My approach to psychedelic preparation and integration therapy

You may have read some books or listened to a few podcasts about the amazing benefits of psychedelic assisted therapy. You’ve probably heard how it can alleviate symptoms of PTSD, depression, or anxiety. Or you’ve even tried psychedelics on your own but really want to deepen their healing potential. If any of this resonates with you, you’re in the right place.

In my own exploration of psychedelics, I loved the idea of using this powerful medicine as a part of my therapy. But going to a clinic with unfamiliar faces or having an experience totally separate from my ongoing therapy didn’t feel right. I wanted support that felt connected, relational, and grounded.

That’s what I offer in my practice: psychedelic preparation and integration therapy using Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. While I cannot advise you on how or where to have a psychedelic experience, I offer support before and after your experience - especially if you’re seeking a more intentional, safe, and embodied approach.

What is psychedelic preparation & integration therapy?

Psychedelic preparation and integration therapy, using IFS, is a specialized form of counseling designed to help you prepare for and integrate your experiences with psychedelic substances. While psychedelics can offer profound insights, their effects can be challenging and even harmful without proper support. IFS provides a container with which to hold the experiences and insights from an expanded state of consciousness. Together we’ll focus on:

• Preparation: Part of you may be super ready and excited to have a psychedelic experience. Another part might feel anxious, doubtful, or even resistant. Part of you might be hoping psychedelics will fix everything. That’s totally normal. In preparation sessions, we will develop relationships with your parts first, so you can have a safe, healing experience with your chosen medicine. You’ll learn how to go inward and navigate your internal landscape. In my experience, the more prepared you are, the better and safer the experience will be.

• Integration: After your journey, we’ll focus on helping all of your parts make sense of what happened. Whether you experienced insights, challenges, spiritual awakenings, or unresolved memories, IFS offers a container for integrating these experiences into your everyday life.

  • Integration might include:

    • Re-processing past trauma that surfaced

    • Supporting skeptical parts around spiritual or mystical experiences

    • Updating your protective system to acknowledge the healing that’s occurred

    • Finding meaning and grounding in the changes you’ve undergone

While psychedelics can offer healing potential, they may also bring up unresolved trauma, emotions, or big life questions. Working with a therapist experienced with psychedelics ensures you have the tools and emotional support necessary to navigate these experiences safely.

With professional guidance, you can:

• Cultivate a safe container for your psychedelic journey

• Gain clarity around complex experiences

• Develop a sustainable plan for emotional integration

• Enhance the therapeutic impact of psychedelics

I work with clients in Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. If you're ready to prepare for or integrate a psychedelic experience with care, presence, and intention—I’d be honored to support you.