Preeti Simran Sethi is a queer- and neurodivergent-affirming, trauma-informed integrative therapist and Nova Institute Media Fellow exploring Asian mental health and healing through traditional medicines and modalities.

Preeti has worked with psilocybin and MDMA for severe depression and anxiety, and in 2022, founded the Asian Psychedelic Collective: the first organization dedicated to creating a space of belonging, education, and advocacy for Asians working with psychedelics. She is committed to expanding the dominant narratives around psychedelics: honoring the indigenous lineages that have stewarded earth medicines and inspired synthetic analogues, uplifting explorations into altered states (including meditation and breathwork) and entheogens that are part of Asian culture, and destigmatizing mental health and drug use within Asian communities. These medicines—and the healing, joy, and connection they can engender—are our birthright. 

Preeti was part of the only equity cohort at Fireside Project, providing free and confidential peer support to those actively working with a psychedelic or integrating a past psychedelic experience. As a member of the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team at the American Psychedelic Practitioners Association, she reviewed and supported the first Professional Practice Guidelines for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy. 

Named one of DoubleBlind magazine’s “Influential, Innovative, and Disruptive Women in Psychedelics,” one of the “50 Most Influential Global Indians” by Vogue India, and the “environmental messenger” by Vanity Fair, she has written for outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Geographic, Smithsonian, Guernica, and The Guardian. Preeti was designated one of the top eight women saving the planet by Marie Claire, and is the author of Bread, Wine, Chocolate: The Slow Loss of Foods We Love—named one of the best food books of 2016 by Smithsonian—about the loss of biodiversity in food and agriculture told through bread, wine, chocolate, coffee, and beer. She is the host and creator of The Slow Melt podcast, named Best Food Podcast by Saveur magazine; coauthor of Ethical Markets: Growing the Green Economy, winner of the 2008 Axiom Award for Best Business Ethics Book; and contributor to multiple anthologies. 

Preeti is a former contributor to NPR and KCRW, and was one of the first inductees into Heritage Radio Network’s Hall of Fame. She holds a MSc. in applied positive psychology and coaching psychology from the University of East London, a MBA in sustainable management from the Presidio Graduate School, and graduated cum laude with a BA in sociology and women and gender studies from Smith College. In 2009, Smith College awarded her the Smith College Medal, and, in 2025, an honorary PhD (Doctor of Humane Letters).

Preeti has trained in multiple psychedelic facilitation programs including SoundMind Institute (psilocybin practicum), Integrate Queer Psychedelic Facilitator Training (ketamine practicum), Advanced Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy through ATMA, MDMA training through the UK Psychedelic Society, and microdosing training through the Microdosing Institute. She has taught on the need for culturally-attuned psychedelic support in Integrate and other certification programs. 

Drawing on her extensive background in journalism and academia, service as a birth doula and yoga teacher, and 25+ year practice in Vipassana meditation, she now offers integrative therapy in the Washington DC area (on unceded Piscataway territory) and virtually. Her priority focus is on elders, immigrants and refugees, and people of Asian descent working through life transitions and collective healing. 

Find her resume here.