“I majored in social work as an undergraduate student. Initially, I was deeply interested in understanding human behaviors and the factors that influence people’s mental health. I was drawn to the values of social work, which align with my belief in empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills to break the cycle of generational struggles and create opportunities for them to have a brighter future.

As I continued my education and clinical practice, I noticed that many traditional interventions for mental and substance use disorders were ineffective for some people. This realization sparked my curiosity about how I could contribute to the treatment field by developing innovative, harm-reduction interventions that would better support individuals’ recovery. This motivation led me to pursue a Ph.D. specializing in mental health and substance use prevention and treatment.

I am passionate about exploring and understanding the multifaceted interplay between trauma and the process of healing. My primary research approach is centered around harm reduction, such as psychedelic-assisted therapy, and strengths-based methodologies. These approaches aim to minimize the potential negative consequences and promote strength and resilience toward overall well-being among individuals with mental and substance use disorders.

When I began my doctoral program at The Ohio State University, I was introduced to psychedelic-assisted therapy through working with my advisor, who specialized in these interventions. Through our collaboration, I discovered my passion for the field. My interest in psychedelic-assisted interventions aligns well with my personal appreciation for nature and plants, as many psychedelics are plant-based medicines and have demonstrated therapeutic potential in mental health. I was thrilled to find an opportunity to combine my interest in nature to help individuals recover from mental and substance use disorders.

I am very excited to join the University of Utah. I was drawn to the College of Social Work’s mission and commitment to social justice, as well as its solid research infrastructure. I share similar research interests with many of the peer faculty members and am particularly excited about collaborating with existing researchers at The University of Utah to conduct interdisciplinary studies. These collaborations will bridge the gap between social work and related disciplines, fostering partnerships with colleagues in psychology, psychiatry, public health and behavioral sciences. I believe the U will be the perfect environment for me to grow and contribute professionally. The natural environment in Utah also attracts me. Our whole family is excited to move to Utah and explore its beautiful landscapes.

Currently, my work focuses on exploring and understanding the effectiveness of harm reduction in psychedelic-assisted interventions to address trauma, mental health and substance use within minority communities. For example, I study the effects of ayahuasca, a plant-based psychedelic, in treating mental disorders. The next step in my work is to learn more about the perspectives of Indigenous people on the popularity of the ayahuasca tourism industry in Western culture and the potential impacts it may have on the sacred traditions and social structure of traditional Amazon communities.

Given ayahuasca’s importance as a local sacred plant in indigenous cultures, I believe it is crucial for future clinicians and researchers to be culturally sensitive and hold ethical considerations when approaching ayahuasca experiences or applying ayahuasca-assisted interventions in Western therapeutic contexts. I hope my research on ayahuasca and in general psychedelic-assisted interventions, can contribute to a healthy bridge between Indigenous wisdom and mental health treatments in today’s society.”

—Yitong Xin, assistant professor, College of Social Work