Preparation and Integration for Psychedelic Medicine Journeys

Preparation

what is preparation?

In this context, preparation refers to the sessions you will have leading up to your psychedelic medicine session. I know this may seem like just another hoop to jump through on your healing journey, but it is so crucial! Without thorough preparation, at best you won’t be able to get the full benefit from your psychedelic medicine. At worst - the medicine could end up doing more harm than good.

components of preparation

Preparation is a multi-step process that occurs over several sessions. During preparation, we will cover the following:

  1. Assessments and intake

  2. Medical screenings

  3. Education on:

    1. The side effects and experiences common with a particular psychedelic medicine

    2. What to expect before, during, and after your medicine session

    3. Potential risks associated with the medicine

  4. Exploring your goals and expectations for your psychedelic medicine session

  5. Exploring and learning resources and coping skills for use during and after your psychedelic medicine session

  6. Discussing set and setting - “set” refers to your mindset going into a dosing session, and “setting” refers to the physical environment.

  7. Costs associated with preparation, dosing (for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy only), and integration sessions

  8. How to utilize support from me, your medical provider, friends/family, and other communities during your integration period

Integration

What is integration?

During the integration stage of your treatment, we will work on taking the insights and experiences you gained from your psychedelic medicine session, and come up with a plan for how to use them to make beneficial changes in your every day life.

Integration sessions are typically scheduled 24-72 hours after your psychedelic medicine journey. There’s several reasons for that:

- Your brain is extra spongy in this 72 hour window and it’s the perfect time to take action on goals you may have.

- The particulars of your experience are going to be most fresh in your mind during this time, meaning they will likely be easier to remember and connect with emotionally and physically.