Psychedelic Support: Preparation & Integration Assistance

The global landscape of therapy is changing rapidly with the increased interest and use of psychedelic substances for healing and personal growth. Following encouraging clinical research outcomes using substances such as MDMA or psilocybin alongside therapy for treatment of mental health challenges, access to these substances has been expanding. 

In 2023, Australia became the first country in the world to formally recognise psychedelic-assisted therapy within its mental health system. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) rescheduled psilocybin and MDMA, permitting authorised psychiatrists to prescribe them in specific clinical contexts.

Additionally, there has been a trend toward increased psychedelic use in traditional or semi-traditional settings such as with Ayahuasca in South America, in legal retreat centres in various countries, as well as various underground and non-regulated settings.

My role & what I offer:

Olos does not provide access to medications or facilitate psychedelic-assisted therapy. I can offer referrals to legal clinical pathways for interested clients, as well as dedicated therapeutic support around psychedelic experiences: helping people prepare intentionally, and integrate meaningfully, whatever pathway they are choosing.

Orientation

My orientation to psychedelic support is based on an understanding that our mind, like our physical body has the inner resources it needs to heal when the conditions are right. My role is to support you to create the conditions in your life where healing can happen. I do this by drawing on my background in clinical mental health, alongside what I've learnt through yoga, somatic practices, and my personal experiences of growth and healing.

Preparation

Psychedelics often amplify whatever is already present in the body and mind. Sometimes this is a pleasant experience, and often it is challenging (at least at times). By preparing for an experience we aim to develop greater capacity and flexibility before the experience begins. We can also identify and sharpen intentions: not to control an experience — but to orient it.

Integration

Integration means to reorientate ourselves to our world after a psychedelic experience. Often a profound psychedelic experience leaves someone feeling significantly different immediately afterwards - but not everyone finds the benefits last with time. Those people who do find ongoing improvements in their life after a psychedelic experience are often those who have put in the work in integration. This is rebuilding ourselves and our lives, 'brick by brick' and day by day. Assistance with integration can include:

• Making sense of profound or confusing experiences
• Processing emotional content which emerged in a session and has not yet resolved
• Identifying changes in lifestyle and day to day habits toward a values-aligned life