Many people are using psychedelics without the right preparation or guidance. Integration of these experiences is crucial to helping the individual make changes and gain insights that affect their daily life and have a lasting effect (Amada, N., & Shane, J.,2022). From the aforementioned study:
Results indicated that perceived benefits to narrative self-functioning is one pathway through which integration of psychedelic experience may promote optimal well-being for both clinical and non-clinical populations.1
From a harm reduction perspective, using substances like MDMA or psilocybin can be carefully and non-judgementally thought about and discussed with your therapist. This includes looking at minimising the possible risks and maximising the potential benefits, understanding the role of set and setting as well as working with intentions. Managing expectations is another key aspect of harm reduction, as well as discussing aspects of safety and consent. (Gorman et al, 20212).
If an individual is committed to undertaking a psychedelic experience, or has already had one, therapy that incorporates elements of preparation and integration can be valuable, always minimising risks and enhancing potential benefit in service of personal growth.
Various preparation and integration techniques may be offered in therapy, including non-verbal, arts-based approaches, journaling, mindfulness or movement practices and time spent in nature.
Preparation sessions consist of establishing a trusting relationship with the therapist, getting to know the pieces of the individual’s puzzle, installing practices that lead to a safer psychedelic experience. Gorman et al state “…preparation for a psychedelic experience is guided by a patient’s reasons for using a psychedelic. The therapist must inquire about the nature of the patient’s motivations.” In my experience, many people find enough value in these preparation sessions so as not to consume a psychedelic, but to rather continue with the therapeutic work.
Integration sessions offer a space for meaning-making and drawing out whatever value and insights can be learned from the psychedelic experience. According to Gorman et al,
“Psychedelic integration is a process in which the patient integrates the insights of their experience into their life, and Psychedelic Harm reduction and Integration is a method of supporting that in the clinical consultation room3.”
Furthermore, PRATI (Psychedelic Training and Research Institute) states that
“Integration provides a space for clients to gain clarity, perspective, and wisdom from their medicine sessions… can help people to understand, contextualize, and make use of their experience in a meaningful and lasting way.”4
Essentially, the approach to working with psychedelics is one of harm reduction – reducing the negative possibilities and optimising positive ones, all in the service of improving the client’s quality of life and keeping them safe and healthy. It is non-judgemental by nature and does not encourage nor discourage the individual, who has the agency to make their own choices.
To find out more contact Melissa.
References
- Amada, N., & Shane, J. (2022). Self-Actualization and the Integration of Psychedelic Experience: The Mediating Role of Perceived Benefits to Narrative Self-Functioning. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/00221678221099680 ↩︎ ↩︎
- Gorman I, Nielson EM, Molinar A, Cassidy K, Sabbagh J. Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration: A Transtheoretical Model for Clinical Practice. Front Psychol. 2021 Mar 15;12:645246. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.645246. PMID: 33796055; PMCID: PMC8008322. ↩︎
- Gorman I, Nielson EM, Molinar A, Cassidy K, Sabbagh J. Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration: A Transtheoretical Model for Clinical Practice. Front Psychol. 2021 Mar 15;12:645246. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.645246. PMID: 33796055; PMCID: PMC8008322 ↩︎
- https://pratigroup.org/psychedelic-therapy/methods-and-approaches-for-psychedelic-therapy-integration/ ↩︎
Melissa McWalter 