Dr Joe Starke
I am a consultation and liaison psychiatrist, psychotherapist and mindfulness meditation teacher. Since 2022, I have been a trial therapist in psychedelic research trials at Swinburne University, prescribing the first dose of psilocybin used for treatment resistant depression in Australia, and I am currently involved in a trial of psilocybin for body image disturbance in the context of anorexia nervosa. Since 2023, I have been part of the Clinical Psychedelic Lab at Monash University, contributing to an international multi-site trial of 5-MeO-DMT for treatment resistant depression, and ongoing research using MDMA for PTSD.
In addition, I feel privileged to supervise a number of psychiatrists working as Authorised Prescribers of psychedelics, and through the Psychedelic Consultancy I am involved in supporting others to work towards Authorised Prescriber status. I have a strong interest in professional education and training in the psychedelic space, and I am a co-lead educator on the upcoming Foundations of Psychedelic Therapies short course at Monash University. Alongside these formalised roles, I am passionate about expanding access to psychedelic therapy, including through the development of group-based treatment protocols, collaborative partnerships and exploring new funding models.
Apart from psychedelic-assisted therapies, my other clinical and research interests include the overlap between mental and physical illness, chronic pain, trauma, and anxiety-related disorders, the clinical applications of mindfulness in mental healthcare (including burnout prevention), and functional and integrative psychiatry. I am involved in health professional wellness, facilitating regular mindfulness sessions and trainings based on the Mindful Practice in Medicine model developed at the University of Rochester in the USA. Before specialising in psychiatry, I worked in emergency, remote site, and expedition medicine, including overwintering in Antarctica and working with MSF in Pakistan. I remain committed to supporting individuals and teams working in challenging settings.
