– Our Philosophy

SABI Roots

We draw inspiration from a traditional Japanese philosophy that appreciates impermanence and the beauty of imperfection. We understand the changes and wear that occur over time add to the intrinsic value of an object.

At SABI, we support the careful and necessary mending of pain and mental health, empowering individuals to find wholeness in the wisdom of acceptance and restoration.

 
 

Meet the team behind SABI.

Our team came together out of a need for change, the promise of hope, and the acknowledgment that we can make it happen together. At its core, the SABI Mind experience relies on human connection and a return to the natural mind.

Leadership Team

  • President

    Philippe Lucas Ph.D. is an experienced researcher examining the therapeutic potential of cannabis and psychedelics in the treatment of pain, trauma and addiction. Philippe was the Founder and Executive Director of the Vancouver Island Compassion Society, one of Canada’s first medical cannabis dispensaries, and a founding Board member of the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies Canada. More recently Philippe worked as VP, Global Patient Research & Access at Tilray where he oversaw a comprehensive international clinical and observational cannabis research program.

    Philippe has received a number of accolades for his work and research, including the Americans for Safe Access Researcher of the Year Award 2021, the Cannabis Council of Canada Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

  • Founder & Managing Director

    Heesoo Cho is co-founder of SABI Mind, a psychedelic-assisted therapy clinic group based in Calgary AB. In seeing the devastating impact of serious mental health challenges on friends and family, Heesoo put his energy and expertise towards opening up safe access to psychedelic treatment, with a focus on ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. As Managing Director of SABI Mind, Heesoo is responsible for ensuring that SABI clinics provide best-in-class patient care in the treatment of chronic mental health and pain.

  • Founder & CEO

    Sean is a proven entrepreneur having been an owner and board member for several organizations over his extensive career and is instrumental in Sabi Mind’s growth initiatives. With over 20 years of real estate development, project management and finance experience, he understands what is required to manage and operate complex ventures. He has led projects ranging from $1 million to $250 million with demonstrated success in multiple industries. Sean’s passion outside of the workplace focuses on building better communities with his involvement in several charitable initiatives, with a focused involvement in mental health initiatives.

Operational Team

  • Experience Specialist

    Sara’s fascination with psychedelics stretches back over 20 years. She is especially interested in the relationship between psychedelics, language, and the nature of consciousness. After completing her BA in Philosophy, Sara’s strong commitment to the principles of harm reduction and drug policy reform led her to pursue her Master of Public Policy at the University of Calgary. Bringing over 15 years of experience in the hospitality and service industry, Sara has a strong reputation for delivering exceptional experiences at some of Calgary’s premiere fine-dining establishments. Sara combines her deep knowledge of psychedelics with her meticulous approach to client service to deliver high-quality experiences for patients at Sabi Mind.

  • Lead Nurse

    Graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 2006 with a BScN. Work experience includes General Surgery, Emergency, Addiction and Mental Health Consultation Service, and Opioid Dependency Program.

    “The work at SABI excites me because although we have made progress in the understanding and treatment of mental health disorders and chronic pain; not everyone has found relief. Ketamine therapy is helping to reach these individuals”

  • Medical Office Administrator

    "I've always had a passion and interest in the mental health field as it's very near and dear to me. I wanted to do something where I know that I'm helping someone to lead a better life, one that is healthy and mindful. It's rewarding being able to be a part of helping someone to better manage their condition in order to improve and live a healthier life and with psychedelic medicine gaining mainstream acceptance and forging ahead as a promising new treatment medicine, it fascinates and excites me to be able to be a part of it. "

Clinical Team

  • Medical Director

    Born and raised in Calgary, Dr. Pearce is an anesthesiologist, clinical researcher, and Medical Cannabis consultant. He completed his medical degree and residency in Anesthesia at the University of Calgary, shortly after completing a Ph.D. in Neurophysiology and Pharmacology.

    Dr. Pearce is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine at the University of Calgary. Over the past decade, he has held numerous administrative positions as both Section and Department Head and currently practices with Alberta Health Services (AHS) at the Peter Lougheed Centre and in various specialty clinics in Calgary. He is presently serving as the President of the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) section of Anesthesia.

    Dr. Pearce’s clinical and research interests include applications in ambulatory anesthesia, and understanding the roles of Medical Cannabis, Ketamine and Psychedelics in the management of mental health disorders and acute and complex chronic pain conditions.

  • Chronic Pain Lead & Anesthesiologist

    After completing her medical school training at the University of Alberta, Dr. Kelly Shinkaruk attended the University of Ottawa for anesthesia training followed by a chronic pain fellowship focusing on interventional management of cancer and non-cancer pain. It was there that she developed a deep interest in the diverse approaches to pain management including the use of ketamine and pain psychotherapy. This led her to pursue a clinical career dividing her time between chronic pain management and anesthesiology. As a Clinical Associate Professor, she has worked at both the Foothills Medical Center and the Rockyview General Hospital.

    In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Shinkaruk has completed a Master's degree with a focus on medical education and has been the program director for the pain medicine residency since its inception in 2015. Her research interests include interprofessional collaborative care and education and she sits on the Committee for Interprofessional Collaboration and Education through the University of Calgary.

  • Mental Health Lead & Psychiatrist

    Dr. Lauren Zanussi was born in Houston, Texas but has lived in Calgary almost all of his life. He is a graduate of the University of Calgary and has degrees in Biochemistry and Medicine. He went on to be trained in Psychiatry and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, where he focussed on Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry.

    He is an Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary where he has chaired courses in Psychiatry and Medical Skills. He has received awards for his work in education at the local, provincial and national level, including honours for innovation and mentorship. He has special expertise in communication skills training and has shared his knowledge with other departments to help train their residents as communicators.

    As a psychiatrist, he has received training in psychiatric complications of medical conditions. He has worked with the Canadian Mental Health Commission and the University of Calgary in reducing stigma of mental health in the public and amongst medical practitioners. As a member of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Calgary, he has presided in the offices of Medical Director of ER services, Section Chief for Inpatients and Consultation-Liaison psychiatry, and as Site Chief of the FMC.

    He has a full and active clinical practice where he works on the inpatient units of the FMC and with the outpatients of the Southern Alberta Transplant Program. He has worked with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta to create educational programs for it’s members and is an examiner for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is an active educator and is an Assistant Professor at the Cummings School of Medicine and is the Chair of the Psychiatric Test Committee at the Medical Counsel of Canada.

  • Registered Psychologist

    Jodey Sharman is an experienced psychologist who likes to say, “my clients get better”, whatever getting better might mean to them. She believes in partnering with clients in a healing relationship where client and therapist both bring important wisdom and perspective to change focussed work. Jodey originally trained as an Occupational Therapist and went to graduate school at City University later in life to become a psychologist. She has developed and worked in a wide variety of treatment programs for adults and seniors in public and private health care. She feels privileged to join SABI Mind to bring her skills in trauma therapy and spiritual emergence, and her love of the creativity and magic of healing, together in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Accelerated Resolution Therapy is one therapy tool that brings the magic and Jodey is providing this at SABIMIND to help clients resolve distressing symptoms and assist in preparation and integration.

  • Clinical Psychologist

    Dr. Jessica McLachlan is a Registered Psychologist. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Calgary. She has gained over a decade of experience in correctional institutions, primary care settings, a concurrent disorder program, and private practice.

    Dr. McLachlan has completed extensive training with Dr. Andrew Tatarsky and is certified in Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (IHRP). She is credentialed through the Canadian Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CACBT) and a member of the College of Alberta Psychologists and the Canadian Psychological Association. Currently, Dr. McLachlan is completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Psychedelic Integration through Fluence, a program focused on professional education in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and integration.

    Dr. McLachlan is passionate about harm reduction and her approach to substance misuse and psychedelic integration is guided by these principles. She has extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and a keen interest in mindfulness-based interventions. She provides individualized, evidence-based, and collaborative care. Her style is non-judgmental, respectful, and supportive; she understands and values the importance of developing a strong therapeutic relationship.

  • Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist

    Braden (he/him) is a masters-prepared social worker who has seven years of experience working with youth, families, and adults in residential treatment, community-based family work, harm reduction, and in private practice. Some of his areas of focus include supporting individuals experiencing depression and anxiety, developmental trauma, PTSD, family conflict, substance use issues from a harm reductionist and participant-focused lens, and social justice and action. He completed his graduate studies at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash School of Social Work. He utilizes an integrative approach to psychotherapy and has completed training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and is currently training at the Intermediate level of Somatic Experiencing™, a body-oriented approach to trauma resolution.

    Braden's approach to therapy is rooted in a strengths-based, anti-oppressive, and holistic approach to healing. He is especially interested in supporting mind-body healing and integration through somatic therapies, mindfulness, and working in non-ordinary states of consciousness. His interest in using psychedelics for healing began at a young age. Growing up in Saskatchewan–a major center of psychedelic research in the mid-20th century–he long maintained an interest in contributing to the revival of legal and safe psychedelic use, and is a longtime activist in supporting causes related to cognitive liberty and the rights of people who use drugs. He works collaboratively to remove obstacles to a person's innate healing potential, and believes that therapy should harness an individual's ability to create independence within a person, rather than ongoing reliance on a therapist. Braden believes that psychedelics are a tool for inspiring movement beyond symptom reduction and toward improved well-being and living a preferred life.

 

Our Mission

We are committed to providing solutions that address the needs of people struggling to find healing within the current pain and mental health treatment system by developing evidence-based, safe, and accessible psychedelic-assisted therapies.