Psychedelic Integration Therapy
Aviva Ehren MA, LMFT, SEP
"Psychedelic-assisted therapy is not a new idea - it has been around for thousands of years. What is new is the scientific research that is now showing us how these substances work, and how we can use them in a safe and effective way to help people heal."— Rick Doblin, Founder and Executive Director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)
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Numerous academic institutions and research-oriented entities have conducted studies that demonstrate the efficacy of medicines including psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, Ibogaine, Ayahuasca, and Ketamine in the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. Recent studies conducted in supervised clinical settings have yielded highly compelling results when combining psychedelic medicines with psychotherapy. Furthermore, these medications have shown their ability to enable deep emotional exploration and foster valuable insights.
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The available evidence indicates that psychedelic-assisted therapy is both safe and effective in treating a range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and addiction. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given a special designation called "breakthrough therapy" to psychedelic- assisted therapy, because of it's potential to be much more effective compared to existing options. With the exception of Ketamine, psychedelic medicines are still in the process of becoming legalized and therefore, regulatory standards for therapeutic psychedelic use are undergoing rapid changes across various regions.
The effectiveness of psychedelic medicines, in combination with psychotherapy, has moved and inspired me to become certified through the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) Center for Psychedelic Therapies and Research (CPTR) program to provide Psychedelic Integration Therapy through their post-graduate program. I have also trained with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), in their inner-directed therapeutic approach and treatment modality that's been utilized in clinical trials investigating MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD.
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Integration
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Psychedelic integration therapy differs from psychedelic-assisted therapy in that it does not involve the clinician administering the medication. Instead, psychedelic integration therapy encompasses preparation, evaluation, and integration sessions. Integration is the cornerstone of psychedelic experiences, as this is where genuine transformation takes place and sustainable changes occur. Without a focus on integration, psychedelic journeys can become just another interesting experience or, in some cases, may even create fear, confusion, or uncertainty in your life. Consequently, psychedelic integration therapy is guided by principles like harm reduction, mindfulness, and psychodynamic practices. It relies on insights from historical and modern psychedelic research and endeavors to remain flexible in response to emerging discoveries and regulatory shifts.
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Psychedelics may be contraindicated for certain individuals, including those with a history of psychosis or schizophrenia, those with certain medical conditions or on certain medications, and those who are at risk of harming themselves or others. It is important to discuss any relevant medical or mental health conditions prior to beginning any type of psychedelic therapy. It is important to note that at no time does therapy with Resourcing Wellness require the use of psychedelic medicines nor does Resourcing Wellness endorse the procurement of illegal substances.
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