PSYCHEDELIC INTEGRATION
Psychedelic Integration refers to the work done in preparation and following a psychedelic experience. Transformational experiences, whether assisted by psychedelics or otherwise, can provide us with new insights, attitudes and feelings. The benefits and challenges of these experiences can then be integrated into our day-to-day lives through work done with the support of a therapist.
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I can’t help you with referrals to underground guides, or any person who administers or sells illegal substances, though I can help connect you with state licensed service centers and their licensed facilitators
I don’t currently offer sessions while under the use of psychedelics/ or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy
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If you’re thinking about using psychedelics, this is what I can help with:
Support you in making informed choices, using a harm reduction approach and providing education, where you can assess risks and safety of use
Work with you to identify your goals and intentions
Make referrals to experiences or practitioners offering non-substance induced alternate states of consciousness and alternate means for meeting your intentions and goals
Integrate and embody insights gained from your experience into your daily life
Work with you to make sense of uncontrolled or unsafe experiences that were scary or disorienting
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Psychedelic integration can look different from more traditional forms of therapy. If it makes sense, we may meet short term (3-6 sessions) or as needed. If you’re already seeing a therapist, I can provide support alongside and work with your therapist to deepen the integration of your experience.
It can sometimes be helpful to be referred to other practitioners offering non-substance induced alternate states of consciousness (art therapists, meditation guides, breathwork).
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I approach psychedelic integration from a harm reduction framework. It’s also grounded in my training in psychedelic Integration through Fluence and my work as an Adherence Rater for the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Phase 3 PTSD and MDMA-assisted therapy trials.
What this actually means is that in this approach there is an emphasis on your autonomy and self determination, as well as encouragement to educate yourself about risks and benefits of various ways you might engage with psychedelics.
During the integration process, we’ll draw from mindfulness, somatic approaches and sometimes art-based and writing tools.
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Research in the area of psychedelics has been evolving quickly over the last decade and it’s gotten a lot of attention.
Clinical trials have mostly been focused on MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of PTSD, psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression and end of life distress. The research is growing to include anxiety, and eating disorders among many other mental and physical health issues.
Given that the preliminary data suggests evidence of substantial improvement over existing therapies, the FDA has named both psilocybin and MDMA as breakthrough therapies. This has meant expedited reviews and perhaps the potential of approval in the near future.
There’s a lot of discussion going on about all this, especially here in Oregon as Measure 109 has rolled out.
Let’s Connect if you want to talk more.
