Psychedelics can be powerful tools for breaking out of ruts, re-setting the nervous system, working through trauma, and exploring your inner and outer worlds. Since you have found this page, you are probably well on your way toward entering your psychedelic journey with hope and care. Working with a good coach will increase the likelihood of having a beneficial experience. Let’s talk about your possibilities!
I work with journeyers who use plant and synthetic medicines, as well as transpersonal breathwork.
Preparation
The preparation for a psychedelic journey usually consists of two or more coaching sessions in which we discuss your motivations, the set and setting for your journey, physical considerations, possible outcomes, and any questions and concerns you may have. Good preparation will often give the feeling that the “journey has already begun” long before the big day, as you explore the mindset of maximizing the benefits of the experience.
“Setting an intention” is a popular piece of advice. If you have never had a psychedelic experience, this can be rather difficult, to say the least. You may state “My intention is to find the answer to ___” and then you experience something totally different on journey day. This is perfectly OK! It is usually best to hold an intention lightly and perhaps leave it somewhat open-ended. There is a saying that “you get the experience you need, not the one you want”. Perhaps, but psychedelics are weird! Sometimes a good intention is “I’m curious to have you (the medicine) show me what I need to know.” In fact, sometimes it’s best to get rid of “intention” in favor of “invitation”. Inviting the medicine in, to teach us something.
I encourage you to do some research about the medicine experience. I can point you to many resources that might be especially helpful for your particular needs. Two great beginning resources about psychedelic substances are The Psychedelic Handbook by Rick Strassman, MD, and The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide by James Fadiman, PhD.
The preparatory sessions, with your permission, will be an introduction to IFS “parts work”. Having this model for addressing challenges and feelings may help during the journey as things arise, but even if parts are not recognized during the journey, it is helpful afterwards during the integration period. No need to worry about how adept you are with IFS, you can learn as we go. No studying required!
For planning the logistics and structure for journey day, I like Julian Vaynes’s book Getting Higher: The Manual of Psychedelic Ceremony. It has a lot of creative ideas on how to build a ceremony that feels right for the individual. This part of the planning must involve the person who will be sitting with you, whether that is me or someone else.
Integration
After medicine day, we meet to integrate your experience. This is typically at least two sessions but is variable depending on what came up for you. Our first session would usually be a few days after your journey. It is important in the days right after to give yourself some time and space for rest and reflection. The insights and “downloads” will often keep coming during that time. It’s a good idea to capture them in some easy way – writing in a notebook, voice recordings, drawing, or other artwork are all good.
It is not uncommon to become aware of changes in worldview, ways of thinking, and belief systems after a profound psychedelic journey. Surprising memories and feelings may surface. Although the immediate aftermath can feel like a beautiful fresh start, the days after can also feel strange or unsettling, as you resume the responsibilities and minutiae of daily life. Coaching will give you new perspectives and tools for processing these extraordinary experiences, so that you can allow the benefits to persist and grow in your life moving forward.
Integration can involve meditation, storytelling (to self and others), journaling, parts work, reading, exercise, art, and many other activities that help you to stay in touch with your experience and your feelings. Any experience, no matter how weird, can be shared and connected to your life story somehow. These things can open us up and change us. It’s up to us to decide if that is “OK”. Finding “OK” is what integration is. It is a big journey.
After coaching ends, you may still integrate a powerful experience for quite a long time – sometimes for years! Whether your experience brought large or small insights, coaching can give multiple helpful perspectives and options for learning from it.
Journey packages are available for easier scheduling and planning.