LIFE IS MEDICINE
Everything in life is Medicine. From the food we eat, to exercise, to work, relationships, western medicine, eastern medicine, the breath, movement…. Everything. However, everything in life can also be a drug. Just as one thing can assist us to a better way of life, the very same thing used in excess can cause us suffering and pain.
Medicine is all about how we create balance and understanding of what we need in any given moment. The Life Medicine Collective was created to build a community and platform for individuals to explore and discover their own inner Medicine. Join us on this journey of self-discovery, healing, and liberation.
DAN ZALCBERG
If you read below you will gain some insight into the path I have walked to bring me here in front of you today. Everything that has come before has shaped who I am, and everything that has come before you has shaped who you are in this very moment. In 2015, I started immersing myself in understanding models of the mind through psychology, psychoanalysis, therapy (cognitive, somatic, psychedelic and transpersonal), quantum consciousness, neo-shamanism, mindfulness, meditation, breathwork, occultism, various trainings, retreats, movement, travel and working endlessly with incredible mentors and teachers from all over the world.
The unique collection of these experiences is what I bring to our work together. My view of healing and transformation is the ultimate quest to truly liberate oneself out of suffering. It is not about simply coping with life, but truly finding your purpose meaning and joy within whatever you choose to do.
Dan has completed a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) and is currently registered as a provisional psychologist undertaking a Masters of Clinical Psychology. He has trained in evidence-based practices such as EMDR, Schema Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and Clinical Resource Therapy (RT). Dan completed research in 2022 exploring the relationship between frustration, anger and depression and is developing further research into understanding the functional role of anger with respect to healing. Dan has a particular interest in assisting people in uncovering their often repressed, unexpressed or suppressed anger.
Has also spent an extensive amount of time studying and immersing himself in holistic approaches such as Conscious Connected Breathwork, the power of sound and vibration, chanting and vocalisation, Clinical Hypnosis, EFT, Quantum Consciousness, Psych-K and ancient indigenous healing practices from his Maestros in the Peruvian Amazon. He regularly returns to Peru each year to continue his own personal work. He continually weaves and incorporates his study of Buddhist Psychology, Mindfulness and Meditation into his session as essential tools for grounding, stabilisation and embodiment.
Dan has over 10 years of Clinical experience connecting with a broad range of cleints. His approach to healing and psychotherapy combines all that he has learned from all walks of life, personal experiences, and evidence-based clinical approaches that culminate in his unique approach and style. He is compassionate and empathetic, and loves sharing his learnings with others. He is forever a student and looks forward to working with you or seeing you at one of our events soon.
MY STORY
I grew up with a suicidal mother from the age 13. She was in and out of hospital for over 15 years. I saw things, heard things, and read things I never should have had to deal with as a kid. Our family fell apart, people around me pulled away and ultimately, I fell apart too. Up to this point, things were good…. Or so I assumed as every child does. But the trajectory of my life changed. I battled my own journey of addiction, depression, suicidal ideation, and PTSD all whilst trying to hide in plain sight. Trying desperately to not let anyone see how bad it was.
Whilst I managed somehow to complete my schooling, I didn’t last long at university. I crumbled. Ended up in bars and nightclubs heading down another long path of drugs, alcohol, debt, and immense fear of life. Days of hiding under the covers too scared to live and face my reality. After having my life threatened at gunpoint, I knew something needed to change. It was the wake-up call I needed.
The story didn’t end there either….. where ever I turned there was someone trying to take me down, someone trying to cause me harm or $@#& me over. Failed relationships, the inability to love or receive love, riddled by overwhelming darkness and loneliness.
“The lesson I have had to learn time and time again is to not let people mistake kindness for weakness.”
It wasn’t until then that my personal journey to recovery, freedom, liberation and the pursuit of inner peace began. It started with a realisation that I couldn’t keep going the way I was going. No matter how hard I worked, drank or partied, none of it ever resolved the pain that resided deep inside me. Yet all I was left with were harder questions I couldn’t yet answer.