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Our Team

Get to know the dedicated team at the heart of the Within Center—professionals who bring compassion, expertise, and a deep commitment to healing through our innovative approach to ketamine-assisted therapy.

With backgrounds in psychology, medicine, integration, and holistic care, our team works collaboratively to create a safe, supportive environment for transformation. Each member is united by a shared vision: to empower individuals on their journey inward, using evidence-based therapies that honor both science and the human spirit.

Founder

William

William is an experienced Chief Executive Officer with an exceptional background in launching companies, along with a lifelong passion and deep personal journey of healing trauma, addiction, mental health and awakening consciousness through many different modalities such as Plant Medicine, Ancient Traditions, Gut Health, Microbiome, nervous system regulation, and mindfulness practices.

After a long career with Google, William went on to launch 4 different healthcare companies that resulted in 4 treatment centers, 12 aftercare homes, with over 60 employees. His passion and purpose is healing and expanding consciousness, and transforming the current healthcare paradigm.

William lives in Austin, TX with his partner, Mariya, two children, two dogs and enjoys playing pickleball, boating, and spending time with his community & friends, where they get to live together in meaningful community & friendship.

Medical director

Dr Julie Kaesberg

Sabrina Ourania, MA is the Director of Admissions & Intake at Within Center, where she brings over two decades of experience in guiding individuals into transformational work. With Master’s degrees in both Philosophy, Cosmology & Consciousness studies, and Transformational Coaching, she combines deep intuitive insight with a grounded understanding of what it takes to prepare for and step into profound healing. Her background includes years of supporting psychedelic medicine retreats, serving as a guardian of ceremonial space, and personally designing & leading her own transformational programs.

Drawn to the sacred since childhood, Sabrina path has led her into women’s circles, plant medicine communities, and the art of becoming a healing presence. Decades of guiding guests through threshold experiences have honed her ability to listen deeply, attune to unspoken needs, and create the trust necessary for vulnerable, life-changing work. In her role at Within Center, she brings this lifetime of ceremonial and coaching experience to every conversation, welcoming each person into spaces where truth, healing, and belonging can emerge.

Managing Director

Justin De La Cruz

Professional Counselor-Supervisor

Maeve O’Neill

Dr. Samuel Lee, M.D. is a board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in a spiritually-based mental health discipline and integrative methodologies. He graduated with an MD at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and did a residency in psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He has also been an inpatient adult psychiatrist at Kaweah Delta Mental Health Hospital and the primary attending geriatric psychiatrist at the Auerbach Inpatient Psychiatric Jewish Home Hospital.

In addition, he served as the general adult outpatient psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente. He is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology and has a B.A. Magna Cum Laude in Religion from Pacific Union College. His specialty is in natural healing techniques that promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself.

Director of Admissions & Intake

Sabrina

Sabrina Ourania, MA is the Director of Admissions & Intake at Within Center, where she brings over two decades of experience in guiding individuals into transformational work. With Master’s degrees in both Philosophy, Cosmology & Consciousness studies, and Transformational Coaching, she combines deep intuitive insight with a grounded understanding of what it takes to prepare for and step into profound healing. Her background includes years of supporting psychedelic medicine retreats, serving as a guardian of ceremonial space, and personally designing & leading her own transformational programs.

Drawn to the sacred since childhood, Sabrina path has led her into women’s circles, plant medicine communities, and the art of becoming a healing presence. Decades of guiding guests through threshold experiences have honed her ability to listen deeply, attune to unspoken needs, and create the trust necessary for vulnerable, life-changing work. In her role at Within Center, she brings this lifetime of ceremonial and coaching experience to every conversation, welcoming each person into spaces where truth, healing, and belonging can emerge.

Inpatient Retreat Manager

Shannon Grossman

Retreat & Membership Coordinator

Juls

Ranch services, Class Manager

Kyle Breen

Retreat Staff & Facilitator

Darlene Neth

Head of integration and scheduling

Leslie Glace

Psychiatric Nurse, RN , BCH, CCHt Lead Guide

Danielle Napier

AWKN ranch operations

Eric Vikre

Lida is a dedicated healer, medicine woman, and educator deeply rooted in indigenous traditions and ancient wisdom.

As a former co-director at the Shamanic Healing Center in Costa Rica, she honed her expertise in sacred and natural medicine. Now, as a psychedelic guide at Within, Lida brings her extraordinary gifts to create vibrant, transformative spaces. She expertly guides individuals on profound journeys, helping them rediscover their true selves through holistic practices.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, PMHNP

Ayesha Macon

Lida is a dedicated healer, medicine woman, and educator deeply rooted in indigenous traditions and ancient wisdom.

As a former co-director at the Shamanic Healing Center in Costa Rica, she honed her expertise in sacred and natural medicine. Now, as a psychedelic guide at Within, Lida brings her extraordinary gifts to create vibrant, transformative spaces. She expertly guides individuals on profound journeys, helping them rediscover their true selves through holistic practices.

Admissions & Intake Coordinator

Patrick

Certified Coach & Psychedelic Guide

Heather

Heather McCan is a somatically-informed coach and psychedelic guide at Within Center, bringing 14 years of experience in working with plant medicines, participating in sacred ceremonies as a guardian, and providing healing through bodywork as a licensed massage therapist.

Heather’s personal journey took a transformative turn during a sacred plant medicine ceremony, which liberated her from a life-threatening alcohol addiction and catalyzed her path toward healing, recovery, and the development of her intuitive ability to hold space for others. Through grace and the guidance of these profound experiences, she discovered the medicines, people, and practices that played a vital role in her recovery. Now, Heather stands as a beacon of light and hope, committed to showing that true healing and transformation are achievable. Her greatest desire is to use her acquired knowledge and personal challenges to help others connect with their own inner healer.

A student of the divine, Heather is passionate about reading sacred spiritual texts and exploring the unseen realms. She enjoys snowboarding, hiking, music, dancing, concerts, and attending transformative festivals. Heather shares her life with her beloved dog–and light of her life–Vega.

Certified Coach & Psychedelic Guide

Aaron

As a certified Grief Recovery Specialist™, coach in Compassionate Communication, and certified Kambo practitioner, Aaron Jack brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to his role as a psychedelic guide at Within. A proud member of The Mankind Project, he delves into shadow work, unlocking mind-body transformations by addressing the root causes of emotional and physical challenges, and empowering clients on their healing journeys.

With over a decade of life coaching experience, Aaron prioritizes safety and support, backed by CPR certification and EMT-B training. He is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where everyone feels secure to explore their healing paths. Always evolving, he is currently expanding his horizons through studies in mysticism and transpersonal psychology, while deepening his indigenous practices.

Since 2017, Aaron has collaborated with indigenous mentors, honoring ancestral healing traditions and integrating ceremonial practices with scientific principles. A transformative trip to the Yawanawa tribe in Brazil in 2022 enriched his practice and enhanced his work as a psychedelic guide at Within.

Outside of guiding, Aaron embraces adventure, personal growth, and the beauty of nature. He treasures quality time with family and welcomes new opportunities for reflection and self-discovery.

Ceremonialist & Psychedelic Guide

Lida

Lida Ebrahimi is a dedicated healer, medicine woman, and educator deeply rooted in indigenous traditions and ancient wisdom.

As a former co-director at the Shamanic Healing Center in Costa Rica, she honed her expertise in sacred and natural medicine. Now, as a psychedelic guide at Within, Lida brings her extraordinary gifts to create vibrant, transformative spaces. She expertly guides individuals on profound journeys, helping them rediscover their true selves through holistic practices.

Therapist & Psychedelic Guide

Amber

Amber Cress, LPC-A is a licensed professional counselor associate with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and certifications in various therapeutic modalities, including Foundations of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy. Her background includes providing crisis support for human trafficking victims and serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, experiences that have deeply shaped her understanding of trauma and resilience.

Amber views healing as a deeply personal journey. She specializes in somatic therapy, narrative therapy, and the transformative potential of altered states. Through somatic therapy, Amber helps clients reconnect with their bodies and understand how physical sensations affect their emotional well-being. In narrative therapy, she empowers clients to reshape their personal stories, fostering meaningful change.

As a pioneer in integrating altered states into therapy, Amber respects both indigenous traditions and contemporary research, offering clients safe and respectful exploration for emotional and psychological healing.

Outside of therapy, Amber enjoys nature, traveling, mindfulness, and exploring cultural traditions. She incorporates these values into her practice, providing a supportive and integrative environment for clients seeking self-awareness, personal transformation, or new healing avenues.

Retreat Staff & Chef

Delaney siano

Amber Cress, LPC-A is a licensed professional counselor associate with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and certifications in various therapeutic modalities, including Foundations of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy. Her background includes providing crisis support for human trafficking victims and serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, experiences that have deeply shaped her understanding of trauma and resilience.

Amber views healing as a deeply personal journey. She specializes in somatic therapy, narrative therapy, and the transformative potential of altered states. Through somatic therapy, Amber helps clients reconnect with their bodies and understand how physical sensations affect their emotional well-being. In narrative therapy, she empowers clients to reshape their personal stories, fostering meaningful change.

As a pioneer in integrating altered states into therapy, Amber respects both indigenous traditions and contemporary research, offering clients safe and respectful exploration for emotional and psychological healing.

Outside of therapy, Amber enjoys nature, traveling, mindfulness, and exploring cultural traditions. She incorporates these values into her practice, providing a supportive and integrative environment for clients seeking self-awareness, personal transformation, or new healing avenues.

Admissions Support / Ranch Services

Michael Whali

Lead Nurse

Alyssa Ablan

Retreat staff and chef

Misty Render