Marcela Ot’alora is a Psychotherapist, Artist, and Researcher at Memoru, a nonprofit organization focused on psychedelic education, clinical care, training, and research. For over 25 years, she has treated trauma and PTSD using MDMA-assisted therapy. Previously, Marcela was a Principal Investigator and Trainer at MAPS, where she conducted Phase II and III clinical trials for the use of MDMA in treating PTSD.

In this episode…

Healing from trauma isn’t about erasing the past — it’s about changing your relationship with it. How can therapists be present in their clients’ journeys without losing themselves in the process? What anchors practitioners and participants in wisdom and safety?

According to MDMA clinical trial investigator Marcela Ot’alora, healing begins with discovering the part of ourselves that is not traumatized. Rather than trying to eliminate pain, she encourages learning to live alongside it differently. For practitioners, Marcela emphasizes deep self-awareness, integrating one’s own history, and cultivating attunement through embodied presence rather than intellectual analysis. When therapists do their own integration work, they can meet clients with steadiness and authenticity.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes talks with Marcela Ot’alora, Psychotherapist, Artist, and Researcher at Memoru, about healing, attunement, and psychedelic therapy. They explore how MDMA transformed her relationship with trauma, the differences between MDMA and psilocybin experiences, and why integrated presence is essential for ethical, effective practice.