As many have experienced, the answer does not lie in psychedelics alone. There are many people who take psychedelics around the world without experiencing any particular therapeutic effect. The studies that have been conducted in recent years are based on psychedelics in combination with psychotherapy. There are many psychotherapeutic approaches, but not all of them work equally well with psychedelics.
Little interference during the experience itself
During the psychedelic experience itself, the therapist is not very involved. Under the influence, the therapist's task is to create a safe experience, and to be available if the patient needs anything. Either for practical things like drinking water or wrapping themselves in a blanket, or psychological support. There is not much talk therapy during these hours and one trusts the patient's " inner healing intelligence ". The patient knows better what is needed to bring about change. So the therapy itself happens before and after the experience.
Internal family systems
One particular method has been named as the favorite so far, namely Internal Family Systems , or IFS. This is, among other things, the method used by MAPS in the clinical studies with MDMA. This is a method that, in short, divides the personality into different parts and works on defining and understanding these different parts so that one has better harmony in life. This works well for a couple of different reasons.
One reason is that it is a setup that most people can identify with. Many people may have experienced a part of themselves deciding to live a healthier life, while another part would rather eat a burger on the couch. The other reason is that you often get a clearer experience of these parts under the influence of psychedelics. This makes it even easier to get to know the different parts and allows you to work with them more effectively.
How do you get started?
IFS is still a long way from the mainstream in Norway, and there are very few therapists here in Norway. I have received approved training in IFS, so you can contact me to book an appointment here . Otherwise, I would recommend people to start by reading Self-Therapy for a user-friendly introduction to IFS. You can work a lot with IFS on your own, but it is often difficult to get started completely on your own.