Meet the Founders
Gianna Biscontini, MAEdHD, BCBA, LBA
“Modern mental healthcare is no longer confined to the boxes of conventional knowledge — it is integrative, expansive, and deeply human. It honors the complexities of who we are, weaving together science, soul and strength to foster small steps toward betterment and wellbeing each day.
Effective and sustainable care teaches the patient about their body’s natural response to trauma. It recognizes the dance between environment and behavior. It’s designed as a safe container for unmasking and re-becoming. And, above all, it helps those who are suffering use their own inner wisdom to find their way back to relentless self-understanding and love.
Collective healing starts with individual care.”
Gianna Biscontini is a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA), ketamine-assisted therapist and the visionary creator of The Expanded Method.
With a strong academic foundation on the East and West coasts that reflects a deep commitment to understanding human behavior, mental health and environmental variables affecting our wellbeing, Gianna’s studies include a B.A. in Psychology at Salisbury University, followed by advanced graduate training in Counseling Culturally Diverse Populations and Early Childhood Special Education at The George Washington University, ranked as one of the nation’s top-ten programs. She further refined her expertise with postgraduate certifications in Applied Behavior Analysis at George Mason University and Social Entrepreneurship at Stanford University.
Gianna’s career spans decades of working with diverse populations, blending evidence-based practices with a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to create meaningful change. She has spent the last 22 years studying multiple therapeutic modalities, including Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic experiencing, theta wave states, meditation and breath work, psychedelic medicine, clinical behavior analysis, buddhist psychology and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), challenging the status quo of mental healthcare and sparking conversations on redefining ourselves beyond the boundaries of social conditioning. Her work is a testament to her belief in the power of science, storytelling, and human connection to inspire growth and healing on both individual and collective levels
Gianna's contributions extend beyond her professional practice. Her Amazon best-selling book, F*ckless: A Guide to Wild, Unencumbered Freedom, not only explores the fluidity of identity and gender but also serves as a beacon for those navigating the bold, nuanced act of evolving past our socially-conditioned selves. Additionally, she is a sought-after speaker, captivating audiences with her insights on more modern, diverse approaches to therapy, helping all individuals break out of gendered beliefs, and the safe and effective use of psychedelic medicine. A frequent contributing writer and guest on mainstream podcasts, she enjoys inspiring others to explore the cutting edges of wellness and mental health.
A world traveler and former digital nomad, she draws inspiration from her extensive travels and her enduring love for the natural world. Now grounded in Washington, D.C., she finds daily joy in moments spent with her cherished rescue dogs, Franklin and Maya.
Post-graduate Education and Training
Applied Behavior Analysis, Board Certification
Advanced Ketamine-assisted Psychotherapy Training - Sunny Strasburg, Lauren Taus, Melissa Whippo (Three Cups Psychedelics)
An Introduction to Trauma and Trauma-
Informed CareTeaching Mindfulness Through a Behavior Analyst Lens
Inner Healing Intelligence, Evaluating the Impact of the Inner Healer
Introduction to Harm Reduction and Integration Therapy
Effectiveness for Applied Behavior Analysis with Anxiety
ACT and Emotional Regulation
Psychedelic-assisted Therapy Global Summit, HeartMind Institute
Microdosing Conference, Psilocybin SF
Psychedelic Medicine Masterclass, Dr. Manesh Girn
Certificate in Psychedelic Therapy and Integration, Fluence (in progress)
Certificate in Ketamine-assisted Psychotherapy, Fluence (Dec 2024)
Introduction to Psilocybin-assisted Therapy Research
Introduction to MDMA-assisted Therapy Research
Ancestral Healing and Emotional Freedom Tapping — Mirjam Madhuri Paninski, California Institute of Integral Studies
Introduction to Trauma-informed Psychedelic-assisted Therapy
Ethics and Equity in Psilocybin Services
Intoxication and Dissociation in Psychedelic-assisted Therapy
Addressing Anatomy from a Behavior Analytic Perspective
Using Applied Behavior Analysis to Support Learners with ADHD
Executive Program in Social Entrepreneurship - Stanford’s Graduate School of Business
"I believe in the transformative power of integrative mental healthcare that sees, honors, and treats the whole person. Too often, psychiatric care is reduced to brief medication visits. Instead, it should create space for true healing by thoughtfully combining innovative treatments with traditional wisdom.
Meaningful transformation happens when we take time to understand not just symptoms, but stories. When we acknowledge that mental health is influenced by sleep, nutrition, hormones, trauma, and systemic inequities. When we create safe spaces for authentic connection and transformation.
Every person deserves healthcare that makes them feel seen, heard, and supported in their full humanity."
Sasha Bergeron, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Sasha Bergeron is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over a decade of experience providing outstanding patient care. She completed her training at Vanderbilt University's renowned Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program, consistently ranked among the nation's top programs, where she graduated at the top of her class and received the Outstanding Student Award. Specializing in integrative psychiatry and innovative mental health treatments, she brings extensive expertise in combining evidence-based approaches with holistic care. Having worked with ketamine since 2017, Sasha gained valuable experience and mentorship from pioneering KAT practitioners in the San Francisco Bay Area. She believes in tailoring care to each patient’s unique needs, artfully blending her expertise in psychiatry with a deep commitment to understanding the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.
Sasha's expertise spans multiple treatment modalities, including psychopharmacology, ketamine-assisted therapy, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Her published work on combining TMS with psychotherapy has contributed to the field's understanding of innovative treatment approaches. She brings particular expertise in working with those often labeled "treatment-resistant" - those who have exhausted conventional options, like antidepressants and talk therapy. Through her comprehensive approach and innovative treatment plans, she restores hope and creates new possibilities for healing. She brings specialized understanding to supporting perinatal and postpartum patients, honoring the unique challenges and transitions of these profound life phases.
Sasha's approach emphasizes accessibility and inclusivity, making mental health care both approachable and effective. She is a trusted partner in care, known for her empathetic listening, thoughtful communication, and dedication to helping individuals achieve lasting well-being. She approaches every interaction as an opportunity for therapeutic healing, drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS), mindfulness, and meditation practices. Her approach considers the whole person while acknowledging the impact of systemic factors on mental health. She is particularly passionate about providing safe, affirming care for women, transgender, non-binary, and AFAB individuals. Whether working with patients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, or complex psychiatric conditions, Sasha is committed to fostering resilience and improving quality of life.
A Washington, DC native, Sasha's approach to care has been profoundly shaped by her immersive experiences living abroad - from a year in Spain, where she honed her Spanish language fluency, to a transformative year traveling the world. Living among and learning from diverse communities has enriched her understanding of how mental health is experienced and expressed across different cultures, deeply informing her approach to providing culturally responsive, inclusive care.
Sasha's commitment to growth and exploration extends beyond her professional life. She shares her love of adventure with her husband and two toddlers, finding renewal in nature and continued inspiration through travel. She believes in the healing power of community, finding joy in hosting gatherings that create space for connection and restoration. It's through these varied experiences - of adventure, nature, and community - that she continues to deepen her understanding of what it means to live fully and heal authentically.
Post-graduate Education and Training
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, board certification
Advanced Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Training - Psychedelic Research and Training Institute
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Training, Modules 1-3 - Polaris Insight Center
Mastering the Art of Psychedelic Care - The Guiding Presence
Ketamine and Mental Health: Foundations of Ketamine Assisted Therapy
Sublingual Ketamine for Chronic Pain and/or Depression Webinar
Voices of Psychotherapy Summit
Psych Congress - 2020, 2023
Attachment Trauma and the Nervous System
Relationship as Spiritual Practice - Spirit Rock
Understanding Metabolism: Mind-Body Connections: Stress-Related Eating, Mood, Cognition, and Sleep
Advanced Hands-On TMS Symposium