Illumma, a leading ketamine practice in Austin, Texas, provides relief and hope to those who feel lost or struggle with mental health, stress, and pain issues. Our founders Dr. Ken Adolph and Alli Waddell were driven by their struggles with mental health issues to create a new kind of clinic that focused on lasting transformational healing. Client empowerment is the cornerstone of Illumma, and they genuinely believe that we can heal ourselves if given the right tools in a safe space. Our team’s mission is to help each person overcome their conditions, freeing them to find their light and share it with the world.
Who is Illumma?
Our Mission
Our mission at Illumma is to empower conscious individuals battling chronic mental health and stress disorders to rediscover their light. Through innovative protocols and a holistic approach to ketamine therapy, we aim to revolutionize the mental health landscape.
By fostering a safe, empathetic environment and providing essential tools and support, we enable our clients to embark on their healing journey with confidence.
We measure our success by witnessing our clients thrive, maintaining our position as Austin’s premier Ketamine Clinic, and extending our reach to touch as many lives as possible.
Our Promises To You
Infuse mental health care with compassion and empathy, guiding you through your journey with understanding and support.
Embrace your individuality and meet you at your own pace, recognizing and respecting the unique path of your healing.
Acknowledge the complexity of your healing process, offering comprehensive care to address all aspects of your well-being.
Cultivate a safe and inclusive environment grounded in our shared humanity, where you can feel supported and empowered on your path to wellness.
Our Team
Dr. Ken Adolph, MD
Founder / Medical Director
Dr. Ken Adolph is a Board Certified Cardiac Anesthesiologist and medical director of Illumma, and a member of the American Society of Ketamine Physicians.
Dr. Adolph was born and raised in New Orleans and received a Bachelor of Science and MD from Louisiana State University. Ken completed his residency and cardiac fellowship in Anesthesia at the renowned Emory University in Atlanta. In 1998, Dr. Adolph moved to Austin, Texas, to open Austin’s now nationally recognized Heart Hospital. He has spent over two decades caring for patients and building a practice with CV Anesthesiology, PA. Health and wellness have always been paramount to Ken in his personal and professional life, with a strong interest in mental health and the effects of trauma on the human experience.
Through his struggles with anxiety, he understands the significant impact mindset can have on one’s interpretation of the world. Using his unique training and empathetic and compassionate perspective, Dr. Adolph is committed to improving patients’ lives. During his free time, he’s on his mountain bike, catching fish on the Texas coast or touring the country with his two boys and his partner, Alli, in their Airstream.
Alli Waddell
Cofounder / CEO
Alli Waddell stands for radical honesty, self-awareness, and self-love and believes, “Only when we heal ourselves can we heal the world.”
She has been recognized as an expert in the wellness industry for nearly two decades, empowering people to create and maintain healthy and happy lives. As the CEO and co-founder at Illumma, Austin’s premier ketamine infusion clinic, Alli believes in conducting psychedelic care with the highest level of ethics and empathy. Allowing others to be fully seen and heard enables them to feel the safety they need to heal, which is the space she has created at Illumma.
Through her decades of work as a coach, speaker, and mental health advocate, she is a lifeline of healing and holistic well-being. She stands as an example of what healing and fulfilling owning your story can look like. Everyone is put on this earth with a purpose and a mission: to express their light. But trauma and life circumstances can often cause that light to dim, blocked out by fear, depression, and anxiety. At Illumma, Alli helps people shine bright again. Patients rediscover, remember, and reconnect with the amazing spirit previously just beyond their reach. Illumma provides tools for lifelong personal transformation.
Michelle DeLeon, FNP-C
Clinical Director
Michelle DeLeon, APRN, FNP-C, is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner who has been working in healthcare for over 20 years. Her career started as a paramedic and emergency room nurse.
Michelle pursued her nurse practitioner degree because she saw the toll that a lifetime of poor self-care takes on the body, and she wanted to explore ways to prevent chronic disease and improve quality of life. She worked in family practice for three years under the traditional healthcare model and saw how rare it was for a patient to have the tools and support to improve their quality of life. She decided to study functional medicine, which has a focus on ‘root cause analysis’ of chronic conditions, where it became very apparent that mental wellness was a common theme among her most healthy patients. This began her journey into studying mental wellness and the role that psychedelic-assisted therapy plays in improving our quality of life. She feels honored to be a part of the Illumma team and to be involved in helping our clients find meaning and purpose in their lives through healing.
Karlee Jeffrey
Operations Coordinator
Meet Karlee! Our Park Ranger turned Operations Coordinator. After sustaining an injury in the field, Karlee decided to step away from working in the great outdoors.
A difficult, but incredibly rewarding decision. She landed at Illumma and was met with a community that fostered healing and self growth, and she quickly found that she had a passion for helping others on their own healing journeys.
Beyond the clinic walls, her heart lies with the natural world. Whether capturing moments through the lens of a camera or exploring the wilderness and observing wildlife, she finds connection and inspiration in the beauty of the natural world. In her spare time, practicing Tai Chi serves as a meditative outlet, providing balance and serenity amidst life’s hustle and bustle. The best part of her job is teaching others about the transformative power of ketamine therapy, and then getting to see client’s transformations firsthand.
Sam Pribble
Clinical Care Coordinator
Meet Sam Pribble, our vibrant Clinical Care Coordinator at Illumma! With a degree from the University of Auckland, they bring expertise and a warm touch to their role.
Sam’s heart is as big as their love for nature, where they find solace and inspiration. Outside of work, you’ll often catch them working on intricate embroidery projects. The best part of their job? Connecting with new people every day and witnessing their lives transform as a result of our care.
Brittany May, FNP-BS
Nurse Practitioner
Brittany May, APRN, FNP-BC, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. Brittany was born and raised in Kansas, receiving her Bachelor of Science, emphasis in nutrition, with a Summa Cum Laude distinction from Kansas State University.
She then graduated at the top of her class with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. Luke’s College of Nursing in Kansas City. She obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University in Illinois with Cum Laude distinction. Brittany has over ten years of nursing experience, specializing in neurology and cardiology. As an advocate for self-care and a member of the Illumma team, Brittany is committed to helping others discover optimal mental health and quality of life.
Abby Giovacchini, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner
Abby was working in primary care and hormone medicine as an NP when she began to see the toll that mental illness takes on so many.
Through her journey with mental health, she has found a place at Illumma to help others reconnect with their true selves and the light within. Meditation and affirmations are a daily priority and practice for her mental health. Abby grew up in Maryland and now lives in Wimberley with her husband and dogs and enjoys movement through running and yoga, has way too many house plants, and spends a lot of time in the kitchen and outdoors. Abby is one of a minimal number of providers in the country who is certified as a ketamine provider through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute and ASKP. She is thrilled to be a part of the Illumma team.
Ben Dunford, EMT-P
Lead Infusionist
With over six years of experience as a firefighter and paramedic, along with an associate’s degree in emergency services,
Ben brings a unique blend of expertise and compassion to the field of ketamine therapy. Passionate about mental health, Ben is dedicated to providing personalized care and support to those seeking healing and growth. His approach is characterized by empathy, kindness and a genuine commitment to making a positive impact.
Hannah Scott, RN
Infusionist
Hannah Scott, a soulful healer with four years of nursing experience, embarked on her transformative journey at Villanova after delving into the depths of psychology at Penn State.
Beyond the realms of conventional medicine, she intertwines her ethereal energies as a certified yoga instructor and sound healer, driven by a profound connection to music and holistic vibrations. In the mystical tapestry of her life, she shares moments of serenity with her kindred spirit, Maverick, a wise Australian Shepherd companion.
Laura Evans, MA LMFT-S
Lead Ketamine Therapist
Laura Evans is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist-Supervisor and the Lead Therapist at Illumma who has extensive training in ketamine, including both individual and group ketamine certificates from the Psychedelic Research and Training Institute (PRATI).
Laura supports individuals, groups, and couples, as well as adolescents and their families across a wide range of presenting concerns (such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, relational and existential issues, and more), identities, and backgrounds, including neurodivergent and LGBTQ folks. Laura is passionate about working alongside those who have experienced developmental trauma as well as other therapists who are struggling. She hosts ketamine-assisted therapy retreats in addition to her sessions at the clinic.
Laura partners collaboratively with her clients, believing that they are the experts of their lives and that ketamine is like a key that unlocks the door to regain access to the innate healing capacity that exists inside all of us. Laura utilizes Internal Family Systems, Interpersonal Neurobiology, Polyvagal Theory, Attachment Theory, and more, and she is currently completing certification in Somatic Experiencing and Embodied Imagination. Laura’s strengths as a therapist are her curiosity, compassion, warmth and humor. She believes that trust and safety are the most important ingredients in the therapeutic relationship.
Laura emphasizes the importance of integration with clients and helps them craft these integration rituals and practices to maximize the benefits of ketamine-assisted therapy and the duration of these benefits. Laura believes that we are all on a journey of remembering our wholeness, and uses PRATI’s purpose of “restoring connection to the sacred: self, community, nature and spirit” to guide her work.
In her role as Lead Therapist, Laura manages the therapy team, develops programs and projects for the clinic, and offers training, supervision, and consultation to other professionals.
Laura is trained in MDMA-Assisted Therapy and psilocybin facilitation, and she looks forward to offering these services when they are available in the future.
Jordon Stanford, LMFT-A
Ketamine Therapy Team
Jordon Stanford LMFT-A holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography from Texas State University and a Master’s in Counseling from St. Edward’s University with focus on Marriage and Family Therapy.
He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate. He is also in training with the Multi-disciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies to do MDMA Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD.
Jordon is personally experienced with various psychedelic medicines, including ketamine, as well as spontaneous transcendent experiences. He has also worked with a diverse group of shamans and medicine practitioners. He practices Bikram Yoga, meditation, running, and extended plunges in freezing water.
Meghan Kane, LMFT-A
Ketamine Therapy Team
Meghan is a dedicated Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Texas State University and a Master’s degree from St. Edward’s University.
She has pursued specialized certifications in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy through Naropa University and MDMA Assisted Psychotherapy through the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS).
Meghan is profoundly humbled to walk alongside you on your path of transformation, serving as a compassionate witness to your experiences. With a rich background in psychedelic medicines and non-ordinary states of consciousness, she fosters a safe and nurturing space for deep exploration. Her therapeutic approach combines compassionate understanding, genuine warmth, and unwavering curiosity, all while deeply honoring the uniqueness of your individual journey, identity, and cultural background.
As a therapist, Meghan integrates a diverse array of therapeutic modalities, including Internal Family Systems (parts work), mindfulness practices, attachment sciences, and depth psychology. Through this integrative approach, she offers steadfast support as you embark on the profound journey toward self-discovery and healing.
Outside of her therapeutic practice, Meghan finds solace in the companionship of her family, spending time in nature, reading and cultivating mindfulness to maintain a grounded and centered presence.
Marci Jacobs, M.S. LPC
Ketamine Therapy Team
Marci loves being a psychedelic therapist– like, a lot. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and earned her BS in Psychology from Texas State University and her MS in Counseling from Southern Methodist University.
She also completed the Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy certification through PRATI. Marci thinks the integration of psychedelics with psychotherapy is a science and also an art form. She holds equal respect for the neuroscience behind this medicinal use and a deep reverence for the symbols, emotions, and depth that come from a psychedelic experience.
Working with Marci means working with the whole self– mind, body, and spirit. She intentionally brings a down-to-earth and caring presence to her sessions. When not working, Marci is happiest in the sunshine, well-fed, or playing with her kitty and dog.
Shannon Stavinoha, PhD
Ketamine Therapy Team
Shannon is a licensed psychologist who works with people from a variety of different backgrounds and across a broad range of human experiences. She has completed the PRATI psychedelic-assisted therapy certification training program.
In her work, Shannon has found that ketamine can be an extremely powerful tool for facilitating self-exploration and an invitation to unlock your inner healer. She believes her role in this process is to act as the guide or facilitator of this journey.
As a therapist, Shannon feels grateful to help clients along their journeys and share in their experiences. Overall, she works from a humanistic, holistic, and integrative perspective. She sees how we all exist and grow in the context of our relationships — to ourselves, our loved ones, and the world around us. She views therapy as a collaborative process centered around your preferences and goals as the client.
Shannon will share many different strategies to help you in your process, including strength-based interventions, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and mindfulness practices. Her approach is warm and relational; she will be curious and compassionate as she helps you share your story and develop greater awareness to encourage your self-healing process.
Therapy works best when you have an authentic relationship with your therapist. It’s Shannon’s goal to create a safe, affirming, and collaborative space for you, so you can identify and move towards what you want in life. She welcomes you to bring your identities, cultures, and rituals into your work together.
Hannah Sharper, LMSW
Ketamine Therapy Team
Hannah is a Licensed Master Social Worker with a Bachelor’s degree in Film from Colorado College and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin.
She has undergone training in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy with Illumma and Heart-Centered Therapy.
Hannah believes in the power of humor and creativity, and uses both to help clients explore their past, present, and future experiences. She is passionate about psychedelic medicine, and sees ketamine as a tool in activating the mind’s innate capacity to heal. Operating from the standpoint that lasting change stems from radical self-compassion, Hannah helps clients move beyond shame by creating space for the full spectrum of thoughts, emotions, and sensations.
With an approach rooted in attachment, mindfulness, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Hannah guides teens, adults, and couples in discovering their own version of wellbeing. When not therapist-ing, Hannah enjoys being outside, petting animals, and getting as cozy as humanly possible.
Rebecca Kline, LMFT-A
Ketamine Therapy Team
Rebecca is a licensed Marriage and Family Associate with a unique journey that combines her experiences. in military service and a passion for counseling.
She earned her Bachelor of Science while proudly serving in the United States Navy and furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Arts in Counseling from St. Edward’s University. She has undergone specialized ketamine-assisted psychotherapy training through Fluence Academy, embracing a holistic approach to healing. Her practice is rooted in the belief that we are already whole, and psychedelic medicines can guide us in our journey to heal and remember our true selves. By integrating holistic practices and her personal experiences with altered states of consciousness, she can guide you on a profound journey of self-discovery and healing.