Psychedelic Integration
Psychedelic compounds, also known as “hallucinogens” and “entheogens” include substances such as LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, mescaline, ayahuasca, ibogaine, and ketamine. Psychedelics produce often powerful alterations in visual and visceral perception and introduce non-ordinary states of consciousness. These compounds have a long history of research for their use in the treatment of mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, alcoholism, eating disorders, chronic pain, PTSD, and obsessional disorders.
Most psychedelics (with the exception of ketamine which is legal in the U.S. under medical supervision) are currently on the FDA’s Schedule 1 list of controlled substances, and are not legal for use except within the context of a clinical trial (which you can find here). However, there is a possibility that both MDMA and Psilocybin will be rescheduled in the United States within the next few years.
I am trained to provide Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration (PHRI) therapy, which is a model of therapy based on clinical research that incorporates sensitivity to establishing and strengthening safety and minimizing risk surrounding psychedelic use. Although I cannot sanction illegal use of psychedelic drugs, I believe everyone should have access to a safe and judgment-free space in which to be able to talk about their experiences during a psychedelic trip, and to be able to integrate felt changes and realizations into everyday life.
There can often be shame, stigma, and silence surrounding one’s experience with psychedelics because it is still considered by many in our culture to be taboo. Moreover, there can be pressure to have a “good” or “positive” experience. This attitude can be counterproductive to one’s ability to embrace and face the entirety of what comes up. It is normal, for example, to have experiences on a psychedelic that defy logic, reason, and ordinary concepts of language. It is also normal to have thoughts and feelings that seem strange or even alien to the self. While some people appear to have no difficulty processing these states, other people find it challenging to re-orient and return to the structure of their everyday reality. Others may have flashbacks, persistent hallucinations or perceptual distortions, or notice changes in their overall mood or sense of identity.
Whatever your experience, I am here to offer grounding, support, and guidance to what happens before, during, and after a psychedelic experience. There is no right or wrong way to navigate the unknown. Please feel free to reach out if you would like to book a consultation or ask me whatever questions you might have. I have an office space for in-person sessions in NYC, and I can also meet remotely.