Dr. Dana Lerman, Co-Founder of Starlight Clinical Research, is a distinguished medical professional whose journey in medicine and personal experiences have uniquely positioned her for a pivotal role in the field of psychedelic medicine and clinical trial investigation. She received her medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and completed her Internal Medicine residency at The Mount Sinai Hospital, followed by a fellowship in Infectious Disease at The Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Board certified in both Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, Dr. Lerman has dedicated over a decade to working as an infectious disease consultant across the United States. Her extensive medical background provides a solid foundation for her involvement in diverse clinical research studies. Her expertise is particularly invaluable in the realm of psychedelic medicine, where her holistic and informed approach to patient care comes to the forefront.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Lerman founded The COVID Consultants, a national consulting and testing firm, showcasing her ability to lead and innovate in times of medical crisis. This period also marked a significant turning point in her career and personal life, as she embarked on her own mental wellness journey. This transformative experience has since redirected her passions towards the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Further underscoring her commitment to this new focus, Dr. Lerman has received training and certification in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy from the Integrative Psychiatry Institute (IPI) in Boulder, Colorado, and completed MAPS training through IPI. Her education has been supplemented with additional training in trauma through PESI, Internal Family Systems via the IFS Institute, and Ecotherapy with the Earth Body Institute.

Currently treating patients at the Skylight Journey Center in Evergreen, CO, Dr. Lerman’s unique combination of medical expertise, personal growth, and specialized training in psychedelic medicine positions her as a key figure in clinical trial investigation. Her board certifications in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, combined with her newfound focus on psychedelic medicine, make her an invaluable asset to the field, poised to contribute significantly to the advancement of mental health treatments and beyond.

Dr. Susan Frederick, a distinguished professional holding Board Certification in both Adult Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, exemplifies a commitment to mental health excellence. Her expertise is further enhanced by her certification in Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychoanalysis.

An alumna and current Teaching Assistant at the esteemed IPI Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Program, Dr. Frederick brings a unique and advanced skill set to her practice. In her comprehensive therapeutic approach, she engages with individuals, families, and couples, addressing a broad spectrum of mental health challenges.

Her areas of specialization include depression, bipolar mood disorder, anxiety disorders, navigating life transitions, coping with divorce and grief, as well as managing ADD/ADHD and behavioral issues. Dr. Frederick’s integrative and empathetic methodology underlines her dedication to delivering outstanding mental health care.

Briana Spires graduated with a Masters Degree from The University of Oklahoma’s Physician Assistant program in 2013, after studying Psychology at Oklahoma State University. She was a PA for 8 years when she began to wonder what drew her away from her interest in psychology. Around this time, she witnessed her mother lose a long battle with traditional treatments for anxiety and depression. Psychedelic medicine found Briana after these events, and it was here she found her true path to help others.

Briana completed a Psycho-Spiritual Integration certificate along with a Nutrition for Mental Health course from Being True to You. She subsequently enrolled in Naropa University’s Psychedelic Assisted Therapies Graduate Certificate program. Included in Naropa’s program was also training from the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) in MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy. Briana continually deepens her knowledge via training courses and conferences year-round.

Briana believes daily life should contribute to wellness – valuing health, nutrition and lifestyle. Influential figures to her studies and awakening are Ram Dass, Carl Jung, Alan Watts, Clarissa Pinkola Estes and her book Women Who Run with the Wolves. Briana incorporates symbolism, synchronicities, and spiritual beliefs into her work, along with the medical training and experience from 9 years as a Physician Assistant.

Kate Reaney earned her Physician Assistant and Master of Science in Health Sciences from the George Washington University in Washington DC. She received an MBA in Healthcare Management & Administration from Regis University in Denver. Prior to that, she earned her undergraduate degree in Physical Education & Exercise Physiology.

More recently, Kate completed a certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy from Naropa University in Boulder, CO. In conjunction with this certificate, she completed MAPS MDMA-Assisted Therapy training with MAPS PBC and completed a Ketamine Apprenticeship.

Kate’s past work history include many years working in an operating room as a surgical physician assistant in the subspecialty of Orthopedic surgery. She has also worked as an Emergency Physician Assistant at a Level 1 Trauma Center (highest acuity) in Denver & has worked in high altitude medicine. Kate has worked in the field of management and clinical research. As a student she worked as a research assistant. Kate has a long history in the field of addiction recovery and 12 step circles.

Some of Kate’s therapy-related trainings include:

• Compassionate Inquiry training with Dr. Gabor Mate
• Comprehensive Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy course with Dr. Richard Schwartz
• 4-month Mentorship with an experienced Psychedelic guide which involved 3-hour weekly contact for the 4-month period
• Bridging Science & Spiritual Healing with Indigenous Roots in the Psychedelic Renaissance with Dr. Joe Tafur (through the Shift Network)
• Polyvagal Theory – Befriending your Nervous System with Deb Dana, LCSW (through Sounds True)
• Bessel van der Kolk Trauma Series with Dr. Richard Schwartz, PhD (Founder & Developer of IFS)
• Embodying Secure Attachment course with Deidre Fay, &
• The Restorative Grace of Ego course with Miranda Macpherson (Rev)

Kate’s passion & dedication is to bring true authentic healing, spiritual restoration and freedom to those struggling from the effects of childhood trauma, addiction, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Kate has lived experience that full healing and release is available, and she is dedicated to bringing that about & helping people access that realization.

David Canter, a Co-Founder of Starlight Clinical Research, brings a rich blend of academic achievement and practical experience to the forefront of clinical research. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from Elon University, North Carolina, demonstrating his early commitment to understanding complex environmental systems. Further enhancing his expertise, David completed a Sustainability Leadership and Implementation Certificate at the University of Denver’s School of Business.

Continuing his educational journey, David recently concluded the Psychedelics and the Mind online course with the University of Berkeley’s BerkeleyX. This study reflects his deep-seated interest in exploring the intricacies of the human mind, a passion that aligns seamlessly with his professional endeavors.

With a robust background in healthcare administration and research spanning both environmental and pharmaceutical domains, David has cultivated a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of clinical research. His proficiency in site-level clinical research administration and study-level coordination is a testament to his ability to effectively manage and contribute to cutting-edge research initiatives.

David’s combined expertise in environmental studies, sustainability leadership, and psychedelic research uniquely positions him to make significant contributions to the evolving field of psychedelic clinical research at Starlight Clinical Research.