Our Team

At Ibogaine Clinic, we are working 24/7 to ensure you are at your best while you are in the process of reclaiming your life

Cole Barressi serves as the Chief Operations Officer at Ibogaine By David Dardashti.
His dedication to the field is rooted in personal experience, having received treatment for opioid addiction and trauma.

Background & Experience

Graduate of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in Operations and Finance Minor in Psychology.
He has over 10 years of experience with Ibogaine, working directly beside founder David Dardashti and learning the treatment and protocols.
He helps oversee the expansion of new Ibogaine treatment centers focused on mental health, physical wellness, and overall well-being.
In his role, he focuses on maximizing operational efficiencies and ensuring the highest quality of ibogaine therapy is provided in the safest environment.

Gavriel Dardashti is a pioneering Data Scientist, Lead Researcher, and executive strategist transforming the landscape of alternative medicine through rigorous analytics and innovative clinical modeling. As the son of the clinic’s founder, Gavriel serves as the chief architect of its modernization, bridging the gap between pioneering ibogaine therapies and exact, data-driven medical science. Backed by a Master of Science from Florida International University, he applies high-level academic rigor to orchestrate the organization’s scientific research, financial scaling, and global public presence.

Lead Medical Doctor:

Rigorous Medical Screening: Evaluating comprehensive blood panels, liver function tests, and 12-lead ECGs to approve or disqualify candidates, specifically screening for risks like prolonged QT intervals or dangerous drug interactions.
Treatment Supervision & Dosing: Determining the precise, weight-based dosage of ibogaine hydrochloride or total alkaloid extract, and directly overseeing the administration process.
Continuous Cardiac Monitoring: Overseeing real-time telemetry and vital sign monitoring during the acute psychedelic phase to immediately identify arrhythmias, bradycardia, or dangerous blood pressure fluctuations.
Emergency Management: Serving as the highest medical authority for acute interventions, maintaining readiness to execute Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) protocols or administer emergency medications if cardiac or respiratory distress occurs.
Clinical Leadership: Directing the nursing and support staff, establishing standard operating procedures for patient care, and ensuring the facility maintains hospital-grade safety standards.
Post-Treatment Stabilization: Monitoring the patient’s physical recovery, managing post-treatment side effects (like ataxia or insomnia), and medically clearing the patient for discharge or transition into psychological integration programs.

I am a Medical Doctor and Surgeon with extensive experience in emergency medicine, pre-hospital care, and hospital care, gained in both public and private institutions. Throughout my career, I have worked as an emergency physician at the Mexican Red Cross (CuautitlÃ¡n Branch), as well as at Playamed, where I have worked since 2021, and at Costamed Hospital in Cozumel and Playa del Carmen as a general practitioner. My professional training includes a rotating internship at the ISSSTE Tacuba and social service at the ISEM (State of Mexico Institute of Social Security) in the JocotitlÃ¡n Rural Health Center, State of Mexico.

I also served as an emergency response operator for Civil Protection and the Red Cross between 2004 and 2014, which strengthened my responsiveness, leadership, and ability to work under pressure. I have complemented my clinical experience with various certifications and courses, including ATLS, ACLS, PHTLS, BTLS, professional lifeguard, and intermediate mechanical ventilation.

I have a working knowledge of English and French (80%), which allows me to communicate effectively with patients and multidisciplinary teams, especially in international and tourist environments. Additionally, I possess administrative knowledge related to the Ministry of Health, as well as proficiency in Windows, macOS, and Linux software. My professional goal is to join an institution that will allow me to continue growing and establishing myself, contributing my clinical experience, teamwork skills, and dedication to service, particularly in emergency and critical care settings, always with a humane, responsible, and professional approac

Helping guide clients through a jungian psychology method prior to treatment

Florencia Rosado is a visual artist and art therapist from Argentina, currently based in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts from the Faculty of Arts at the National University of Córdoba and has completed postgraduate studies in Art Therapy at the Faculty of Psychology of the same university.

Her practice brings together art and creative exploration as means of fostering expression, perception, and self-awareness, creating spaces for sensitive exploration and personal growth through artistic processes.

Susana helps clients heal through mind and body work. She helps clients process emotional well being through a series of body movements and dance therapy while having them share about their experience

As a psychologist specialized in psychoanalysis, I approach healing as a deeply personal journey that encompasses the psychological, emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions of human experience.

My work integrates psychoanalytic insight with a holistic and spiritually informed perspective, creating a space where individuals can explore their unconscious patterns, unresolved emotional experiences, and personal history while reconnecting with their inner world and deeper sense of meaning.

Within the context of ibogaine treatment, I offer psychological support throughout the healing journey, with a particular focus on emotional preparation, self-exploration, and post-treatment integration. I help patients reflect on their experiences, explore the feelings and insights that emerge, and begin to understand how these may relate to longstanding patterns, relationships, and ways of experiencing themselves and the world.

My intention is to accompany each person in reconnecting with themselves, cultivating emotional resilience, and exploring the possibility of living with greater awareness, authenticity, and inner alignment.

My role is to receive guests from their arrival, clearly explaining the clinic’s structure and protocols, as well as providing support throughout their stay.

oversees clinical safety protocols and patient management throughout the screening, administration, and recovery phases. With specialized expertise in acute medical oversight, Dr. Kuri directs comprehensive intake evaluations, rigorous laboratory screening, and continuous monitoring to ensure maximum treatment safety. Focus areas include real-time hemodynamic tracking, baseline and continuous 12-lead ECG/telemetry interpretation for cardiac stability, and the strict management of physiological vitals before, during, and post-treatment.

After experiencing a transformative recovery as a patient at Ibogaine by David Dardashti, David was inspired to pursue a career in professional counseling. Now a Licensed Therapist, he combines clinical expertise with firsthand insight to coordinate admissions and provide dedicated therapeutic support to those beginning their own journeys.

Hello, my name is Karen Jacqueline Ortiz León. I am a Registered Nurse (RN), professional license number 14915434. I speak two languages: Spanish and English.
Education: I studied at the Ignacio Chávez University School of Nursing from 2019 to 2023.
Work Experience: I have three years of work experience. I completed my clinical rotations at the IMSS-Bienestar Hospital in Solidaridad, Quintana Roo from 2022 to 2023, and I worked for one year at the IMSS-Bienestar Integral Hospital in Kantunilkin from 2023 to 2024.

She is creating a safe and productive environment for both staff and clients

César Alejandro Marín Martínez holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from ICESST, with additional training in Health Services Management and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He completed his clinical rotations at the IMSS (Mexican Social Security Institute) secondary care level, developing skills in hospital care, safety protocols, NANDA diagnoses, and clinical patient management. He is characterized by his responsibility, emotional intelligence, and ability to work under pressure, combining his clinical and administrative expertise to provide comprehensive, high-quality care.

Whitney brings a deep well of compassion and expertise to our clinic as the Aftercare Coordinator. With 23 years of experience as a massage therapist and an extensive background in holistic healing and self-care, she is dedicated to helping patients navigate their post-treatment integration. Because Whitney has successfully gone through the ibogaine treatment herself, she offers profound empathy, firsthand understanding, and grounded guidance to support every individual on their unique healing journey.

As the lead therapist, this role involves managing and coordinating a comprehensive range of clinical and holistic services to ensure the utmost well-being, safety, and individual care for all patients throughout their recovery journey. A key focus of this position is integrating the post-ibogaine treatment experience with trauma-informed yoga therapy. By combining physical postures with mindful breathwork, this integrated approach helps restore the mind-body connection, down-regulate and regulate the central nervous system, release deeply held somatic trauma, and promote overall emotional and physical recovery within the neuroplastic window following treatment.

Traditional Chinese Medicine therapist with 9 years of experience, graduated from the Alcocer Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture and certified by Tian Jin University in China, in addition to having a certification in traditional Thai massage from ITM Chiang Mai, a master’s degree in Japanese Reiki and other diplomas in massage and complementary therapies. I recently got my certification for Qi Gong therapy.

I have 15 years of experience in general maintenance. I love nature and plants so I’m always taking courses of gardening and pool in order to maintain the property up to standards.

I’m in charge of the cleaning of the facility and the bedding clothes. I make sure everything is disinfected before and after each guest, I also have a taste for the kitchen so I will help cooking whenever is necessary.

I’m in the cleaning department, I like to help everyone around me and I will be very happy to fulfill all guest’s expectations.

7 years as a sound and vibration therapist specializing in quartz crystal healing and ancestral instruments

3 years as a massage therapist

Relaxation massage

Deep tissue massage

Cupping massage

3 years as a therapist in Medical Biomagnetism

I have been doing this work for 28 years.
I am a certified esthetician, also a certified acupuncturist and Ayurvedic therapist.

I offer Ayurvedic therapies such as herbal massages, head oil treatments, pindas (poultices filled with medicinal herbs), lymphatic drainage massages, relaxation massages, back and neck deep tissue massages, reflexology, acupuncture, auriculotherapy, electroacupuncture, acupuncture lifting treatments, and Reiki therapy.

Manages bookkeeping operations for the clinic while actively identifying opportunities to enhance the overall patient experience.

Responsible for ensuring patients our comfortable in a clean space and our receiving their necessary nutritional needs

As the Head of the Culinary Department, our Executive Chef brings a wealth of international culinary expertise to support our patients’ healing journeys. Understanding that deep physical and spiritual recovery requires profound nourishment, our Chef has designed a culinary program that focuses on restorative, nutrient-dense, and highly comforting meals.

With extensive experience mastering a diverse range of global cuisines—including traditional Japanese, fresh Mediterranean, authentic Italian, and adaptable fusion dishes—our Chef ensures that every meal is both a culinary delight and a cornerstone of the recovery process.

Key Highlights:

Global Culinary Expertise: Decades of experience crafting authentic Italian, Mediterranean, Japanese, and diverse international cuisines.
Healing-Focused Menu Design: Creates balanced, grounding, and nutrient-rich meals specifically tailored to support patients undergoing ibogaine treatment.
Dietary Adaptability: Highly versatile and capable of customizing menus for any dietary restriction, allergy, or personal preference (vegan, gluten-free, anti-inflammatory, etc.).
Department Leadership: Oversees all kitchen operations, food sourcing, and staff to maintain the highest standards of safety, quality, and hospitality.

“Food is a vital part of the recovery process. My goal is to bring the comfort, flavor, and nourishment of the world’s best cuisines directly to our patients, ensuring their bodies are fully supported while they heal.”

I studied in Valladolid University, Yucatan where I obtained my Registered Nurse credentials. I speak two languages: English and Spanish. I worked in the Emergency Department in the Yucatan for over 5 years, and I have been working with ibogaine as a Nurse Manager for 4 years. My passion is helping people with compassionate, empathy, and integrity.

My passion is cooking. I really like everyone to enjoy the meals, so I can adjust the menu according to each person’s taste, allergies or food preferences. I will do my best to please every single guest we have at the clinic.

Responsible for safely transporting patients between the airport and the facility, as well as providing assistance with other accommodations.

Our Team

Cole Barressi

Gavriel Dardashti

Antonio Lecuanda

Alejandro Villanueva

Tania Gonzales

Florencia Rosado

Susana Franco

Antonela Di Meglio

Serena Iturralde

Suhaila Kuri

David Douglas

Karen Ortiz

Diana Sanchez

César Alejandro Marín Martínez

Whitney Nuckolls

Veronica Gonzalez

Irving Carretero

Angel Valadez

Karina Ordoñez

Mary Hernandez

Fidel Nieto

Emanuela Rasoira

Dania Oliver

Mariam Tlapa Davila

Carol

Tania Marel De La Torre

Metzi Hernandez

Juan Jose Betancort

Felipe Dzib

Eva Barajas
Lead Cook

Eduardo Iturralde

Our Team

Cole Barressi

Gavriel Dardashti

Antonio Lecuanda

Alejandro Villanueva

Tania Gonzales

Florencia Rosado

Susana Franco

Antonela Di Meglio

Serena Iturralde

Suhaila Kuri

David Douglas

Karen Ortiz

Diana Sanchez

César Alejandro Marín Martínez

Whitney Nuckolls

Veronica Gonzalez

Irving Carretero

Angel Valadez

Karina Ordoñez

Mary Hernandez

Fidel Nieto

Emanuela Rasoira

Dania Oliver

Mariam Tlapa Davila

Carol

Tania Marel De La Torre

Metzi Hernandez

Juan Jose Betancort

Felipe Dzib

Eva BarajasLead Cook

Eduardo Iturralde

Eva Barajas
Lead Cook