The name ATMA comes from the ancient language of Sanskrit, and means ‘inner essence’ or ‘soul’, referring to the highest principle of life that is within each of us.

Our company name reflects the sacred and personal connection to self that our work facilitates for our clients.

ATMA exists to enable and support each client to explore and connect with their inner self, providing an opportunity to heal, reconnect, undergo transformation and to explore the expansion of their own awareness and consciousness.

ATMA is a love story, built on a passion and commitment to making a difference in people’s lives. We exist because we believe that the current approaches to mental and emotional struggles are simply not enough.

We believe that psychedelics hold the key to actually resolving the root causes of mental health issues that affect so many. This contrasts with traditional pharmaceutical approaches which only suppress and mask the symptoms.

Asset 1

OUR VISION

A world where each individual is empowered to explore, optimize and heal themselves and their community through evidence-based science and the inner intelligence of psychedelics.

Asset 1

OUR MISSION

To deliver effective and innovative healing and transformative experiences that awaken the inner healer and allow a deeper connection with self and with the world.

OUR TEAM

The ATMA Journey Team is comprised of medical professionals, management staff and advocates who believe that psychedelic and non-traditional medicines have an important role to play in the healing and transformation of humankind.

MEDICAL ADVISORY TEAM

Chief Medical Officer

DR. RAVI BAINS
Palliative Care Medical Advisor

DR. LYLE GALLOWAY, MD
Psychotherapy & Integration Advisor

BRUCE SANGUIN, BA, M.Div.. RMFT

Chief Medical Officer

DR. RAVI BAINS

Dr. Bains earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology prior to studying medicine at the University of Manitoba, his home province. He completed a psychiatric residency at Dalhousie University where he went on to complete a fellowship in ISTDP ( Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy). 

Subsequent to graduating in 2006, he has practiced as an inpatient psychiatrist, as well as a psychotherapist. Dr. Bains has gone on to do both inpatient and outpatient work, as well as practice as a psychotherapist. Currently he is also Chief Medical Officer of Wayfound mental health.

Palliative Care Medical Advisor

DR. LYLE GALLOWAY, MD

Dr. Galloway worked in both rural and urban family medicine for a number of years before specializing in Palliative Medicine in 2001. He is past Medical Director of the Intensive Palliative Care Unit at Foothills Hospital in Calgary and currently leads the Pain/Palliative Service at the cancer centre there. During his 11-year term the medical director of the Intensive Palliative Care Unit in Calgary, his actions and leadership inspired an environment of holistic, compassionate care that always honoured patients’ stories. His actions have served as constant reminders that we are not only tasked with looking after patients with end of life medical issues, but that we need to recognize the stories of our patients, and endeavour to contribute to the plot in a meaningful way, however small and humble that contribution may be. Dr. Galloway has completed the Certificate in Psychedelic Assisted Therapies and Research from the California Institute of Integral Studies.

Psychotherapy & Integration Advisor

BRUCE SANGUIN, BA, M.Div.. RMFT

Bruce Sanguin has been a Clinical Fellow with the Canadian Association of Marriage and Family Therapists for 25 years. He currently lives in Victoria, BC where he practices as a psychotherapist.  He is the author of seven books, the latest of which, Dismantled: How Love and Psychedelics Broke a Clergyman Apart and Put Him Back Together, describes his own healing journey using psychedelics in the context of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.  As well as practicing psychotherapy, Bruce is a keynote speaker at psychedelic conferences, with an active interest in the integration of spirituality and psychology.

With a Master’s degree in religious studies and having been both a college professor and international humanitarian relief worker, David has always dedicated himself to the service of others. He brings a deep experience and reverence for psychedelic medicine and believes that it will play a key role in bringing healing to humanity.

MANAGEMENT & ADMIN TEAM

Founder & Co-CEO

DAVID HARDER
Founder & Co-CEO

VU TRAN
VP of Programming

NATALIE HARDER
Intake Coordinator

TABETHA WHITE
Intake Coordinator

KANDICE WIRCH
Intake Coordinator

DEBBIE WHITE

Founder & Co-CEO

DAVID HARDER

David has worked full-time for the past 5 years in researching, advocating and moving the work of non-ordinary state therapy and psychedelic medicine forward in Canada. He co-founded and led Catalyst Presents, a Psychedelic Research Conference, and SYNTAC Institute, a Canadian non-profit dedicated to bringing psychedelic-assisted therapy to Canadians which was successful in achieving one of Canada’s first modern legal exemptions to undertake psychedelic-assisted work. With a Master’s degree in religious studies and having been both a college professor and international humanitarian relief worker, David has always dedicated himself to the service of others. He brings a deep experience and reverence for psychedelic medicine and believes that it will play a key role in bringing healing to humanity.

Founder & Co-CEO

VU TRAN

Vu has over 20 years of experience as a strategic investor and purpose-driven entrepreneur. He has founded, scaled and exited multiple ventures in a variety of markets including real estate, land development, hospitality, entertainment and cannabis. Vu’s deep experience and success in navigating the cannabis industry from it’s early stages helps provide guidance for ATMA in the psychedelic medicine industry. Vu was instrumental in the development of SYNTAC Institute, one of Canada’s leading non-profit organizations in the psychedelic medicine movement. He is deeply involved with and passionate about what psychedelic medicine can bring to Canadians suffering with mental health issues. He is also committed to a full range of modalities and practices that can enhance life, including becoming a certified yoga instructor and relentlessly pursuing growth and development in himself and in others.

VP of Programming

NATALIE HARDER

Natalie has a deep passion for creating spaces for people to feel safe and open for personal transformation.  Her experiences as an on-air radio personality, years as an on-air television journalist producing and directing a weekly show as well as contributing to a daily live program for a national television station, allowed her to witness literally hundreds of peoples individual stories.  In addition to these public roles, she managed multiple television station locations, designed and oversaw studio expansions, managed a program for artists and musicians with an international humanitarian organization, after which she started and ran her own successful company focussed on personal health and wellness for 6 years.  She is thrilled to bring her skill set and experience to ATMA as this fits into the very centre of her passion.

Intake Coordinator

TABETHA WHITE

Tabetha White has 20+ years of experience in the personal and professional development industry which has provided her with a real passion for what pre- and post-integration can make possible for people committed to elevating their health and wellbeing.  Tabetha has worked closely with hundreds of people to support them in living a fulfilled life and this experience coupled with her personal life circumstances, participating in meditation and yoga retreats, facilitating an ontological approach to performance and leadership training for organizations and the healing ceremonies of sacred plants, provides her with a modern approach to integration. Tabetha currently spends her spare time coaching an online global leadership program with over 500 participants and is passionate about supporting people in elevating their health and wellbeing, seeing integration as an integral part fulfilling on that vision.

Intake Coordinator

KANDICE WIRCH

Kandice is a Registered Nurse, Registered Clinical Hypnotherapist and Health Coach; she is passionate about providing education and transformation for those wanting to make changes to their physical, spiritual and emotional health. She is committed to providing support, compassion and safety to her clients as they navigate the path to greater wellbeing. As an experienced nurse and health coach, Kandice has witnessed the value of integration. Personally she has experienced the gift of altered state therapy as she sought to make meaning of loss. She is humbled and blessed to have walked with many on their journey towards health and wellness.

Intake Coordinator

DEBBIE WHITE

Debbie’s passion and connection for plants started at a young age while working with her grandma in her plant business in Calgary.  She discovered plant medicines almost 20 years ago when she experienced how peppermint essential oil brought her daughter’s fever down naturally.  This simple revelation opened a new medicine cabinet, and shortly after, she excitedly joined the team of a holistic health center, expanding her knowledge of alternative healing. In 2010 she backpacked to the jungles of Peru to experience Ayahuasca and discovered firsthand a whole new way that psychedelic plants can help heal the body and work with us. For the last 20+ years, Debbie has worked exclusively with startup and family businesses in diverse industries, expanding on the many pillars any startup requires to grow and thrive.  She was a pioneer in legalizing retail cannabis stores in Canada, specializing in community engagement and licensing. Her twin brother, Tony, was ATMA’s first palliative client to be granted a Section 56 Exemption for psilocybin. After witnessing the difference in his mind, body, and spirit, she became more compelled to advocate for psychedelic medicine.  Shortly after, she joined the ATMA team and compassionately supports others in palliative conditions to receive this same exemption.

Great Human Beings Required.

We’re always looking to add compassionate, experienced and committed people to our team! If you’re interested in learning more about the potential of working with ATMA Journey Centers as we change the world, please visit our Job Openings Page here.

200, 1716 – 16th Avenue NW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Phone: (403) 278-9020

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW!

We'll be releasing some exciting new announcements soon. Be among the first to learn about what's in store, and how you can begin your journey by entering your details below.

Copyright (c) 2020 ATMA Journey Centers Inc. All rights reserved.

Scroll to Top