Advocating for Survivors within the International Psychedelic Science Community

Since 2020, the I THRIVE Initiative has been a leading voice for survivor advocacy in the psychedelic sciences, focusing on safety, accountability, and ethical practices. Key milestones include:
 

Addressing Abuse in Psychedelic Communities
   •    After experiencing assault under the influence of psychedelics in 2020 and uncovering additional cases of abuse, including assaults by Parth Gandhi, PhD, I began advocating for systemic change.
 

Engaging Global Leaders since 2022
   •    Raised these issues with key figures, including:
   •    Reid Robison, MD, and Steve Thayer, PhD (Numinus)
   •    Rick Doblin, PhD, and Annie and Michael Mithoefer, MD (MAPS)
   •    Janis Phelps, PhD (CIIS)
 

Launching a National Whistleblowing Campaign
   •    In July 2022, I THRIVE initiated a nationwide campaign to protect survivors and demand systemic changes in psychedelic sciences, starting in Utah and expanding globally.
 

Ongoing Advocacy and Justice Efforts
   •    Since 2022, we have continued whistleblowing efforts to:
   •    Secure investigations into abuses.
   •    Demand justice for survivors.
   •    Advocate for survivor-centered policies and institutional accountability.

Read on to learn more about our projects and commitment to creating a safer, ethical future in psychedelic-assisted therapies.

Standing for Survivors at the Utah Division of Professional Licensing

2022-2024, the I THRIVE Initiative has been actively collaborating with the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) to advocate for survivor protections, investigate abuses, and improve ethical standards within the field of mental health and psychedelic-assisted therapies. Key actions include:
 

Launching Investigations into Abuses
   •    Initiated an investigation with DOPL into the psychedelic-facilitated sexual assault I experienced in 2020 by Stamatios Dentino, MD.
   •    Recruited by DOPL in October 2022 to assist with their investigation into Parth Gandhi, PhD, following reports of his misconduct.
 

Providing Updates and Insights
   •    Maintained close collaboration with DOPL, regularly offering updates and evidence from our independent investigations to support their efforts in addressing professional misconduct.
 

Advocating for Ethical Training for Utah Providers
   •    Working with DOPL to ensure updated training on professional ethics, with an emphasis on the duty to report.
   •    Highlighted negligence by multiple University of Utah psychiatric faculty members who failed to report Stamatios Dentino and Parth Gandhi’s abuses to the board for up to a year or longer. This failure to uphold ethical standards contributed to preventable tragedies, including repeated sexual assaults and the murder of Parth Gandhi’s son, Om Moses Gandhi.
 

Improving Reporting Mechanisms
   •    Collaborating with DOPL to make reporting protocols for concerning or at-risk providers more transparent.
   •    Advocating for residency programs to include mandatory discussions on reporting mechanisms to ensure future student doctors and resident physicians are fully informed about their ethical responsibilities and avenues for reporting misconduct.

Through this partnership, we aim to strengthen accountability, prevent future harm, and uphold the highest ethical standards for Utah’s mental health and psychedelic therapy communities.

Setting the Standard for Psychiatric Integrity at the American Psychiatric Association Ethics Committee

In 2023-2025, the I THRIVE Initiative has brought critical issues of professional ethics, accountability, and survivor protection to the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Ethics Committee, advocating for higher standards of integrity and ethical conduct within the psychiatric profession. Key actions include:
 

Advocating for Psychiatric Integrity
   •    Raised concerns about ethical violations in the context of psychedelic-assisted therapies and mental health care, focusing on the importance of protecting survivors and holding professionals accountable for misconduct.
 

Highlighting Ethical Breaches in Utah
   •    Presented documented cases of professional negligence, including:
   •    The failure of University of Utah psychiatric faculty members to report misconduct by Stamatios Dentino, MD, and Parth Gandhi, PhD, for extended periods.
   •    The resulting preventable harm, including recurrent sexual assaults and the tragic death of Om Moses Gandhi.
 

Collaborating on Ethical Standards
   •    Working with the APA Ethics Committee to:
   •    Advocate for stronger enforcement of the duty to report unethical or harmful behavior by psychiatric professionals.
   •    Develop and disseminate updated ethical guidelines for psychiatrists practicing in emerging fields such as psychedelic-assisted therapy.
 

Protecting Survivors and Preventing Harm
   •    Emphasizing the role of psychiatric ethics in safeguarding vulnerable populations, ensuring survivors of abuse are protected, supported, and heard.
   •    Advocating for mechanisms to prevent harm, including:
   •    Transparent reporting systems for unethical practices.
   •    Mandatory training in ethical responsibilities and the duty to report for psychiatrists and residents.
 

Setting a Standard for Accountability and Safe Practices
   •    Through these efforts, I THRIVE is working to establish a gold standard of ethical practice for psychiatrists, particularly in innovative and high-risk fields like psychedelic-assisted therapy.
   •    By addressing these issues at the national level, the APA Ethics Committee can set a precedent for protecting survivors and maintaining the integrity of the psychiatric profession.

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These actions not only safeguard survivors but also uphold the core principles of psychiatric ethics—accountability, integrity, and the commitment to “do no harm”—ensuring the field evolves responsibly and ethically.

Demanding Change for University Survivors within the University of Utah Office of Exclusion and Outreach

In 2023, the I THRIVE Initiative partnered with the University of Utah’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Outreach (OEO) to address systemic failures in protecting survivors of misconduct and ethical violations within the university. These efforts aim to reform institutional practices, ensure accountability, and create safer environments for survivors of abuse.

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Key Actions Taken with the OEO

    •    Launching Comprehensive Reports
   •    Submitted detailed documentation on ethical breaches and systemic failures, including:
   •    The university’s delayed response to the sexual assault I experienced in 2020 by Stamatios Dentino, MD.
   •    Failures to report misconduct by Parth Gandhi, PhD, which perpetuated harm within the community.
 

Demanding Investigations into Institutional Negligence
   •    Called for a full investigation into the lack of action by university faculty and administrators who failed to uphold their duty to report professional misconduct to licensing boards and internal ethics committees.
 

Raising Awareness of Retaliation Practices
   •    Reported ongoing retaliation against whistleblowers, including myself, highlighting coercive actions such as cease-and-desist orders and intimidation tactics that silence survivors and advocates.

Key Concerns Addressed in Reports

Delayed Reporting and Ethical Negligence
   •    Documented how university faculty allowed misconduct by university faculty member Stamatios Dentino MD and university affiliate Parth Gandhi PhD to continue for extended periods, resulting in preventable harm, including:
   •    Repeated sexual assaults.
   •    A tragic murder within the community linked to untreated abuse.
   •    Failure to Protect Survivors
   •    Highlighted how inadequate reporting mechanisms and lack of survivor support contributed to ongoing harm and institutional complicity.
 

Systemic Retaliation
   •    Provided evidence of university leadership prioritizing reputation over survivor safety, perpetuating a culture of silence and impunity.

Proposals for Change Submitted to OEO

    •    Mandatory Ethics Training
   •    Recommended training for all faculty and staff on:
   •    The duty to report misconduct and ethical violations.
   •    Trauma-informed practices for supporting survivors.
 

Clear and Transparent Reporting Protocols
   •    Proposed accessible systems for students and staff to report unethical behavior, including:
   •    Online reporting platforms.
   •    Anonymous hotlines.
   •    Advocated for the inclusion of reporting protocols in residency and faculty orientation programs.
 

Enhanced Anti-Retaliation Policies
   •    Called for enforceable measures to protect whistleblowers and survivors from retaliation by colleagues or university leadership.
 

Independent Oversight
   •    Suggested an external review board to monitor and audit the university’s response to ethical complaints, ensuring accountability and compliance with best practices.

Goals for Collaboration with OEO

    •    Foster an institutional culture where survivors feel safe, supported, and empowered to report abuse.
   •    Ensure timely and transparent investigations into ethical violations and professional misconduct.
   •    Set a precedent for accountability, integrity, and ethical leadership within academic institutions.

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By working with the University of Utah’s OEO, I THRIVE seeks to enact meaningful change that protects survivors, demands accountability from professionals, and ensures ethical standards are upheld across all levels of the institution. These efforts aim to create a safer, more inclusive environment for current and future generations of students, staff, and faculty.

Standing for Peace and Safety, Psychedelic Medicine Provider Monitoring and Regulation at the United Nations Human Rights Council

In 2024, the I THRIVE Initiative presented a formal submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), advocating for international standards to ensure ethical practices, safety, and accountability in the rapidly evolving field of psychedelic-assisted therapies. This submission seeks to protect survivors, prevent abuses, and promote a framework for peace, safety, and human rights in psychedelic medicine.

Key Issues Addressed in the UNHRC Submission

Systemic Abuses in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies
   •    Highlighted cases of sexual violence, coercion, and ethical misconduct by practitioners exploiting vulnerable individuals.
   •    Documented institutional failures that allow abuses to persist, including the lack of oversight, ethical accountability, and survivor protections.
 

Global Safety and Ethical Challenges
   •    Addressed the absence of international safety protocols and ethical guidelines for psychedelic medicine providers, which creates a dangerous void where harm is unchecked.
   •    Emphasized the unique vulnerability of patients undergoing psychedelic therapies, particularly those seeking treatment for trauma and mental health conditions.

Proposals for International Regulation

Establishing an International Regulatory Body
   •    Proposed the creation of a global oversight organization to monitor and regulate psychedelic-assisted therapy practices.
   •    Recommended features include:
   •    Universal certification standards for providers.
   •    Independent audits of therapy centers and institutions.
   •    Accessible, confidential reporting systems for survivors.
 

Promoting Ethical Training and Accountability
   •    Called for mandatory trauma-informed care training for all practitioners to prevent harm and ensure ethical treatment.
   •    Advocated for strict ethical guidelines addressing informed consent, boundaries, and client autonomy.
 

Protecting Survivor Rights
   •    Urged the UNHRC to prioritize survivor-centered protections, including:
   •    Accessible support services such as legal aid and trauma counseling.
   •    Policies ensuring survivors can report misconduct without fear of retaliation.

Addressing Broader Human Rights Concerns

Advocating for Safety as a Human Right
   •    Framed the right to safety, dignity, and bodily autonomy within the context of international human rights laws, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
   •    Highlighted how violations in psychedelic-assisted therapies contravene fundamental human rights.
 

Preventing Further Global Harms
   •    Identified the global nature of abuses, including systemic issues in institutions and spiritual communities, underscoring the need for international intervention.

Proposals for Peace and Accountability

Developing Reporting Mechanisms
   •    Advocated for clear, transparent, and secure systems for reporting unethical or abusive practices globally.
 

Raising Awareness Through Education
   •    Proposed global education campaigns to inform the public about the risks and benefits of psychedelic medicine and the ethical responsibilities of practitioners.
 

Fostering Peace through Safe Practices
   •    Stressed the importance of aligning psychedelic medicine with principles of peace, justice, and healing to prevent harm and build trust in the field.

Goals for Collaboration with UNHRC

    •    Establish a global precedent for ethical and safe psychedelic-assisted therapies.
   •    Protect survivors by creating transparent systems for accountability and support.
   •    Promote international standards that uphold human rights, safety, and dignity in the field of psychedelic medicine.

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By engaging with the United Nations Human Rights Council, I THRIVE is advocating for a safer, more ethical future in psychedelic sciences, ensuring that their transformative potential can be realized without compromising the fundamental rights of individuals.