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 trauma, where neither conventional medicine nor therapy could help them get unstuck

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 may just mean something bad happened. Difficult 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 experience. If the body has a new experience, then the heart has a new experience. This is how somatic therapy 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 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 Therapist Rater

  • Temenos – two-year associate, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy

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

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

Medical Training

LA County+USC – surgery residency

UK National Health Service - surgery registrar

LA County+USC – critical care fellowship

Shriners – pediatric burn surgery fellowship

UC Davis – adult burn surgery fellowship

Community Service

UC Davis IRB – biomedical trial review

Cal MAT – medical disaster response

Scientific Research and Publications

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.

  • 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.

    - C Barton

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

    - A Mintz

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

    - H Tegeler

  • 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.

    - J Duncan

  • 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.

    - R Brittian