About Anne
Born and raised in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, Dr. Metz's intellectual prowess was evident early on, earning her the prestigious Echols Scholar designation at the University of Virginia. In 2003, she graduated cum laude with a double major in Philosophy and Religious Studies, laying the foundation for a career marked by deep inquiry and a passion for understanding the human condition.
Post-graduation, Dr. Metz's path took an unexpected turn as she embarked on a career as a fashion model in Europe. This experience, while seemingly far removed from her eventual calling, undoubtedly contributed to her unique perspective on human behavior and societal norms. Returning to her home in Virginia, she transitioned into journalism, working as a reporter for an alternative newsweekly in Charlottesville from 2005 to 2009. This period honed her investigative skills and deepened her understanding of community issues, skills that would prove invaluable in her future research and advocacy work.
In 2010, Dr. Metz's career took a decisive turn towards mental health as she joined the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at James Madison University. This marked the beginning of her formal education in counseling, culminating in a doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision in 2019. During her doctoral studies, Dr. Metz's exceptional potential was recognized with a research fellowship at the University of Virginia School of Law, focusing on criminal justice reform. This interdisciplinary experience would become a cornerstone of her future work, bridging the gaps between mental health, law, and social justice.
Dr. Metz's clinical experience is both extensive and varied. She completed her clinical residency in emergency, inpatient, and outpatient settings, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the mental health care system. For several years, she conducted critical psychiatric and substance abuse assessments in emergency rooms, dealing with some of the most acute and challenging cases in mental health. Her expertise in this area led to her certification by the Commonwealth of Virginia as an evaluator for the civil commitment process, a role that requires both clinical acumen and a deep understanding of legal processes.
The intersection of mental health and criminal justice became a focal point of Dr. Metz's work. She served as the mental health liaison for a post-plea diversion program, where she was responsible for assessment, treatment planning, and care coordination for justice-involved individuals. In this role, she also led a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) group, demonstrating her commitment to providing evidence-based interventions to vulnerable populations.
Dr. Metz's research has been groundbreaking, particularly in the realm of drug policy and sentencing reform. She conducted the first-of-its-kind qualitative study on the punishment of low-level drug offenders, a work that directly influenced sentencing policy reform in Virginia. Her research portfolio is impressive, with publications in respected journals such as the Journal of Community Psychology, Behavioral Sciences and the Law, and the Federal Sentencing Reporter. She has also contributed to the forthcoming Handbook of Criminal Justice Reform, cementing her status as a thought leader in the field.
In recent years, Dr. Metz has turned her attention to the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, viewing this emerging field through the lens of her commitment to mental health decriminalization and ending the War on Drugs. Her approach to this controversial area is both pioneering and grounded in rigorous clinical practice. In 2020, she completed a unique 6-month clinical apprenticeship with an underground psychedelic guide in Portland, Oregon, focusing on the application of transpersonal and non-ordinary states of consciousness in clinical practice. She has also pursued advanced training in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) through Fluence training, positioning herself at the forefront of this revolutionary approach to mental health treatment.
Dr. Metz's clinical orientation is strengths-based and trauma-informed, drawing heavily from attachment theory and neuroscience. She brings this approach to her various roles, including her position on the faculty of Southern New Hampshire University's counseling program. Her commitment to addressing broader societal issues is evident in her service on the American Counseling Association Climate Crisis Task Force, where she works to address the mental health impacts of climate change.
Currently, Dr. Metz is licensed to practice counseling, psychotherapy, and supervision in New Mexico, Colorado, Virginia, California, and Oregon, allowing her to reach a wide range of clients and supervisees. She offers services in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, psychedelic preparation and integration, consulting, and clinical supervision. As the host of the "Psychedelic Skeptic" podcast, she continues to challenge assumptions and push for progress in mental health treatment and drug policy.
Based in Arroyo Seco, New Mexico, Dr. Metz balances her professional pursuits with personal passions. An avid hiker, skier, and ceramicist, she embodies the holistic approach to well-being that she advocates for in her professional life.
Dr. Anne Metz's career is a powerful narrative of how diverse experiences, rigorous academic training, and a commitment to social justice can converge to create a truly transformative approach to mental health and criminal justice reform. Her work continues to challenge norms, push boundaries, and offer new hope to individuals struggling with mental illness and addiction, as well as those caught in the complexities of the criminal justice system.
