Background

Steven participated in the 2015 FDA Psilocybin Study at UW-Madison, gaining firsthand insights into the strengths and limitations of the prevailing non-directive model in global psychedelic therapy. Motivated by this experience, he co-founded OmTerra and the Psychedelic Somatic Institute (PSI) to enhance the potential of psychedelic medicines through a somatic focus.

Steven's expertise extends beyond therapy; he is a qualified grassroots organizer and adept networker. He excels in creating a container of professionalism, integrity, safety, and trust, swiftly building communities.

Passionate and driven, Steven's commitment to the advancement of psychedelic therapy stems from his heartfelt dedication to alleviating suffering. His extensive background in psychedelic advocacy, education, and therapy uniquely positions him to contribute significantly to this transformative field.

Consulting for Psychedelics-focused companies

The increasing interest in psychedelic therapy is undeniable, offering significant benefits for mental health struggles. With evolving laws and growing acceptance, starting a psychedelic therapy business is a promising opportunity.

At OmTerra, we guide individuals and businesses in launching a successful psychedelic therapy company. Our experienced team prioritizes client well-being, providing comprehensive services such as legal evaluations, substance selection, and treatment protocol establishment.

Our consulting covers legal and regulatory landscapes, ethical considerations, facility design, staffing, risk management, and more. We collaborate closely to develop a customized business plan, offering financial modeling, market research, and ongoing support for navigating industry complexities.

Believing in the transformative potential of psychedelic therapy, we are committed to accessible benefits and ethical practices. If you're considering starting a psychedelic therapy company, contact us for dedicated support in this dynamic and growing industry.

I have been a friend and colleague of Steve Elfrink ever since I met him in 2010 over 14years ago. His résumé well summarizes his experience in marketing, education, and organizing conferences in the psychedelic space. He has also worked with various therapists in developing and conducting psychedelic therapeutic protocols.

Dennis McKenna

  

President & Principal Founder | McKenna Academy of Natural Philosophy | Ethnobotanist

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at

My time with Steve blends professional, family, friendship, and personal growth. Despite my initial resistance to psychedelic healing, Steve's gentle and persistent approach transformed my perspective. His organized conferences on psychedelics in Viroqua, WI, were impactful and life-changing. I trust Steve to introduce others to this profound healing path with openness and experience.

Dr. Paul Grenier

  

Colleague

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at

Steve is the kind of guy who will make a multimedia presentation in front of a stacked house look like a piece of cake and then the very next minute will drop in with you, one on one, with such a strength of presence, attunement and kindness.

Denise Semanchin

  

Colleague

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Relationship Coach

at

What I also always appreciated about Steve is his ability to fully show up as a kind, caring and compassionate man. His heart and soul are in this work.

Alexandre Tannous

  

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Ethnomusicologist, Sound Therapist & Sound Researcher

at

Resume

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OmTerra
Co-Founder & Psychedelic Somatic Therapist
August 2021 – Present, Grants Pass, OR

A premiere psychedelic therapy company that is currently focused on psychedelic therapy with cannabis and ketamine using a somatic approach.

OmTerra is focused on providing psychedelic therapy services working with cannabis and ketamine. Currently working with clients providing a combination of IFS/parts work along with Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Therapy. In one of the first cohorts in Oregon to be trained as a psilocybin facilitator.

Responsibilities

  • Online advertising
  • Networking
  • Marketing communications
  • Community Outreach
  • Public speaking
Psychedelic Somatic Institute (PSI)
Co-Founder, Director of Community Outreach & TA
Feb 2019 – August 2021, Denver, CO

A training organization focused on training therapists in a model of therapy called Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy Director of Community Outreach for PSI along with being a teaching assistant. Responsible for all aspects of enrollment for therapists in the PSI training program.

Responsibilities

  • Community Outreach
  • Co-Author of peer reviewed abstract on psychedelic therapy (published in the Journal of Psychedelic Psychiatry)
  • Online advertising
  • Marketing communications
  • Host and presenter for monthly webinar
Webdelics
Subject Matter Expert
2023 - Present, San Clemente, CA

Webdelics is a platform devoted to educating people about psychedelics:their benefits, considerations, and many applications.

Utilizing 45 years of experience working with and advocating for psychedelic medicines to provide Webdelics with guidance, wisdom and knowledge of psychedelics.

Responsibilities

  • Weekly article submission
  • Networking
  • Content direction
  • Podcasts
  • Ongoing current trends research
Corporate Experience
Director of Sales and Marketing
April 2019 - October 2020, San Diego, CA

Working for companies in the healthcare and ophthalmology industry – focused on eye disease detection, diagnostic instruments, and surgical procedures – Steve's career spans several decades and includes positions such as:

  • Director of Sales and Marketing
  • Western Regional Sales Manager
  • Vice President of Sales and Marketing
  • Market Manager
  • Director of Business Development

Throughout his career, he has excelled in building relationships with key opinion leaders, developing effective sales and marketing strategies, and managing clinical studies and product launches.

His expertise was focused on the promotion of innovative medical technologies and diagnostic solutions, contributing to market share growth and increased awareness in the healthcare sector. This included being part of a small marketing team that launched the surgical procedure to correct vision, called LASIK.

Guardion Health Sciences
Director of Sales and Marketing
April 2019 - October 2020, San Diego, CA

Guardion Health Sciences is at the forefront of early detection, intervention and monitoring of numerous eye diseases. The company combines targeted ocular nutrition with innovative, evidence-based diagnostic technology.

Responsible for all day-today activities to smoothly run the sales and marketing department. This included article placement in trade journals, ad creation, conference scheduling, hosting informational webinars.

Responsibilities

  • Created Practice Development Program and brought on 7 new employees
  • Created Key Opinion Leader Program and managed speaker’s bureau
  • Worked with key researchers on studies
  • Provided presentations to teaching institution
Reichert Technologies, Inc.
Western Regional Account Manager
Jan. 2017 – Present, Depew, NY

A global leader in the design and manufacture of high-quality diagnostic instruments and equipment for ophthalmologists and optometrists.

Served an integral role in the promotion and sales processes for Reichert products by direct sales, collaboration with the company’s distributor network, and building relationships with key opinion leaders in the Western region.

Developed “product guru” reputation owing to superior product knowledge and ability to earn the trust and respect of key opinion leaders.

Managed Reichert’s relationship with teaching institutions for long-term benefits. Led the company’s participation in trade shows.

Responsibilities

  • Achieved 170% of sales goals for niche diagnostic instruments in 2017
  • Inheriting a damaged territory with strained relationships, turned around sales quickly. Surpassed forecasted sales in 2017, reaching to 109% of goal
  • Collaborated with management to optimize the sales process through new protocols designed to leverage unique product advantages
i2eye Diagnostics
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
2013 – 2016, Edinburgh, UK

A start-up providing Saccadic Vector Optokinetic Perimetry (SVOP) analyzers. Oversaw a wide range of sales, marketing, marketing communications, training, and customer support responsibilities to help I2Eye expand into the USA market.

Responsibilities

  • Built and advanced roadmap for launch of the SVOP product in the USA
  • Created and implemented a sales and marketing plan for USA and Europe, including brand identity, product positioning, and marketing collateral
  • Expanded outreach to Key Opinion Leaders
  • Onboarded a key distributor and oversaw their sales training and support

Events & Presentations

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Presentations




Beyond Psychedelics
TALK: Journey Into The Abyss
February 2017, Prague, Czech Republic
Psychedelic Science 2017
Panel Discussion on FDA Study of Psilocybin
June 2017, Oakland, CA

Exploring Psychedelics
TALK: Experience In FDA Study of Psilocybin
April 16, 2018 Ashland, OR

Driftless Psychedelic Therapy Symposium
Moderator and Presenter
January 2016, 2017, 2018 Viroqua, WI

Waking Up To Die |  Online Seminar
TALK: Trauma Training for Psychedelic Therapy
September 2021, Online

Naropa : Center for Psychedelic Studies
TALK: Psychedelic Somatic Therapy
December 2021, Online
‍‍

Psychedelic Science 2023
Panel Discussion on Psilocybin Programs in Oregon & Colorado
June 2023, Denver, CO

Ceremonies, Events


Viroqua, WI | 2013 – 2016
Organized 10 expanded states retreats for up to 30 people. Community outreach, participant interviews, managed all ceremony logistics.

Meeting Planning | Meeting Logistics | Psychedelics,Consciousness

Viroqua, WI | December, 2012
Dennis McKenna, launch of his book “The Brotherhood of the Screaming Abyss”, at the Driftless Bookstore

Dennis McKenna, Presentation at the Ark, “Consciousness and Spirituality:Neuroscience, the Mind/Brain and Parallel Universes, also arranged radio interview prior to presentation.

Viroqua, WI | August, 2013
Swami Ajaya, Presentation at The Ark: “The Psychology of the Chakras”, also arranged radio interview prior to presentation.

Alexandrea Tannous, two-day event: Presentation at the Ark, “The Harmonic Overtone Series and the Engineering of Consciousness” and a sound meditation at the LandmarkCenter

Viroqua, WI | January, 2013
Film Showing of “DMT: The Spirit Molecule”, at The Ark: included live streamwith film’s director/producer Mitch Schultz

Viroqua, WI February, 2013
Film Showing of “AyaAwakenings”, included live stream with film’s director/producer Rak Razam

Viroqua, WI | January, 2016
Organizer, manager, marketer, graphic design, host and moderator for the Driftless Psychedelic TherapySymposium, three-day symposium with presentations on psychedelic therapy

Viroqua, WI | May, 2016
Alexandrea Tannous, sound meditation at the Landmark Center

Viroqua, WI | January, 2017

Organizer, manager, marketer, graphic design, host and moderator for the Driftless Psychedelic Therapy Symposium, three-day symposium with presentations on psychedelic therapy

Madison, WI | January, 2018

Organizer, manager, marketer, graphic design, host and moderator for the Midwest PsychedelicTherapy Symposium, three-day symposium with presentations on psychedelic therapy

Grants Pass, OR | October, 2022

Co-Founded the Rogue Valley Psychedelic Society, organizer for monthly meeting, presentations, social events

 

Meeting Planning | Meeting Logistics | Corporate America

Worldwide 1992 – 2000
Chiron Vision, Education Resource Manager, onsite meeting planning and logistics for the training of over 7,000 surgeons in 25 countries

Guardion Health Sciences
Director of Sales and Marketing
April 2019 - October 2020, San Diego, CA

Guardion Health Sciences is at the forefront of early detection, intervention and monitoring of numerous eye diseases. The company combines targeted ocular nutrition with innovative, evidence-based diagnostic technology.

Responsible for all day-today activities to smoothly run the sales and marketing department. This included article placement in trade journals, ad creation, conference scheduling, hosting informational webinars.

Responsibilities

  • Created Practice Development Program and brought on 7 new employees
  • Created Key Opinion Leader Program and managed speaker’s bureau
  • Worked with key researchers on studies
  • Provided presentations to teaching institution
Reichert Technologies, Inc.
Western Regional Account Manager
Jan. 2017 – Present, Depew, NY

A global leader in the design and manufacture of high-quality diagnostic instruments and equipment for ophthalmologists and optometrists.

Served an integral role in the promotion and sales processes for Reichert products by direct sales, collaboration with the company’s distributor network, and building relationships with key opinion leaders in the Western region.

Developed “product guru” reputation owing to superior product knowledge and ability to earn the trust and respect of key opinion leaders.

Managed Reichert’s relationship with teaching institutions for long-term benefits. Led the company’s participation in trade shows.

Responsibilities

  • Achieved 170% of sales goals for niche diagnostic instruments in 2017
  • Inheriting a damaged territory with strained relationships, turned around sales quickly. Surpassed forecasted sales in 2017, reaching to 109% of goal
  • Collaborated with management to optimize the sales process through new protocols designed to leverage unique product advantages
i2eye Diagnostics
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
2013 – 2016, Edinburgh, UK

A start-up providing Saccadic Vector Optokinetic Perimetry (SVOP) analyzers. Oversaw a wide range of sales, marketing, marketing communications, training, and customer support responsibilities to help I2Eye expand into the USA market.

Responsibilities

  • Built and advanced roadmap for launch of the SVOP product in the USA
  • Created and implemented a sales and marketing plan for USA and Europe, including brand identity, product positioning, and marketing collateral
  • Expanded outreach to Key Opinion Leaders
  • Onboarded a key distributor and oversaw their sales training and support