides himself on the highest ethical and professional standards of care. To serve many different clients, he is fluent in Spanish and English, and conversant in German.
Dr. Flores' treatment program is 8-15 days long and takes place in the beautiful relaxing beach-front community of Olon, Ecuador. Healthy, fresh, local foods are provided which are designed to maximize the benefits of the program. The treatment program can be done individually, with a partner, or with a group. Ceremonies typically involve ayahuasca, but may utilize San Pedro and/or psilocybin mushrooms, depending on the needs of the client.
Dr. Flores will meet with each patient in advance online to discuss the person's struggles and concerns in order to best understand the issues. If the client has a therapist at the Behavioral Wellness Clinic, Dr. Flores will consult with the therapist as well. Then a holistic treatment plan will be developed for the patient. At that point, Dr. Flores' staff in Ecuador will reach out the client for scheduling and an initial deposit.
Contact the Behavioral Wellness Clinic to plan your healing plant medicine retreat »
Diament, M. , Gomes, B. R., & Tófoli, L. F.. (2021) Ayahuasca and Psychotherapy: Beyond Integration. In B. C. Labate & C. Cavnar (eds.), Ayahuasca healing and science. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-55688-4
Révész, D., Ona, G., Rossi, G. N., Rocha, J. M., dos Santos, R. G., Hallak, J. E. C., Alcázar-Córcoles, M. Á., & Bouso, J. C. (2021). Cross-Sectional Associations Between Lifetime Use of Psychedelic Drugs and Psychometric Measures During the COVID-19 Confinement: A Transcultural Study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 687546–687546.
Uthaug, M., Mason, N., Toennes, S., Reckweg, J., de Sousa Fernandes Perna, E., Kuypers, K., van Oorsouw, Riba, K., & Ramaekers, J. (2021). A placebo-controlled study of the effects of ayahuasca, set and setting on mental health of participants in ayahuasca group retreats. Psychopharmacology, 238(7), 1899–1910.
Peluso, D. (2014). Ayahuasca’s Attractions and Distractions. In (eds.), Ayahuasca Shamanism in the Amazon and Beyond. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199341191.003.0011
Chacruna's Ayahuasca Community Guide for the Awareness of Sexual Abuse. Although most healers operate with high ethical standards, there are many troubling examples of sexual abuse in the Amazon. See this guide by experts at Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines to help inform your choice of healer and stay safe.
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