Psychedelic Assisted Facilitation Vs. Traditional Therapy
Psychedelic Assisted Facilitation is becoming a popular topic, especially within progressive health and wellness circles. Seen as an avant-garde approach towards self-discovery and emotional healing, it offers an intriguing alternative to traditional therapy. But what exactly is Psychedelic Assisted Facilitation and how does it differ from therapy?
Psychedelic Assisted Facilitation Explained
Psychedelic Assisted Facilitation is a process that employs the use of psychedelic substances, in a controlled setting and under the guidance of a trained facilitator, with the aim of exploring one’s consciousness, overcoming emotional barriers, and accelerating personal growth. It is important to note that this process is not about the drug-induced ‘trip’ but about the therapeutic benefits that such experiences, when used correctly, can facilitate.
Being in the care of an experienced facilitator, participants can safely navigate their way around the vibrant landscapes of their minds, gathering the courage and resilience necessary to challenge the boundaries of their comfort zones.
There are some clinical trials and approved clinical settings that offer this as part of various studies, but therapists in Colorado are not yet able to offer these services. Oregon does have some governance around approved therapy, however. In Colorado, there are many therapists or facilitators who offer support services for those who wish to engage in the “personal use” of these medicines. Many Facilitators and therapists in CO offer education, preparation support (for their personal use journey), and integration support. Integration support is key to receiving the full benefits of the medicine, as it is important for the individual to integrate the experience into his or her life, understand how to integrate it into the world around them, and use the experience to live a richer life.
How it is Different From Therapy
Unlike a typical therapy session that might involve talk therapy or cognitive behavioral techniques, Psychedelic Assisted Facilitation offers a novel, more experiential approach to inner exploration and emotional healing. This process can also allow individuals to confront and understand aspects of themselves that they might not have been able to reach in a standard therapy session.
Assisting clients in fully immersing themselves within their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, facilitated psychedelic sessions potentially enable them to reach and confront their deepest fears, painful memories, or obstructive beliefs.
Traditional therapy, while extremely beneficial to many individuals, could sometimes prove challenging for those who struggle with expressing their feelings verbally or those who feel stuck in a rut with traditional interventions. Psychedelic Assisted Facilitation could provide these individuals with an alternative avenue for understanding and resolving their inner conflicts.
The Complementary Co-existence
Although Psychedelic Assisted Facilitation is vastly different from traditional therapy, it does not necessarily imply that one method is superior to another; rather, they can co-exist and even complement each other. Both modalities serve to facilitate healing and personal growth; they just do it in different ways.
The insights gained during a psychedelic-assisted session can be further explored and integrated into one’s life using traditional therapy. This way, the two methods can work hand in hand, leveraging each other’s strengths while offsetting their respective limitations.
Psychedelic Assisted Facilitation offers a profound, transformative tool that can play a crucial role in individual growth and self-discovery. However, like any other tool, its effectiveness strongly relies on the readiness, openness, and suitability of the individual, and it should be executed with the guidance of trained professionals. As we continue to explore the vast potential of our minds and the varied paths to wellness, it becomes clear that there are many different yet equally valuable routes to achieving holistic health and well-being.
