Claudia Cuentas is a Peruvian immigrant, a bilingual and bicultural artist, a license marriage and family therapist, a researcher and an educator, specializing in the intersectionality of art, healing trauma, trauma recovery, cultural identity, indigenous knowledge and decolonization of healing.  She has an MA in Counseling Psychology and is trained in Drama Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, and Trauma Inform Care. She also has extensive studies in Indigenous healing, from her native Aymara and Quechua lineages of South America.

Claudia started her journey as an educator and advocate of art, as a tool for healing and liberation. In becoming a therapist, after her studies at the California Institute of Integral Studies, Claudia focused on serving immigrant communities, families and children. She has worked with undocumented families, refugees, homeless population and women survivors of violence, especially dealing with PTSD. Upon arriving to Portland, Oregon, Claudia joined the team at Conexiones, a Multicultural Center for Trauma Recovery. Claudia has completed parts A and B of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) MDMA Therapy Training Program.  She continues to participate in ongoing training and education on the intersectionality of generational trauma, plant medicine science, eco-informed therapy, nervous system healing and indigenous wisdom.

Claudia also leads workshops in cultural diversity and art as healing, as well as bilingual song circles for the community. She collaborates with organizations as Native American Youth Association, MILPA (Cultivating Change Makers for The Next Seven Generations) and Adelante Mujeres on developing curriculum about trauma recovery and Indigenous ways of healing. Claudia also worked as a consultant with the Ministry of Education in Peru to implement creative pilot programs aimed at preventing violence in the rural schools 2017.

Claudia currently has a private practice in Portland, Oregon. She is committed to continue providing ethical, educational and integrated work to support indigenous, black, brown and immigrant communities recovering from trauma.  Claudia is also a recording musician, a singer songwriter and the founder of the Canta Colibrí Project.

4 years ago Akua found out that her 14 year old son had been groomed into a Countylines drug dealing ring while at school in London. The worry, shame and guilt brought on depression, high blood pressure and a cancer scare. Although the police, and youth and social services were ‘doing their best’ Akua realised that institutional outdated practices were not working and she had to find a different way.

Akua learned about psychedelic medicines, alternative healing modalities and African spirituality. By putting these together she was able to treat her depression. After years of research Akua was able to persuade her son to allow her to administer a therapeutic dose of MDMA and psilocybin magic mushrooms. After 4 years of worry during which her son had been arrested numerous times, been attacked with a baseball bat and spent many weeks hauled up in crack and heroin dens, the nightmare was over. Over one weekend, after taking the medicines the nightmare was over and he was finished ‘with the life’. It’s 2 years since then and her son now lives in Ghana where he is studying.

Today Akua advises on intentions, integration and doing the work revealed by the medicine. She advises parents dealing with the effects of grooming and gang activity.  Akua works full time as designer dressmaker and importer of natural and artisanal products from Ghana. She is currently studying to be a psychedelic medicine guide.

Natasja Pelgrom is a mystic, devoted creative, and visionary whose life’s work is to lead spiritual experiences that support others in their journey of healing and transformational growth. Natasja is the founder of Awaken The Medicine Within Retreats & Online Program. She is a highly intuitive guide and has held training, assisting, and facilitation roles in over 800 psychedelic ceremonies. She has also advised and curated healing programs for other psychedelic wellness companies. Natasja continues to teach empowerment workshops and has developed an online psychedelic integration and self-love program. One of her latest successes is the launch of The Awaken Podcast where she has dedicated her voice to the series “Women in Psychedelics.”