Our Story

Jem Stone is an Australian First Nations woman from the Bundjalung Nation, cultural consultant, and trauma-informed therapist working at the intersection of Indigenous wisdom, earth connection, trauma recovery, and psychedelic-assisted care.

She is the Co-Founder and Director of Indigenous Psychedelic Assisted Therapies (IPAT), where she co-designed the culturally responsive IPAT model of care for psychedelic-assisted therapy, and has contributed to the Australian MDMA guidelines and the TGA’s authorised prescriber scheme guidelines to advocate for inclusive and culturally responsive frameworks in Australia.

Trained in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, Rebirthing Breathwork, Wayapa Wuurrk, and We Al-li culturally informed, trauma-integrated facilitation, she works with clients both one-on-one and in group settings, with a specialisation in group facilitation, and is dedicated to creating culturally grounded, safer, and transformative therapeutic spaces.

Jem is a published writer, researcher, international speaker, and presenter, and a devoted community member, mother, and grandmother who walks gently in reverence as an Earth custodian.

Bianca is a Clinical Psychologist based in Gold Coast, Australia with a special interest in complex trauma, dissociative disorders including Dissociative Identity Disorder, and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Bianca has worked across various contexts, including hospitals, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services and private practice.

Her interest in plant medicine began when she was in Mexico undertaking her PhD in Indigenous Psychology, where she became interested in traditional methods of healing, including plant medicines, and the need to facilitate access to traditional methods of healing to make western medical systems more culturally safe and accessible. Bianca’s approach to wellbeing is holistic, incorporating body, mind, spirit, community, and environment.

Bianca provides integration support to people who have had experiences with non-ordinary states of consciousness. She enjoys supervising and training therapists in working with clients with post psychedelic difficulties. She also has an interest in 5 MeO DMT and is a lecturer on the FIVE 5 MeO Information and Vital Education platform.

Associate Professor Dr Carlie (Caroline) Atkinson is a proud Bundjalung and Yiman woman and an accredited Social Worker with a PhD from Charles Darwin University, 2009. Carlie is an international leader in complex and intergenerational trauma and strengths-based healing approaches in Indigenous Australia. Her work has centred on the interplay between trauma, violence and healing in Aboriginal communities, alongside extensive community and practice-based experience through collaborative, co-designed resource development. She developed Australia’s first adapted, culturally sensitive, reliable and valid Aboriginal trauma assessment measure.

Carlie is the CEO of  We Al-li, where she designs and leads the delivery of Culturally Informed Trauma Integrated Healing Approaches (CITIHA), supporting organisations and communities across Australia and the Pacific in systems transformation and implementation. She is also a founding team member of Sacred Roots, contributing to the development of culturally grounded, relational healing spaces within psychedelic-assisted therapies ensuring they are grounded in culturally informed frameworks.

An Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne, Carlie is a Chief Investigator on multiple major national research grants (MRFF, NHMRC and ARC), including the HEART Trial, which is investigating climate-related PTSD including the use of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. She is regularly invited to contribute to national policy and high-level advisory work across government and non-government sectors.

Carlie is also the founder of the Northern Rivers Community Healing Hub, an Indigenous-led, place-based healing response established following the 2022 catastrophic floods, which continues to support community-led recovery and resilience.

Dr. Simon Ruffell is trained across three modalities: Western medicine (as a medical doctor specializing in psychiatry), research psychology (with a PhD in Amazonian ayahuasca and mental health), and traditional plant medicine (as a student of Shipibo curanderismo). He is the founder of Onaya Science, a nonprofit researching the effects of ayahuasca in naturalistic Amazonian settings, and the CEO of Onaya, which offers education and training rooted in Indigenous knowledge and scientific approaches. Together, these projects collaborate with traditional healers, Indigenous-led think tanks, universities, and charities worldwide.

Simon is also a Lecturer in Psychology and Psychedelics at the University of Exeter and the Chief Medical Officer of the Center for MINDS (Multidisciplinary Investigation into Novel Discoveries & Solutions), a nonprofit exploring the role of psychedelics and consciousness practices in addressing humanity’s greatest challenges. His work centres on understanding plant medicines like ayahuasca from both Indigenous and Western perspectives, supporting a more integrative and relational approach to healing.

Melody Popple is a Bundjalung researcher, artist and facilitator working across Indigenous knowledges, creative practice, wellbeing and relational approaches with community and Country. She is an Aboriginal Associate Research Fellow in children and family psychology, focused on embedding Indigenous knowledges and culturally responsive approaches in research and practice.

Alongside her academic work, Melody holds leadership roles across community-based organisations. She is a Program Manager for an Indigenous-owned charity delivering cultural camps, women’s events, youth programs and Indigenous mother-centred care on Bundjalung Country, and volunteers as a Coordinator for an organic food co-operative.

Trained in We Al-li culturally informed trauma-integrated facilitation, art therapy, Wayapa Wuurrk and yoga teaching, Melody brings creative, embodied and culturally grounded approaches to wellbeing, connection and relational repair. She is also completing a PhD exploring Indigenous relational philosophies through arts-led research with waterways on Bundjalung Country.

With over five years’ experience on governing bodies and training in governance, Melody brings both community and research experience to the IPAT Board of Directors. Across her work, she is committed to Indigenous-led practice, relational accountability, cultural strength and meaningful relationships between people, place and practice.