Preeti Simran Sethi is a queer- and neurodivergent-affirming, trauma-informed integrative therapist and a fellow at the Nova Institute for Health writing and reporting on Asian mental health and healing.

Preeti has worked with psychedelics 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.

Her work is rooted in lineage. She seeks to expand the dominant narratives around psychedelics: honoring the Indigenous lineages that have stewarded earth medicines and inspired synthetic analogues, and uplifting explorations into altered states (including meditation and breath regulation) and entheogens that are part of Asian culture. These medicines and practices—and the healing, joy, and connection they can engender—are our birthright. Preeti was part of the only equity cohort at Fireside Project. In 2022, she was cited as by DoubleBlind magazine as one of the “Influential, Innovative, and Disruptive Women in Psychedelics.” 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 one of the “50 Most Influential Global Indians” by Vogue India and the “environmental messenger” by Vanity Fair, Preeti has written for outlets including The New York Times, WIRED, National Geographic, Smithsonian, Guernica, and The Guardian. She 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 Axiom Award for Best Business Ethics Book; and contributor to multiple anthologies. She is a former contributor to NPR and KCRW, and was one of the first inductees into Heritage Radio Network’s Hall of Fame.

Preeti 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). She has trained in trauma-informed care through Harvard Medical School, birth and end-of life support through DONA and INELDA, and psychedelic-assisted therapy through multiple psychedelic facilitation programs. She has lectured widely on the need for culturally-attuned psychedelic support in psychedelic practitioner trainings. 

Drawing on her extensive training, background in journalism and academia, service as a birth doula and yoga teacher, and 25+ year practice in Vipassana meditation, Preeti offers integrative therapy in the Washington DC area (on unceded Piscataway territory) and through telehealth. She is committed to holistic well-being and whole person healing, and her priority focus is on elders, immigrants and refugees, and people of Asian descent.