Everything You Need To Know About Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Maybe you’re looking for new ways to tackle mental health challenges in your life, or maybe you’re curious about the cutting edge of therapy techniques. If either of these apply, this article on psychedelic-assisted therapy is for you! We’ll go over how psychedelic-assisted therapy works, describe the benefits of this form of therapy, and dive into how the therapists at Dyad Psychology in Providence, RI deliver it.
What is psychedelic-assisted therapy?
Psychedelic-assisted therapy involves using psychedelic compounds in a therapy setting. To understand how psychedelic-assisted therapy works, it’s important to know first that there are different ways of processing experiences. There’s “top-down processing,” and there’s “bottom-up processing.” In top-down processing, people use the conscious mind to process experiences—for example, you use top-down processing when you think through a problem. In bottom-up processing, people process experiences through sensations in the body.
Traditional talk therapy relies heavily on top-down processing. But as Dr. Sarit Lesser, a clinical psychologist in Providence, RI, explains, “We experience trauma in the body, and heal trauma in the body.” Thus, sometimes it’s important for therapy for trauma—and other mental health conditions like depression—to use a bottom-up approach that addresses the body first. Psychedelic-assisted therapy harnesses bottom-up processing to let people release tension in the body in a way they can’t using top-down thinking. In turn, this therapy creates change in their conscious life as well.
Benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy
Better than other treatments
Before you invest in a therapy, it’s important to know how effective it will be. Although psychedelic-assisted therapy is an emerging field, there’s plenty of research backing it up. Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the therapy’s efficacy for conditions including depression, anxiety, addiction, and PTSD.
In addition, psychedelic-assisted therapy can benefit people more than other common treatments like medication or talk therapy. For example, one study found that using ketamine in a therapy setting led to a large and fast reduction of PTSD symptoms in ways medications did not. Ketamine therapy has also been very effective for people with depression who have not been helped by other treatments.
Creates Real change
Psychedelic-assisted therapy has lasting benefits. Studies have found that after just two or three doses of a psychedelic, people can experience benefits over a year. This is in contrast to other forms of therapy, where you might need to take medication or see a therapist indefinitely.
In addition, this form of therapy does more than just reduce symptoms. It can create holistic change in your life. A study of individuals with treatment-resistant PTSD found using psychedelic therapy improved their lives in many ways, such as promoting social skills and engagement in new activities.
Safe
We’ve all heard that using psychedelics can cause negative experiences. As a result, psychedelic therapy can get a bad rap. But psychedelic use under the guidance of experts is different. In fact, research on psychedelic-assisted therapy has found it to be very safe. Studies of psychedelics in the last thirty years have not reported any serious adverse events among participants. And the use of substances in psychedelic-assisted therapy does not cause dependence.
Typical Session at Dyad Psychology
If you’ve never experienced psychedelic-assisted therapy, you might be wondering what it’s like. How long does it take? Will it be scary, or unpleasant? How will it change you? If you work with a psychedelic therapist at Providence’s Dyad Psychology, your experience will have several stages.
Preparation
Before starting psychedelic-assisted therapy, it’s very important to have a strong relationship with your therapist. As Dr. Lesser describes, “We never start with the psychedelics. We start with getting to know the person and establishing a working relationship.” So, a psychedelic therapist will start by building trust with you.
Another part of the preparation at Dyad Psychology involves doing “somatic work” on its own, before using psychedelics. Somatic work is similar to mindfulness and involves learning to pay attention to your body. When you experience a trauma, you may feel scared to be in your body and therefore detach from it. Somatic work helps you reconnect to your body, in ways that might surprise you, even before you use psychedelics.
Psychedelic experience
Once you’re ready, the psychedelic phase will begin. Dr. Lesser’s approach to psychedelic-assisted therapy is Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy (PSIP).
In your PSIP session, your psychedelic therapist will take you back to a memory of a trauma you experienced that has created lasting tension in the body. This trauma may be a one-time experience, or a longer chain of events. But because you are in a safe environment with someone you trust, you can “experience your body safely.” And, Dr. Lesser says, “We see improvement outside of therapy, in people’s lives.”
Integration
You may have a lot to process after a psychedelic-assisted therapy session. During every psychedelic session and in subsequent sessions, your psychedelic therapist will guide you through “integration.” Integration involves thinking through insights you’ve gained and how they’ll apply to your life.
You might not know in advance how psychedelic-assisted therapy will impact you. As Dr. Lesser says, “We know where we start, but don’t necessarily know where we go or what will be revealed.” Still, you may see changes throughout your life, such as in your ability to form relationships, and in reductions in stress or depression.
Conclusion
We’ve covered a lot of ground. To recap, psychedelic-assisted therapy allows you to make the most of your body’s method of bottom-up processing to release tension. It’s scientifically proven to be safe and effective, and it can create lasting change. If you’re working with a psychedelic-assisted therapist, you can expect plenty of preparation before being guided through a session with psychedelics. You will then work to make sense of your experiences and will may experience holistic changes in your life that you didn’t expect.
FAQs
Is psychedelic-assisted therapy legal?
The psychedelic therapists at Dyad Psychology in Providence, RI offer therapy with either ketamine or cannabis. Both of these substances are legal, and the therapists will work with you to get a prescription for them.
Is psychedelic-assisted therapy right for me?
Research shows psychedelic-assisted therapy is useful for conditions like PTSD, anxiety, or depression. If you’re interested in psychedelic-assisted therapy in Providence, RI, consult with Dyad Psychology’s therapists, who can provide advice based on your individual situation.
What are the negative effects of psychedelic-assisted therapy?
Psychedelics have a reputation for being risky, but scientific research shows that the risks are minimal when they’re used appropriately and professionally in a therapeutic setting. This is because psychedelic therapists know how to safely guide you through your experience with psychedelics. It’s just important to make sure you attempt psychedelic-assisted therapy with a trained professional that you trust.