Psychedelic Assisted Therapy
Psychedelic-assisted therapy relates to a session involving the active use of a psychedelic, in which a client is often encouraged to turn their attention inward and be present with their internal experience during the peak of the experience. I am a trauma-informed therapist and remain present in the room to hold space and create a container of safety, and may assist as needed through talk therapy, adjusting music, contemplative exercises, or other means. Clients are encouraged at times to wear eyeshades and headphones and bring a gentle spirit of curiosity and inquisitiveness to material that arises in this non-ordinary state of consciousness. The concept of an inner-healing intelligence is often emphasized, and the therapist assists in processing and integrating any insights that arise from this space as the effects of the medicine begin to wane.
I offer psychedelic integration therapy sessions to aid in processing insights, challenging content, and other material from personal psychedelic use.
Why Psychedelic-Assisted Integration
Many people are using psychedelics for their own healing. Microdosing, macrodosing, curious, or planning a psychedelic trip? Get a therapist on your side.
Psychedelics can open up very dramatic or significant thoughts and feelings, ways of viewing others, and how you view yourself. It may bring to light new goals you have, things you want to do, say, or move towards.
Once you have these experiences, integration is the process that turns your intentions into reality. It makes your insights tangible.
Some examples of integration work:
Turning a feeling of oneness or spiritual significance into a daily practice. This can allow you to touch that big feeling every day.
Processing any frightening or disturbing experiences that may arise from self-guided psychedelic use.
Taking an insight such as “I need to forgive myself and others” into a tangible practice or process.
Having a safe space to process thoughts and feelings before making any large decisions.
Psychedelic integration is an essential part of the psychedelic experience because it is the activity that makes the insights real. It is work that moves the insight from the conceptual to the actual.
Psilocybin and MDMA Therapy
In November voters approved Proposition 122, granting Coloradans legal access to a promising modality for treating mental health ailments. In addition to decriminalizing psychedelic mushrooms (psilocybin) for personal use, this legislation created a framework for psilocybin to be used in mental healthcare and therapeutic settings under the supervision of trained guides.
Psilocybin is currently in clinical trials as a treatment for a variety of mental health conditions. It’s expected to become an FDA-approved treatment in 2023-2024. You can search for a clinical trial here.
MDMA-assisted therapy is currently in clinical trials as a treatment for a variety of mental health conditions. Trials for the treatment of PTSD are the furthest along, and the FDA is expected to review this data in 2024. The FDA has already approved large-scale studies for MDMA, recognizing it as a breakthrough therapy. Trials for other conditions are underway.
It’s expected to become an FDA-approved treatment in 2023-2024. You can search for a clinical trial here.
