Psychadelic Preparation & Integration Therapy
Increasing clinical research demonstrates significant results in the use of psychedelic substances in combination with psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD, anxiety, addictions, and other mental health conditions.
In Canada, these interventions are currently only available to people participating in clinical research trials or attending a clinic that provides psychedelics (ie: Ketamine Clinics), however, many people continue to use psychedelics out of the medical context for the purposes of healing, ceremonial use, and/or recreational use, but lack access to professional therapeutic services help integrate their experiences.
More and more in my clinical practice, I am noticing that individuals are not attaining the desired goal with psychedelics, and this is largely due to lack of adequate preparation and integration.
Psychedelic Preparation Therapy is a harm reduction approach that focuses on preparing the mind/body for the psychedelic experience. If you are considering attending a Ketamine Clinic and/or considering independent psychedelic use you may want to consider Psychedelic Preparation Therapy. Psychedelic Preparation Therapy often involves EMDR, Ego State/Internal Family System approaches, Mindfulness and Neurofeedback.
Psychedelic Preparation Therapy can include:
Assessing emotional/psychological readiness,
Preparing parts of self for the experience
Engaging in some trauma resolution work prior to engaging in psychedelic use
Developing emotional regulation strategies and developing internal resource states
Receiving information about the specific psychedelic substance being used, its effects, the experience you may encounter and potential risks
Supporting with anxiety/fears associated with psychedelic use and
Setting intention for the experience.
Psychedelic Integration Therapy focuses on providing a safe and non-judgemental space for individuals to process and integrate their psychedelic experiences into their daily life including the positive and challenging experiences associated with their journeys.
Psychedelic Integration Therapy supports with meaning making of these experiences in mind/body. Other forms of therapy are often used to support with the integration such as Mindfulness, Ego-State/Internal Family Systems, EMDR, and somatic focused therapies.
Disclaimer: I do not act as a Psychedelic Guide (those who provide support during or immediately after). Instead, I can provide harm-reduction approaches for those preparing for a self-guided psychedelic experience and/or for integration support for a past-psychedelic experience
Psychedelic Integration Therapy assumes a harm-reduction approach to psychedelics. I do not promote or condone their use and recognize the physiological and psychological risks in doing so. I am not a medical doctor and do not run a medical clinic or clinical trials. I do not offer psychedelics or make referrals to places that do provide psychedelic treatment.
