Psychedelic Integration: What is it?
Psychedelic medicine and the healing process
The use of psychedelic medicine is now well documented to aid in the healing of a host of mental health challenges for some people. It can open new pathways of experiencing and recovering from past depression, anxiety and some addiction rooted in chronic or acute trauma.
The ability to prescribe psychedelic medicine and to sit with a client during their journey is not yet a reality in most of the country, save for the pioneering states of Oregon and Colorado. I can not at this time, legally condone the use of any psychedelic substances in the therapeutic process.
“Thank you so much for being my Guide in these amazing inward journeys. You have helped me feel:
More at home in my body.
More at peace in my heart.
More integrated in mind body and spirit.
More emotionally stable.
More at peace with the world in which I move and interact with.
More love and compassion for myself and for others.
More mindful of the little daily things I can do to lovingly take care of myself by eating more mindfully, drinking way less alcohol and supporting myself in sleeping better.
I am so grateful for you and your support in this sometimes challenging but always rewarding inner work.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.“
– Psychedelic Integration Client
Psychedelic integration is the key
It is not psychedelic medicine alone that facilitates healing, but guided, intentional preparation and the processing and integration of one’s journey.
- The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) has documented that it is the combination of effective psychotherapy, both pre- and post-journey that produces freedom from the long running mental and emotional distress of PTSD and associated depression, anxiety, and often co-occurring addictions
- Clinical psychologist Dr. Rosalind Watts and Clinical Lead for Imperial College London’s psilocybin trial emphasizes in this Medium piece the role and necessity of the therapeutic experience to facilitate healing.
“The preparation, integration, and therapeutic support around my psilocybin experience was truly life-changing.
Through thoughtful and compassionate sessions, I felt well-equipped to approach my journey with intention and openness. Afterward, the integration work we did together helped me process and make sense of the deep insights I gained — particularly around old trauma and long-standing patterns.
Having this professional support before and after the experience made all the difference in helping me translate powerful realizations into meaningful, lasting change in my daily life. I am deeply grateful for the skillful and sensitive guidance I received throughout the process.“
– Psychedelic Integration Client
Psychedelic integration, done in a safe setting, with one or two trained therapists can help:
- Concretize insights or new perspectives
- Thoughtfully make changes based on new insights
- Make meaning and generate useful internal narratives
- Make sense of confusing journey experiences
- Resolve conflict between psychedelic experience and one’s prior belief systems
- Address lingering distress
Connect with Joseph Losi, MA LMFT to Explore Psychedelic Integration
“With psychedelically-assisted therapy, I have experienced a transformation from “not enjoying my life” to a deep-seated gladness that unfolded gradually through the combination of caring psychotherapy and medicine assist.
After close to zero benefit from decades of trying to “figure it all out,” including working with about six therapists over my lifetime, this has been an immense relief.
Through preparation, and integration focused on feelings and emotions, the process gave me a deep experiential shift out of old patterns of feeling, thinking and being, which the medicine greatly aided in. But it was the integration of those experiences through skilled talk therapy with Joseph that made the opening and now the felt shift possible. How entirely different I am and feel now is hard to describe because it really is everything.”
– Psychedelic Integration Client
“Every step of my journey with psychedelic medicine, whether clear or confusing, has been crucial for growth, revealing truths as I became ready.
Healing chronic childhood trauma through psychedelic-assisted therapy resembles piecing together a puzzle, each piece fitting in as previous ones laid the groundwork. With time, integration, and trust in myself and my therapist, my brain shifts its perspective on trauma, replacing darkness with light.
For those with chronic trauma, like me, the healing path may be long, but it is justified by the relief and understanding it brings. Despite the challenges, there is a light at the tunnel’s end I never expected to see. I’ve started to process the impact of past abuse and realize my worth isn’t tied to it. Through this, I’ve found safety within myself that traditional therapy couldn’t provide. I am eternally grateful for this transformative work.“
– Psychedelic Integration Client