Signs of Life Advisors
To know truth is wisdom.
To speak truth is courage.
To inspire others to find their truth is leadership.
Dr. Lani Roy
Dr. Sandra Dreisbach
Ethicist and Psychedelic Ethics specialist with a MA, Phd in Philosophy exploring Ethical Decision Making and Moral Psychology.
Sandra is an Ethics Advisor active in Psychedelic Integration, Therapy, Education and Advocacy as well as a Psychedelic facilitator, cofounder of EPIC (Ethical Psychedelic International Community) and DecrimFirst collaborative communities as well as leader of the Santa Cruz Psychedelic Society. Sandra has been teaching Bioethics at University of California, Santa Cruz for the Biomolecular Engineering and Philosophy Departments for past ten years, worked for many years in the tech industry primarily at Apple, and is a Reiki Master in multiple lineages. Sandra focuses on listening and uplifting the voices and values of the Psychedelic Community especially the disenfranchised with the heart space intention of compassion and love.
Melissa Warner
B.Science (Neuroscience), Grad Dip (Psych)
Melissa Warner is an advocate for innovative solutions for mental health and is on a mission to cultivate a holistic understanding of wellbeing. She is the Secretary of Psychedelic Research in Science and Medicine (PRISM), a meditation teacher at Signs of Life Psychology, co-founder of The Australian Psychedelic Society, and is a co-director of the Cyberdelic Society. Melissa seeks to elucidate the potential of psychedelic, meditative, and flow states to enhance human health and flourishing. As a scientist, therapist, futurist and artist, Melissa seeks to elucidate the potential of contemplative practices, altered states, and play to enhance human health and flourishing.
Dr Orit Holtzman
MBBS, PhD & Co-Founder of Leura Wellness
Dr Orit Holtzman (MBBS, PhD) is the co-founder and director of Leura Wellness, and co-founder and president of the Australian and New Zealand College of Cannabinoid Practitioners (ANZCCP). Dr Holtzman is one of Australia’s most experienced cannabinoid medicine practitioners and educators.
She holds a bachelor of science in biology and psychology from the University of Tel Aviv (summa cum laude), a PhD in neuroscience from the University of NSW and an MBBS from the Sydney Medical School at the University of Sydney.
After working in the public hospital system, Dr Holtzman started to explore holistic health solutions and became passionate about utilising medicinal cannabis as a therapeutic agent.
She began prescribing cannabis in 2019 and has since treated over 1,000 patients who have been prescribed medicinal cannabis for various indications under her care.
Dr Holtzman shares her experience and research in cannabinoid medicine in her work as a medical educator, teaching doctors about medicinal cannabis and the endocannabinoid system.
She lives in the beautiful Blue Mountains in NSW with her husband and three children.
Dr Jamie Rickord
MBBS BSc (Hons) FRACGP. MSc (Trauma Informed Psychotherapy)
Dr Jamie is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Ananda Clinics with a passionate focus on patient-first medicine, innovative treatment options, and a sunny Byron Bay lifestyle. Practising in the Northern Rivers since 2012, Dr Jamie has developed his specialty in Integrative Medicine, Trauma Informed Psychotherapy and the therapeutic application of plant-based medicines.
Saj Razvi
Director of Education
Psychedelic Somatic Institute
Saj Razvi is the Director of Education at PSI. He is a former clinical researcher in the MAPS Phase 2 trial of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. He is faculty at Synthesis, taught PTSD studies at the University of Denver, and a PhD course at the University of Copenhagen. He is one of the primary developers of the Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy (PSIP) modality which is a next generation, primary consciousness oriented psychotherapy.
Saj’s primary focus is to train clinicians to provide legal, effective psychedelic treatment in their private practice settings utilizing readily accessible medicines such as cannabis and ketamine. He provides PSI trainings and supervision to students internationally.
Lani is currently apprenticing under Saj Ravi Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy model for cannabis and ketamine assisted psychotherapy.
Dr Jossy Antony
General Adult Psychiatrist
Dr Jossy Antony is a Consultant Psychiatrist. His vision is to provide not just affordable, high quality care incorporating various treatment modalities under one umbrella but also to help you grow through this process. The vision is not to compete with anyone but to be genuine, innovative and true to our values. It’s only then we can truly focus on you.
At present his primary aim is to provide psychiatric assessment and treatment based on a truly holistic an d integrative approach, for a wide range of conditions. This is done through telehealth, face to face and at times home visits. He has a special interest in ADHD and believes he can provide quality assessment and treatment.
Matthew Rowland
Government Relations Advisor for Psychedelic and Mental Health Advocacy
Matthew Rowland is an experienced, enthusiastic and compassionate government relations advisor with a passion for making a positive impact in the field of mental health. With a focus on embracing the latest scientific advancements Matthew has a track record of lobbying for sensible policy changes related to medicinal cannabis, industrial hemp, and now is seeking to pursue policy and legislative advancements for psychedelic-assisted therapies.
He has presented research findings, both qualitative and quantitative, to ministers, executives and has a demonstrated ability to craft persuasive arguments in favour of legislative or regulatory changes. Matthew is dedicated to ensuring that the latest clinical evidence underpins and elucidates policy reformations in the space of psychedelic-assisted therapies and mental health strategies.
Through his work with Signs of Life Psychology, he is committed to contributing to a healthy psychedelic and mental health ecology in Australia and internationally. His goal is to create safe spaces for those who have suffered from mental health challenges, trauma, and sexual abuse, and to provide specialised insights to regulatory bodies, executives and ministers in relation to services that empower and promote healing through policy reform.
Jason Frost
Retired Army Seargeant & Board Member at Pro Patria Centre Australia
Jason is a retired Army Sergeant who Served 16 years in the Australian Army.
After years of sustained impact traumas and increasing medical management, Jason was medically discharged in 2015 with back injuries and diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder, PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Major Depressive Disorder, and chronic pain.
Jason spent years on cocktails pharmaceutical medications, experiencing a range of serious side effects including; seizures, cognitive & neurological decline, impulsive addictions, severe chronic pain, and growing periods of deep suicidal ideation.
Since 2020, Jason has incorporated a combination of support elements and therapies, including; Medicinal Cannabis Therapy, Personalised Nutrition, EMDR and Ketamine Infusion Therapy. This has helped Jason to regain control over his health, begin rehabilitating vital brain and body functions and help others to do the same.
Today Jason advocates for breakthrough treatments supporting recovery from PTSD, TBI, drug, polypharmacy, gambling and sex addictions. Jason is the President of Defence Shed Wagga and sits on the board of the Pro Patria Centre, Waggas first integrated community medical centre, bringing novel treatment options to veterans, first responders, families and the wider community.
Badem Hicks
Lived Experience Advisor
Baden Hicks is a Senior Lived and Living Experience Peer Support Worker at Turning Point in Richmond and works in the Pharmacotherapy Team as well as supervising the other Peer Workers, he also works in research and advocacy. He has a certificate IV in AOD, is a SMART Recovery facilitator, an overdose prevention trainer and works for Harm Reduction Victoria.
Michael Raymond
Lived Experience Advisor
Michael Raymond, a retired Australian Airforce Engineering Officer with 16 years of service, has been a prominent advocate of psychedelic plant medicines for veterans over the last four years.
His journey in the Airforce included roles as a fast jet Avionics Technician on F/A18F Super Hornets & F-111s, working with Special Operations and other high-security roles. His pursuit of knowledge led him to acquire a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), culminating in his commission as an officer.
Following the emergence of his mental health challenges post-retirement from service, Michael embarked on a transformative healing odyssey to South America, where he immersed himself in the wisdom of traditional plant medicines. Here, he harnessed the healing potential of psychedelic plant medicines—a pivotal experience that not only likely saved his life but also profoundly altered the trajectory of his journey.
Michael’s advocacy journey began in 2019 with the publication of his story, a narrative that later unfolded into engaging conversations at both local and international forums.
Notably, he serves as an Ambassador for the Neuromedicines Discovery Centre at Monash University. Presently, Michael is at the helm of Heroic Hearts Project Australia, assuming the roles of Co-Founder & CEO. In this capacity, he pioneers plant medicine programs and research uniquely crafted for veterans and first responders, seamlessly incorporating the transformative power of ayahuasca and psilocybin.
Celia Robers
Yoga and Meditation at AMAPP
Celia Roberts, BSc, has a long-term interest in merging the science and spirituality of Yoga, Meditation, and Lifestyle Medicine. With deep dedication to the field of mental health and the prevention of suicide, Celia has sought natural and novel ways based on the ancient traditions of Yoga and Buddhism to treat the mind and body through the emerging field of biopsychosocial medicine.
Celia is the Founder and Director of BIYOME – The BioMedical Institute of Yoga & Meditation and has taught and trained thousands of teachers to the highest educational standards over the last decade. Her practice is innovative and explanatory, exploring alongside her students the intricate study of yoga, including how to use the ancient Vedic sciences to explore the deeper aspects of consciousness in an evidence-informed way.
Throughout her journey as a Senior yoga and meditation teacher and yoga therapist, Celia Roberts has traveled and taught worldwide. Celia runs an online institute and has offered face-to-face training at a retreat center property in Brookfield, Brisbane, for over a decade. It’s a breathtaking and stunning location in Australia to undertake training.
BIYOME’s works with Dr Lani Roy and Melissa Warner creating educational programs fused with science and contemplative wisdom via the Certificate of Psychedelics and Contemplative Therapies Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Teacher Training Courses – The BioMedical Institute of Yoga & Meditation (biyome.com.au)
Our Values
To explore the frontiers of medicine and self
To embody safety, truth and a strong moral compass
To engage with the science and the sacred
To connect, heal and grow together