Byron Metcalf, Ph.D., is a transpersonal guide and educator, shamanic practitioner, researcher, teacher, and professional musician. Byron holds a Ph.D. in transpersonal psychology, a master’s degree in counseling psychology, and is a certified graduate of Grof Transpersonal Training and Eupsychia Institute’s Psycho-Spiritual Integration programs. Byron has trained, studied, and worked with shamans, healers, and psycho-spiritual teachers from many parts of the world including Stan Grof, Jack Kornfield, Hameed Ali, John Davis, Ph.D., Angeles Arrien, Ph.D., Jose and Lena Stevens, Sandra Ingerman, Don Americo Yabar, and Jose Campos. For over two decades, Byron has been intensely involved in consciousness research and spiritual development, specializing in the transformative potential of alternative states of consciousness. As a drummer, percussionist and recording engineer, Byron produces music for deep inner exploration, breathwork, shamanic journeywork, body-oriented therapies, various meditation practices and the healing arts. Byron is also a graduate advisor for Prescott College’s counseling psychology master’s degree program.
Byron has conducted two formal research studies examining the healing potential of non-ordinary states of consciousness. “Examining the Effects of Holotropic Breathwork in the Treatment of Addictions” (1995) has been cited in several professional journal articles and Byron presented the results of this study at addiction conferences throughout the United States. He also served as a training consultant to various treatment centers and clinics educating on the efficacy of utilizing transpersonal approaches in addiction treatment. “Breathwork as a Shamanic Strategy” (1999) was an original component of Byron’s doctoral research that examined the effects of breathwork within a shamanic framework. Among several important outcome factors, the study confirmed the fundamental role that "intention" plays when working in non-ordinary states. Byron's doctoral research eventually became the catalyzing force behind the development of HoloShamanic Strategies, LLC. Both studies were published in the Inner Door, the official publication of the Association for Holotropic Breathwork International (AHBI).
Byron began developing the theoretical framework for HoloShamanic Integration™ in the late 1980s in response to clients’ requests for a deeper and expanded understanding of who they profoundly are, and to support their learning to function in the practical world from that deeper place. In 1999, his doctoral dissertation in transpersonal psychology (Shamanic Perspectives in Transpersonal Psychotherapy) focused on the core principles and dynamics of what has since evolved into HoloShamanic Integration™.
Byron recently retired from his professional counseling practice of over 20 years in order to devote his full energies to HoloShamanic Strategies, LLC, and its training program development, and also to allow more time in his recording studio.
Byron’s highly successful music business career spans over four decades and covers a wide variety of musical styles and genres. A professional drummer at age 15, Byron has played on several gold and platinum albums (most notably Kenny Rogers’ album “The Gambler”). He has performed at top concert venues including Carnegie Hall, The Greek Theater, The LA Forum, Universal Amphitheater, The Grand Ole Opry, and Wembley Arena (London), as well as headliner showrooms in Las Vegas, Reno, and Lake Tahoe. Byron also performed on The Tonight Show, The Grammy Awards, The American Music Awards, CMA Awards, ACM Awards, Fantasy Island, Hee Haw, Good Ole Nashville Music, and many others. Since 1988, Byron has focused his musical talents toward the healing arts, creating musical sequences for Holotropic Breathwork workshops, and facilitating men’s workshops and shamanic drumming circles and ceremonies. During the past decade, Byron has been producing solo CD projects and collaborating with other artists including Steve Roach, Mark Seelig, with Ron Oates, Jack Coddington, and several other musical guests. In 2005, Byron teamed up with The Monroe Institute to produce a “meta-music” version of Byron’s critically acclaimed “The Shaman’s Heart” (with Steve Roach) which includes Monroe’s Hemi-Sync technology embedded in the music tracks. Monroe will also release a meta-music version of Byron’s 2nd solo project “Not Without Risk” (re-sequenced and re-titled as “Spirit Gathering”) in late 2006.
Byron and his wife/partner, Shawn Cardinal, live with their 3 canine companions, Kalibur, Amber & Chula, in a beautiful retreat-like setting bordering the Prescott National Forest. Together they own and manage “The Prescott Center for the Healing Arts” - an office complex of healing arts professionals from a variety of disciplines.
BYRON METCALF, PH.D.