Do Your Work and Empower Your Client's Inner Healer

Background and Journey into Psychedelic Facilitation

This facilitator's journey into psychedelic facilitation was driven by a deep interest in therapy and psychology, influenced by personal experiences growing up with a mother who had schizophrenia. This early exposure to mental health work normalized therapy and set the stage for their lifelong pursuit of healing and personal growth.

Over the years, they engaged in extensive therapy and personal development, seeking ways to feel whole and address their own mental health needs. A pivotal moment came when they realized the monotony of their daily life and felt a spiritual calling to explore psychedelics, despite initial resistance due to legal concerns.

“I woke up one morning and spirit told me do this. And I said no - it's illegal... There was really nothing I could do other than be in that moment. I don't say no to spirit.”

Their first experience with psychedelics profoundly changed their life, teaching them about timelessness and the potential for personal transformation.

“It was my first experience in understanding that I could be made new that I could experience a life without my trauma and that I could be free in my soul.”

Psychedelic Training and Spiritual Influences

The interviewee’s facilitation skills developed naturally through personal experiences and learning from friends and medicine itself. They emphasize an intuitive, non-directive approach, avoiding imposing their agenda on clients.

“My practice has never involved me pushing an agenda on someone when they're in their medicine. That has been a very direct knowing for me - that's not my place.”

They also engaged in various workshops and training programs, including with the psychedelic somatic training, which significantly informed their practice.

Facilitation Practices and Client Interaction

The interviewee's work is varied, encompassing one-on-one sessions, retreats, and occasional couples work. Their practice is highly flexible, adapting to the needs and availability of their clients. They emphasize the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment tailored to each client's needs, whether through music, somatic practices, or simply being present.

The values this facilitator brings to the practice include respect, humility, and trust in the client’s inner healer. They focus on supporting clients in finding their own path to healing without imposing their own beliefs or methods. This humility and respect extend to how they handle challenging situations, emphasizing compassion and responsiveness rather than control.

“My role is to help them learn to trust themselves and their own (healing) process. My value would be that I don't know, I don't have the answers for them. They are their own healer, not me.””

Unique Techniques and Approaches

The interviewee’s approach is marked by flexibility and a deep respect for the client's autonomy. They use music like singing, drumming, singing bowls, the flute or even a carefully crafted playlist. They also focus on somatic practices and individualized preparation to help clients feel safe and supported. They avoid rigid protocols, instead encouraging clients to follow their intuition and make choices that feel right for them.

Client Selection and Demographics

Clients find the interviewee through word of mouth, drawn by their compassionate and intuitive approach. They work with a wide range of individuals, including those from religious backgrounds and those with significant therapeutic experience.

Preparation and Integration Practices

Preparation involves thorough intake sessions and discussions about the client's goals, previous experiences, and expectations. The interviewee provides guidance on creating a supportive environment and encourages clients to listen to their intuition regarding protocols and dosages.

“I have a document that I share for their preparation - things that they can do to kind of clear out and make space for the experience in their life.”

Integration practices are tailored to the individual, with a focus on helping clients process and integrate their experiences in a way that feels natural and supportive.

Handling Challenging Experiences

The interviewee views challenging experiences as opportunities for growth, emphasizing the importance of trust and intuition. They acknowledge the vulnerability and uncertainty that can accompany difficult sessions but maintain a steadfast belief in the client's ability to navigate their journey.

They stress the importance of a facilitator's own healing work in being able to hold space without judgment, allowing clients to fully experience and process their emotions.

“I think as a facilitator, the importance of doing your own work cannot be overstated.”

Safety and Trust in Facilitation

Creating a safe environment is crucial, and the interviewee employs various strategies to ensure clients feel secure. This includes discussing dosages, allowing for personal space, and providing reassurance through touch and presence when needed.

“You can only go as deep as you feel safe.”

They emphasize the importance of choice and autonomy in fostering a sense of safety and empowerment.

Guidance and Autonomy

The facilitator balances guidance and autonomy by being present and available without imposing their will. They encourage clients to take the lead and make choices about their journey, supporting them as needed without taking control.

“If someone asks for my help, I'm there and if they don't, I'm not.”

This approach helps clients develop trust in themselves and their own process, fostering long-term growth and healing.

Advice for the Broader Community

The interviewee advises both facilitators and the wider community to focus on personal healing and maintaining humility. They stress the importance of not creating dependency or cult-like dynamics, instead empowering individuals to find their own path to healing.

“The biggest thing for me is like do your own work so that you're a clean vessel so you're not out there building a cult for yourself of followers.”

They highlight the need for facilitators to be aware of their own motivations and to avoid projecting their power onto clients.

“Look for the (facilitators) who don't know...They're not professing that they know. Look. Watch for someone who's not trying to usurp your power or create a relationship of contrast with you.”

Conclusion

In summary, this facilitator's approach to psychedelic facilitation is characterized by respect, humility, and a deep trust in the client’s inner healer. Their flexible, intuitive methods create a supportive and empowering environment for clients to explore and heal. By emphasizing safety, autonomy, and the importance of personal work, this facilitator helps people achieve meaningful and lasting transformations.