Table of Contents
- What is Psychedelic Integration Counseling?
- What Do I Do as a Counselor?
- What Do Psychedelic Integration Sessions Look Like?
- Signs That You Could Benefit From Psychedelic Integration Counseling
- How Can Psychedelic Integration Counseling Help?
- Techniques I Use
- Session Details
- Frequently Asked Questions
Although psychedelics have been around for ages, they’re definitely making a comeback in popular conversation. It’s not uncommon to find psychedelic-assisted therapy centers in cities spanning the globe, especially with it’s irrefutable effectiveness in studies and people sharing their wonderful stories of healing.
But with this comes the inevitable: Confident self-administering with the intent of healing, recreational use, and the whole spectrum of experiences that follow.
Psychedelics can be an incredibly powerful catalyst for exploring the depths of human experience. It is not a one-size-fits all method, nor is it the final solution. For some, it can be life-changing, and for others, a medical risk. We should be careful with the romanticization of its effects, and take a more grounded approach when considering the use of these substances.
Between the consideration, preparation, and processing, psychedelic integration is now beginning to enter the conversation, and for good reason.
If you have questions, don’t worry. I’d like to give you a peek at how I approach this.
What is Psychedelic Integration Counseling?
First and foremost, psychedelic integration counseling is a specialized form of support designed to help individuals process and make sense of their experiences with psychedelic substances.
Whether these experiences occurred in a therapeutic setting, during a retreat, or in a personal context, integration counseling provides a safe, non-judgmental space to explore the insights and challenges that arose during the experience and incorporate them into your everyday life.
You might be asking if psychedelic integration can only be done after an experience has been had- and the answer is no. You may be considering a decision to take part in one of these experiences and have the urge to prepare. This is also part of the integration process.
What Do I Do as a Counselor?
As a psychedelic integration counselor, my role is to guide you through the complex emotions, thoughts, and revelations that can emerge from psychedelic experiences. I help you navigate these experiences with clarity and intention, supporting you in making meaningful changes in your life based on the insights you’ve gained.
My approach is grounded in compassion and respect for your unique journey, and I work collaboratively with you to ensure that your integration process is both safe and effective. I keep an open space for you to share your emotional, spiritual, and physical experiences that emerged and stood out to you.
It’s important to note that in the circumstances of you preparing for an experience, I do not in any way encourage nor condone the use of these substances. I open the conversation with you in an unbiased way (as much as possible, anyways) and share the realistic and potential risks. You have full agency over your decisions, and it is not in my role to recommend you any substances.
If you have questions about dosing and their effects, please reach out to a psychiatrist or medical doctor for information.
What Do Psychedelic Integration Sessions Look Like?
I make sure that each integration session is tailored to your individual needs and the specific nature of your psychedelic experience.
During our sessions, we will discuss the content of your psychedelic journey, explore the emotions and thoughts that have arisen, and develop strategies to integrate these insights into your daily life. Many times, the psychedelic experience may open the door to memories, feelings, or ideas that were well hidden in our subconscious. Reflection is commonplace here, both inside and outside of the session.
Together, we will explore and unlock the threads that link those experiences to your conscious self. We’ll identify values, core beliefs, and the source of habits and belief systems that subliminally direct your decisions. This thread will allow a sense of deeper connection and insight.
By reinforcing these insights, you set the stage for sustainable change and long-term growth.
Signs That You Could Benefit From Psychedelic Integration Counseling
Tremendous experiences requires tremendous support. In the best case scenario, we have our close friends to lean on for that.
But sometimes, things may go just a bit too far. You might feel worried about being judged, or hesitation to share intimate experiences. Maybe you ruminate that you’re burdening your friends once again about the same topic that you just can’t process yourself.
You might consider seeking psychedelic integration counseling if you are:
- Feeling overwhelmed or confused by your psychedelic experience.
- Stuck in a thought loop that takes up a big portion of your mind space.
- Struggling to make sense of the insights or challenges that emerged.
- Wanting to incorporate the lessons learned into your everyday life.
- Experiencing lingering emotional or psychological effects after the experience.
- Seeking to use your experience as a catalyst for personal growth and healing.
- Preparing for an upcoming psychedelic experience and want to set clear intentions.
It’s more than understandable that intimate experiences would want to be kept private. Psychedelic integration counseling offers a confidential space to talk about them.
How Can Psychedelic Integration Counseling Help?
Often times, people describe their psychedelic experiences as life-changing, or at the very least, something they will never forget. But in the grand scale of life, these experiences are quite short.
Much of the integration process is done before or after the experiences, especially with all the new insights and tools equipped. While the therapeutic processes differ between each individual, both in time and in intensity, the idea is to approach all types of experiences compassionately.
The goal of psychedelic integration counseling is mainly to:
- Make sense of and process challenging or overwhelming experiences.
- Translate insights into actionable steps for personal and emotional growth.
- Develop a deeper understanding of yourself and your psyche.
- Cultivate mindfulness and presence in your daily life.
- Heal unresolved emotional wounds or trauma that may have surfaced.
- Integrate spiritual or existential revelations into a cohesive worldview.
- Foster long-term mental and emotional well-being.
- The opportunity to transform your experience into a powerful catalyst for positive change.
Techniques I Use
Typically, the first few sessions may focus a lot on the content of your experience, your thoughts and feelings about it, and what led to the idea. There may be underlying desires, views of yourself, or expectations that shaped this decision.
Further on in our sessions, I blend elements from several therapeutic techniques to support your integration process:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Helps in identifying and reframing any negative thought patterns that may have been amplified or revealed during your psychedelic experience.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encourages you to accept the thoughts and feelings that arose during your experience and to commit to actions that align with your values and long-term goals.
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Focuses on identifying strengths and resources that can help you apply the insights from your psychedelic experience to improve your daily life and well-being.
- MAPS Integration Model: Provides a structured framework for safely processing and integrating your psychedelic experiences, helping to transform insights into lasting psychological healing, emotional resilience, and personal growth.
Session Details
- Length: Each session lasts approximately 50 minutes, allowing us ample time to explore your concerns and work on strategies for improvement.
- Format: All of my sessions are held online via Google Meet, providing you with the flexibility and comfort of attending from your own space.
- Frequency: Sessions are typically held once a week or every other week, depending on your needs and preferences. I often recommend no longer than every other week so we can keep a flow. We can adjust the frequency as you progress and your situation evolves.
- Cancellation: I ask for 24h notice for cancellation or rescheduling, as it allows me time to reorganize my schedule. I understand that life happens, and not everyone has access to a concrete routine, so please contact me as soon as you can to reschedule within the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is psychedelic integration therapy?
- Psychedelic integration therapy is a process of making sense of and incorporating insights from psychedelic experiences into your everyday life. It helps you navigate the emotions, thoughts, and challenges that arise from these profound experiences.
Do I need to have had a recent psychedelic experience to benefit from integration counseling?
- Not necessarily. Whether your experience was recent or occurred some time ago, integration counseling can help you process and understand the impact it has had on your life.
Is this counseling only for people who have used psychedelics in a therapeutic setting?
- No, integration counseling is beneficial regardless of where or how your psychedelic experience took place. The focus is on understanding and integrating the experience, not on the context in which it occurred.
How many sessions will I need for integration counseling?
- The number of sessions varies based on individual needs. Some clients may feel they’ve integrated their experiences after a few sessions, while others may prefer ongoing support. We can tailor the approach to suit your personal journey.
Is psychedelic integration therapy safe?
- Yes, the therapeutic process is designed to be safe and supportive. We work at your pace, ensuring that you feel comfortable as we explore your experiences and the emotions they bring up.
Will our sessions be confidential?
- Yes, all sessions are completely confidential. I adhere to strict ethical guidelines to ensure your privacy and the safety of our conversations.
Can psychedelic integration counseling help with difficult or challenging experiences?
- Absolutely. Integration counseling is especially helpful for processing challenging or overwhelming psychedelic experiences. It provides a structured environment to explore and make sense of these experiences, facilitating healing and personal growth.
What should I do if I’m preparing for a future psychedelic experience?
- If you’re preparing for a psychedelic experience, integration counseling can help you set clear intentions and prepare mentally and emotionally. We can discuss strategies to maximize the benefits of the experience and plan for integration afterward.