William (Bill) Richards, M.Div, STM, Ph.D., author of Sacred Knowledge: Psychedelics & Religious Experiences (Psychedelic als Bron van Heling: Ervringsverhalen en belangrijhe Doorbraken in Dutch translation), is a theologically-trained clinical psychologist who has contributed to psychedelic research since 1963 at the University of Goettingen, the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Sunstone Therapies. With colleagues, he has investigated the promise of psychedelics in medical treatment, notably in palliative care, and also in the training of mental health and religious professionals. He consults and teaches internationally, notably at the California Institute of Integral Studies, the Integrative Psychiatry Institute and Mind Medicine Australia.