We’re seeing a paradigm shift currently in the research, development, and treatment of mental health disorders, where traditional psychotherapy and pharmaceuticals have plateaued. Clinical results for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies have proven both safe and effective in specific treatment-resistant disorders such as major depression, anxiety disorders including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance and alcohol abuse orders, as well as chronic pain conditions.
The therapeutic potential and decreasing stigma of psychedelic medicine has gained worldwide recognition, as well as FDA-approval in some areas. Medicines including psilocybin, ibogaine, mescaline (peyote), DMT (ayahuasca), cannabis, ketamine, MDMA, and LSD have shown great promise in clinical trials. In the U.S., some states have decriminalized certain substances and are leaning toward legalization, while others have legalized some for therapeutic use. In California, only ketamine has been legalized thus far.
Typically, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy programs involve three distinct stages:
(1) the pre-psychedelic journey preparation (involving medical/psychological assessment and intake
procedures, informed consent, “set and setting” considerations, and setting of intentions for the
journey)
(2) the psychedelic journey itself (involving medicine administration and experiencing of non-
ordinary states of consciousness)
(3) perhaps most importantly, the post-psychedelic journey integration process (which includes a
range of modalities, practices, and techniques to support one in retaining the benefits
and insights gained through the medicine journey)
*For those who have already experienced or are considering psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy,
I currently offer pre-psychedelic journey preparation and post-psychedelic integration services via
Google Meet.
To learn more, click here to arrange a consultation.