Psychedelic Preparation and Integration

Although I am a trained psychedelic-assisted therapist, I am not currently offering sessions involving the active use of psychedelic substances. However, I offer both preparation and integration sessions for those who are preparing to explore psychedelics on their own or in guided settings, as well as integration for those who have already had experiences and are seeking to deepen meaning.

Psychedelics are powerful substances that can be allies in your own journey. However, without proper preparation and integration work, these experiences can be retraumatizing or the potential benefits can be dropped. Preparation and integration allows for a better understanding of the substance, tools and ways to actually translate what was experienced with the psychedelic into long-standing behavioral changes/changes in patterns.

I am trained to provide preparation and integration for work with psilocybin (magic mushrooms), ketamine, and MDMA. Although cannabis is not considered a classic psychedelic, I include this powerful substance as a tool to work with that also greatly benefits from preparation and integration.

Preparation sessions
Preparation sessions are designed to set you up for the most safe and intentional experience possible. Together we explore the psychedelic you will be using including potential side effects and appropriate dosing. We also explore the importance of the setting you will be in, and the role that intention setting plays within your experience. We also look honestly at expectations. These can support the work or quietly get in the way of it. We build tools to help you navigate whatever arises with greater confidence and presence. Preparation can be completed in as little as one session or spread across several, depending on where you are and what feels most supportive. This can be collaborated between you and me.

Integration sessions
Integration sessions allow for the digesting of the experience to occur, as well as an exploration of how to apply what was gained into practical, concrete behavioral change. We explore the window in which neuroplasticity (the brain's natural capacity to change) is still quite strong, and take advantage of that time to instill wanted behaviors and rework patterns that no longer serve. Without integration, beautiful and fertile material can be felt, but then slip away without ever getting a chance to take root. Think of the psychedelic experience as the seed. Integration is how we actually plant it.

I treat these sessions as therapy sessions, and out of pocket costs are $150/50-55 minutes. Insurance is accepted. To see a full list of insurance providers I am in-network with, please refer to the FAQ tab under individual therapy.

Psychedelic-assisted work is a powerful tool. Like all tools, it is not a panacea and it will not be the right fit for everyone. There’s no shame in that. This work tends to be most beneficial for those who feel genuinely curious and open, who have a stable enough foundation to meet what arises, and who are ready to do the integrative work that follows. It can be particularly supportive for those navigating depression, anxiety, grief, existential questioning, or a felt sense of being stuck or disconnected from themselves.

This work may not be appropriate for those with a personal or family history of psychosis, an active substance use disorder, those currently in acute crisis, or those who are not yet in a place of enough inner stability to safely meet what these experiences can bring up. There are also certain medical conditions and medications that are not safe or compatible with psychedelic use. This is something we can explore honestly together before any preparation work begins.