Psychedelic Preparation and Integration
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:
Assessments and intake
Medical screenings
Education on:
The side effects and experiences common with a particular psychedelic medicine
What to expect before, during, and after your medicine session
Potential risks associated with the medicine
Exploring your goals and expectations for your psychedelic medicine session
Exploring and learning resources and coping skills for use during and after your psychedelic medicine session
Discussing set and setting - “set” refers to your mindset going into a dosing session, and “setting” refers to the physical environment.
Costs associated with preparation, dosing (for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy only), and integration sessions
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.
what about psilocybin and other psychedelics?
Psilocybin (aka Magic Mushrooms), ayahuasca, MDMA and other psychedelics have been in the news a LOT recently as avenues for healing within the therapeutic context.
Currently, ketamine is the only “psychedelic” that is legal in the state of North Carolina. I do not provide access to any psychedelic medicine aside from Ketamine, for which I have a working relationship with prescribers at Asheville Integrative Psychiatry for individuals they have medically cleared and approved to receive ketamine.
However, I want to provide a safe space for anyone who is planning a psychedelic journey or has recently had an experience with psychedelic medicine that they would like support with. While I wholeheartedly believe that psychedelic medicines can be an amazingly transformative part of someone’s healing - they aren’t for everyone, and I believe that they shouldn’t be utilized without appropriate education and preparation.
Having a trained professional in your corner during preparation before and integration after your psychedelic medicine journey can make a huge difference in understanding your insights, and making real changes in your life!