Marcia Rich, Ph.D.

Marcia Rich began passionately pursuing a formal shamanic path in her forties. Prior to that, she provided integrative psychotherapy as a transpersonal psychologist, engaging the consciousness of mind, body, emotion and spirit. She was searching for a more direct approach, which she found in shamanism.

Marcia began passionately pursuing a formal shamanic path in 2007 with her attendance at FSS workshops with Gizelle Rhyon-Berry, in Victoria, BC, Canada. A pivotal shamanic experience early on this path helped her to embrace the sacredness of her own “smallness and invisibility,” a teaching that she has returned to again and again. This teaching has fuelled her passion for shamanism as a spiritual path, particularly through the core shamanic approach originated by Michael Harner and taught via the FSS. Marcia says: “I am honored to have my relationship with the Foundation now extend to teaching in Alberta, Canada.

What is most inspiring for Marcia is supporting others in deep healing as they become increasingly independent and autonomous in their shamanic practice. This passion comes from her personal experience of intensive healing and transformation through practicing shamanism as a spiritual path.

What Marcia's students are saying:

"Marcia has such a beautiful, healing presence and is a natural teacher. Very knowledgeable, helpful, clear, and open to whatever came up."

"Clear directions, knowledgeable, passionate, organized, compassionate, skilled in group work, professional, very pleasant and welcoming to all. Beautiful presence—elegant, intelligent, warm."

"Marcia brought such an open, accepting and nurturing energy into the teachings. She understood what we needed throughout, which was great. I felt like she was really in synch with us as we learned. Amazing instincts—would love to take more classes with her."

"Marcia is a gifted teacher. The teachings were precise and filled with wisdom and and knowledge. Marcia has strong command of shamanism and is a wonderful teacher."

"Gifted teacher with command of shamanic knowledge."

"Inspired by her openness to answering all questions and helping each of us when we were blocked or experiencing some difficulty. Compassionate, well organized, empathetic."

Marcia received her Master’s and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and has completed research in integrating spiritual and transpersonal realms into psychotherapy. She is interested in the intersection of shamanic practice and transpersonal psychotherapy. Since beginning her training with the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, she has maintained a shamanic practice, providing individual and group sessions for healing.

Recently, Marcia held the position of Assistant Professor at the University of Lethbridge in the Addictions Counseling Program, teaching courses in counselor training and mental health and addictions issues. She left academic life to devote more time to providing shamanic and psychotherapy services for others. She is currently on the Editorial Board of Reviewers of Pardoxica: Journal of Nondual Psychology.