Zeus MD MSW

I am a prudent physician with two Ivy League degrees who will keep you safe. I am a progressive somatic therapist who will gently guide you in transformational change.

My medical career began specializing in surgery and critical care, where I helped people’s physical bodies heal from life-threatening injury. I also saw many people became emotionally stuck after difficult experiences, where neither conventional medicine nor therapy could help them.

Seeking a path to deeper healing for my patients, I discovered the transformative effects of ketamine and other psychedelics on mental health. This led me to obtain a masters in social work and extensive training in somatic and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Now I safely and effectively guide people to experience transformational change.

Education

Harvard
Bachelor of Science, Biology

Perelman (U Penn) School of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine

Cal State University, Sacramento
Master of Social Work

Transformational Change

If you are struggling, it does not mean there is something wrong with you, it likely just means you learned to act in ways that keep you stuck. Our experiences often lead us to learn maladaptive ways of seeing and responding to the world.

You can harness the natural ability of your nervous system to heal through new experience. If the body has a new experience, then the heart and mind have a new experience. This is how experiential treatment works and is different from talk therapy and mainstream medicine.

Would you like to experience self-discovery and transformation? Ketamine and other psychedelics facilitate new learning by enhancing neuroplasticity. Cultures throughout the world have used this approach for millennia, and now it is firmly supported by neuroscience research.

We will walk together through the darkness as you remember your light.

Therapy Training

• Polaris Insight Center
– Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

• PRATI
– Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

• MAPS
– MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy
– European Clinical Trials Rater

• Temenos
– Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

• Relational Somatic Healing
– Bonding Beyond Attachment
– Embodied Touch
– Deep Listening and Gentle Touch

• Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Therapy
– Immersion
– Essential Skills
– Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy

Medical Training

• LA County+USC – surgery residency

• UK National Health Svc - surgery registrar

• LA County+USC – critical care fellowship

• Shriners – pediatric surgery fellowship

• UC Davis – adult burn surgery fellowship

Community Service

• Cal MAT – medical disaster response

• UC Davis IRB – biomedical trial review

MEDICAL RESEARCH
1) Ramirez JI, Thomas D, Neal DJ, Maguina P. A new injury prevention target: summer hair braids. J Burn Care Res, 39(6): 911-4, November/December 2018.
2)
Ramirez JI, Sen S, Palmieri TL, Greenhalgh DG. Timing of laparotomy and closure in burn patients with abdominal compartment syndrome: effects on survival. J Am Coll Surg, 226(6):1175-80, June 2018.
3)
Ramirez JI, Ridgway CA-C, Lee JG, Potenza BM, Sen S, Palmieri TP, Greenhalgh DG, Maguina P. The unrecognized epidemic of electronic cigarette burns. J Burn Care Res, 38(4):220-4, July 2017.
4) Gal S,
Ramirez JI, Maguina P. Autologous fat grafting does not improve burn scar appearance: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study. Burns, 43(3):486-9, May 2017.
5)
Ramirez JI, Maguina P. Invasive conidiobolomycosis can be successfully treated in burn survivors. J Burn Care Res, 38(1):e460-3, January 2017.
6)
Ramirez JI, Velmahos GV, Best C, Chan L, Demetriades D. Male sexual function after bilateral internal iliac artery embolization for pelvic fracture. J Trauma, 56(4):734-41, 2004.
7)
Ramirez JI, Petrone P, Asensio JA. Thyroid storm induced by strangulation. South Med J 97(6):608-10, 2004.
8)
Ramirez JI, Vassiliu P, Beart RW. Sequential compression devices as prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism in high-risk colorectal surgery patients: reconsidering American Society of Colorectal Surgeons parameters. Am Surg 69(11):941-5, 2003.
9) Asensio JA, Rojo E, Petrone P, Karsidag T, Pardo M,
Ramirez JI, Roldan G. Síndrome de exsanguinación: factores predictivos e indicativos para la cirugía de control de daños. Cirujano General 25(3):207-218, 2003.
10)
Ramirez JI, Gossett DR, Ginsburg KR, Taylor SL, Slap GB. Preventing high-risk behavior: the perspective of inner-city adolescents. J Adolesc Health 26(4): 258-67, 2000.

BOOK CHAPTERS AND REVIEWS
1) Ramirez JI, Velmahos G. Management of cervical aerodigestive injuries. Minerva Chir, 59(6):563-72, 2004.
2)
Ramirez JI, Belzberg HB. Respiratory insufficiency and mechanical ventilation. In: Naude GP, Bongard FS, and Demetriades D (eds): Trauma Secrets, 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2002.
3) Velmahos GV,
Ramirez JI. Crush injuries. In: Naude GP, Bongard FS, and Demetriades D (eds): Trauma Secrets, 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2002.

NATIONAL PRESENTATIONS
1) Ramirez JI, Sen S, Greenhalgh DG. Prompt laparotomy and early closure dramatically improve survival in burn patients with abdominal compartment syndrome. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Am. Burn Assoc., March 21-24, 2017.
2)
Ramirez JI, Ridgway CA-C, Potenza BM, Sen S, Palmieri TP, Greenhalgh DG, Maguina P. The unrecognized epidemic of electronic cigarette burns: A multi-center study. Presentation at Annual Meeting of the Am. Burn Assoc., March 21-24, 2017.
3) Park SJ,
Ramirez JI, Maguina P. Does laser therapy work the same way for all burn patients? A preliminary study. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Burn Association, March 21-24, 2017.
4)
Ramirez JI, Maguina P. Autologous Fat Grafting for Burn Scars: A Prospective, Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Pilot Study. Oral presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Burn Association, May 3-6, 2016.
5).
Ramirez JI, Sen S, Tran N, Chan B, Palmieri TL, Greenhalgh DG, Cho K. Sodium Variability Increases Mortality in Severe Burn Injury. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Burn Association, May 3-6, 2016.

Research and Publications

  • My life has changed in many ways after the work I did with Zeus… I will always be so grateful for how he’s been able to help me in the areas no one else could.

    - Claire B.

  • After years of trying conventional treatments for her mental health struggles with very little success, [our daughter] is finally receiving treatment that gives her relief from acute anxiety, allows her to process difficult thoughts without debilitating fear, and gives her the ability to move through the world with more confidence.

    - Serene D.

  • Dr. Zeus was a huge factor in helping me deal with my depression and anxiety. I felt I had hit a wall with my affliction and felt hopeless. Dr. Zeus’s treatments broke the barrier and within a short period of time, I was able to function normally and participate in life. Thanks Dr. Zeus

    - Clark S.

  • I highly recommend Dr. Zeus. He is a gifted healer who uses his boundless wisdom and love to hold a healing space for his clients… this healing space allowed me to feel safe and find that place inside me that is my true self – my intuition, my innate love.

    - Jenny D.

  • I never imagined I could be free from the horrific memories that haunted me throughout my life, but... here I am. Thanks, Dr. Zeus!

    - Adam M.

  • Dr. Zeus’ extensive medical background, masters in social work, and compassionate style, instantly instilled a sense of trust and safety as I navigated a very emotionally challenging time in my life. His holistic approach and unwavering dedication to his patients make him an invaluable resource in the journey towards healing and recovery.

    - Ronda B., RN

  • Dr. Zeus is a kind, thoughtful, and thorough care provider. I appreciate his support and recommend his services.

    - Heather T.

  • Dr. Zeus’s training in both medicine and therapy create a remarkable combination of knowledge and skills that helped me heal... Dr. Zeus’s care and compassion were a lifesaver for me and I am extremely grateful to have had him in my life. I enthusiastically recommend his care and therapy.

    - Dr. Larry P.

  • Dr. Zeus has been a transformative figure for my mental health journey, as he has shown me compassion and attentive care that pales in comparison to the many psychiatrists I had prior. KAP sessions with Dr. Zeus's methods have greatly helped me along my path to healing and I highly recommend that people work with him.

    - Haley B.