Altered States, Plant Medicine & Psychedelic Integration
Whether it’s MDMA or psilocybin or LSD or ayahuasca, certain plant medicines and substances can open doors to seeing the world in a different and expanded way, while facilitating self-compassion. But while many people do have valuable experiences while they’re with the medicine, it may be less accessible in the normal waking state if the experience is not embodied. Bridge these experiences to ordinary, sensate reality is work that happens after the ceremony. It takes additional work.
Integrating altered states of consciousness back into ordinary reality requires time, safety and support. Psychedelic Integration therapy is focused on helping people piece together their experiences in a nonjudgmental, holistic and healing way. Integration involves reflection on both the thoughts and the feelings that one underwent, somatic processing of the experience, creative reflection, active dreaming work, exploration and assimilation of the gained insights into one’s life for lasting and positive change. Please note that I do not guide or supervise any psychedelic experiences and will never suggest or provide any psychedelic or other controlled substance to clients during the course of therapy. I will not offer information on how to access, buy, or sell any illegal substances. Clients should not plan to attend therapy sessions while under the influence of psychedelic substances or any other controlled substance, unless prescribed by a doctor. While the use of psychedelic substances remains tightly controlled in Canada, the reality is that many people use mind altering substances, such as: Ayahuasca, DMT, Ibogaine, Psilocybin, LSD, Peyote, MDMA, oral THC, and other psychedlics, in various settings and contexts. Recent research suggests that some psycho-active substances have the potential to catalyze profound psychological healing and spiritual growth. That said, they can also bring about dark and traumatic journeys. Today, some people use these mind altering plants and brews recreationally, while others use them as sacred spiritual teachers and healers. While people who had positive experiences with these plants often look for support in integrating and bridging between ordinary and non-ordinary realities, people who have traumatic experiences with these powerful substances may face many challenging feelings, conflicting thoughts, and symptoms of anxiety and trauma symptoms following their experiences. I work with people to help integrate both beautiful transformational journeys as well as dark and traumatic experiences. Research Articles |
BLOG POSTS
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- Communicating With Clients About Therapeutic Use Of Psychedelic Medicine. Bruce Tobin, Ph.D., RCC
- aking a Walk on the Dark Side. Bruce Tobin, Ph.D., RCC taking_a_walk_on_the_dark_side.pdf
- A thematic analysis of pre- and post ceremony A thematic analysis of pre- and post ceremony factors related to self explored therapeutic value of ritualized ayahuasca use among Canadians
- The therapeutic use of Ayahuasca The therapeutic use of ayahuascathe_therapeutic_use_of_ayahuasca.pdf
- Clinical Research Bibliography: Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. https://thera-psil.ca/bibliography/
Websites
Psychedelic Psychotherapy Forum
Founded by Registered Clinical Counsellor Kevin Parker in 2014, the Psychedelic Psychotherapy Forum is currently Canada’s premiere conference on psychedelic psychotherapy. The Forum is an opportunity for everyone interested in the field of psychedelic psychotherapy — including health providers, advocates, researchers, students, body workers, traditional and/or holistic therapists — to come together to learn, network, and dialogue about this exciting, challenging, and promising field.
https://www.psychedelicpsychotherapy.ca
Therapeutic Psilocybin for Canadians in End-of-Life Distress
A group of seven health professionals who seek to make the psychedelic medicine psilocybin legally available to Canadians in need of compassionate treatment for severe psychological distress.
https://thera-psil.ca
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Canada envisions a world where psychedelics and marijuana are safely and legally available for beneficial uses, and where research is governed by rigorous scientific evaluation of their risks and benefits.
https://mapscanada.org
Founded by Registered Clinical Counsellor Kevin Parker in 2014, the Psychedelic Psychotherapy Forum is currently Canada’s premiere conference on psychedelic psychotherapy. The Forum is an opportunity for everyone interested in the field of psychedelic psychotherapy — including health providers, advocates, researchers, students, body workers, traditional and/or holistic therapists — to come together to learn, network, and dialogue about this exciting, challenging, and promising field.
https://www.psychedelicpsychotherapy.ca
Therapeutic Psilocybin for Canadians in End-of-Life Distress
A group of seven health professionals who seek to make the psychedelic medicine psilocybin legally available to Canadians in need of compassionate treatment for severe psychological distress.
https://thera-psil.ca
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Canada envisions a world where psychedelics and marijuana are safely and legally available for beneficial uses, and where research is governed by rigorous scientific evaluation of their risks and benefits.
https://mapscanada.org
News Links
- Web Link MDMA’s Journey from Molly to Medicine
Scientific American: November 3, 2017 - Web Link Why some therapists are risking arrest to heal trauma using psychedelics
Al Jazeera America: February 9, 2016 - Web Link Mind-Altering Drugs Could Cure PTSD
Popular Science: February 2, 2016 - Web Link Taking the Grim out of Grim Reaper with a Psychedelic Trip
CBC Radio, Tapestry with Mary Hynes: October 4, 2015 - Web Link Psychedelics Could Trigger A ‘Paradigm Shift’ In Mental Health Care
Huffington Post: September 16, 2015 - Web Link Analysis explores potential psychedelic treatments of mental illness
Healio Psychiatric Annals: September 15, 2015 - Web Link Psychedelic drugs as treatment for anxiety, addiction
CBC News: September 9, 2015 - Web Link Some Psychedelic Drugs Might Have Therapeutic Effect
Wall Street Hedge: September 9, 2015 - Web Link Interest in therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs on the rise, says research review
Vancouver Sun: September 9, 2015 - Web Link Experts call for study of possible therapeutic uses of psychedelic drugs
Globe and Mail: September 8, 2015 - Web Link Psychedelic therapy re-emerging as promising treatment for anxiety, PTSD and addiction
Medical News Today: September 8, 2015 - Web Link Ecstasy used to treat PTSD in Vancouver study
24 Hours Vancouver: September 8, 2015 - Web Link Psychedelics Promise a ‘Paradigm Shift’ in Treating Mental Illness
Newsweek: September 8, 2015 - Web Link The Trip Treatment
The New Yorker: February 9, 2015 - Web Link Researchers say form of Ecstasy may heal combat trauma
Reuters: December 6, 2012
Books
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