Is Psychedelic Therapy For Me?

Exploring altered states of consciousness for healing, insight, and transformation

I currently have several active clients that have been asking - “Is psychedelic therapy right for me?” So I decided to address this question in a blog. Maybe you're asking the same thing. Whether you've heard about the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, ketamine, or MDMA in a podcast, read Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind, or felt called toward deep inner work that traditional talk therapy hasn't touched—this question is valid, personal, and worth exploring.

What Is Psychedelic Therapy?

Psychedelic therapy involves the intentional use of psychedelic substances—like psilocybin (magic mushrooms), MDMA, or ketamine—combined with professional psychotherapeutic support to promote healing, insight, and transformation. Unlike recreational use, this therapeutic model happens in a safe, structured, and supportive environment with trained guides or therapists. It isn’t about escaping reality—it’s about meeting it more fully.

Current research from leading institutions like Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research and MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) shows promising results in treating depression, PTSD, end-of-life anxiety, and addiction. The work is often described as “10 years of therapy in a day”—not because it’s a shortcut, but because it can get beneath the stories we’ve told ourselves and reach the root of suffering.

Why Altered States of Consciousness Matter

One of the most exciting aspects of psychedelic therapy is its ability to gently disrupt our default ways of thinking. As humans, we live most of our lives in well-worn grooves—what neuroscience calls the default mode network (DMN). This network helps us form a sense of self, but when it becomes overactive, it can trap us in repetitive thought loops, self-criticism, and rigid perspectives.

Psychedelics temporarily reduce activity in the DMN, allowing new patterns of thought and perception to emerge. This state of “de-fixation” can create space for insight, empathy, creativity, and connection.

It’s also closely tied to neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new neural connections. Research shows that psychedelics promote neurogenesis and synaptic growth, making it easier for us to change not just how we think, but how we feel and behave in everyday life. You can read more about this from The Beckley Foundation and in recent studies published in Nature Neuroscience.

What If I'm Not in Crisis—Just Curious?

This is an important question that often goes unspoken. You don’t have to be in deep suffering to benefit from psychedelic therapy. In fact, many of the people I work with fall into what we call the “worried well”—high-functioning individuals who are in therapy, doing the work, and still feel a quiet longing or stuckness.

Maybe you’re feeling creatively blocked. Maybe you’re seeking clarity in a life transition. Maybe you’re yearning for a deeper connection to your body, your inner voice, or something larger than yourself.

Psychedelic therapy can be a powerful way to:

• Explore existential questions without needing a diagnosis

• Reconnect with your vitality and creativity

• Access transpersonal or spiritual insights

• Deepen your mindfulness or meditation practice

• Rediscover joy, awe, and meaning

There’s a place for you here—even if you’re not in a place of crisis. In many ways, this work is about growing, not just healing.

My Approach to Psychedelic-Therapy

As a psychotherapist with a background in mindfulness, neuropsychology, religious mysticism, grief work, and transpersonal psychology, I view psychedelic therapy as a sacred and spacious process. I’m particularly interested in how altered states of consciousness can soften our defenses and allow us to encounter ourselves with honesty and compassion.

I offer:

• Preparation sessions to support you before a ceremonial journey

• Psychedelic Journey where I host your journey

• Integration therapy to process and embody what arose during and afterward

• A heart-centered approach that honors both science and soul

My goal is not to push psychedelics as a solution, but to walk alongside you as you explore whether this path aligns with your values, goals, and readiness.

I’ve always been drawn to altered states of consciousness—not as an escape, but as a doorway into the deeper truths we carry inside. My interest in psychedelic therapy is grounded in a heart-centered belief that healing is possible when we approach our pain with curiosity, courage, and care.

Common Questions About Psychedelic Therapy

1. What mental health conditions can psychedelic therapy help with?

• Depression (especially treatment-resistant)

• PTSD and trauma

• Anxiety and existential distress

• OCD and other compulsions

• Addiction

• Eating disorders

• Grief and loss

But again, this isn’t limited to diagnoses. Psychedelic therapy can help people thrive, not just survive.

2. How does it work in the brain?

Psychedelics increase neuroplasticity, enhance emotional processing, and quiet the ego-driven default mode network. This creates conditions for insight, behavioral change, and increased psychological flexibility.

3. Is it legal?

• Ketamine is legal and used in clinics across the U.S.

• Psilocybin is legal under certain conditions in Oregon and Colorado.

• MDMA-assisted therapy is in FDA Phase 3 trials and may be approved in upcoming years.

For the latest on legality and ethics, I recommend Psychedelic Alpha.

4. What if I’m afraid of losing control?

That’s a valid fear—and one we can work with. My role is to help you build trust with yourself and the process. I use breathwork, somatic tools, and Internal Family Systems techniques to help you navigate challenging moments skillfully.

5. Do I have to have a “trip”?

Not necessarily. Ketamine, for instance, can be effective in low doses with mild dissociation. Some people also benefit from non-psychedelic integration therapy, where we work with past journeys you’ve already had—or even dreams and altered states brought on by meditation, grief, or trauma.

6. Is it safe?

When used in the right set and setting, with proper screening, support, and intention, psychedelic therapy has shown a strong safety profile. However, it’s not for everyone. Those with a personal or family history of schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, or certain heart conditions may be advised against it.

Ready to Explore?

If you're feeling curious, uncertain, or even a little excited—you're in the right place.

This work is not about bypassing your pain or chasing bliss. It’s about deepening your capacity to be with what is, and opening to new possibilities for growth, connection, and transformation.

You can:

• Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to learn more

• Explore trusted resources like The Third Wave or Fireside Project

• Or simply begin a conversation—with me, with yourself, with your intuition

How Do I Know if It’s Right For Me?

Ask yourself:

• Am I curious about what lies beneath the surface of my current emotional state?

• Have traditional therapies helped, but not fully addressed my pain?

• Do I feel called to spiritual or personal growth through non-ordinary states of consciousness?

• Am I willing to do integration work—journaling, therapy, shadow work—after the journey?

If the answer is yes—or even a tender maybe—it might be time to explore this path.

What Working Together Looks Like

Our work together may begin with preparation sessions, where we explore your intentions, medical and psychological readiness, and practices for navigating altered states. We would then move forward with a journey, and then follow up with integration therapy—processing insights, challenges, and ways to translate the experience into your everyday life.

I offer a nonjudgmental, spacious presence that honors both your inner wisdom and your vulnerability. I’ve seen how the right container can make all the difference between a confusing trip and a life-changing experience.

Healing is possible. Transformation is possible. Sometimes, we just need the right lens to see ourselves clearly again. Healing is not about becoming someone new. It's about remembering who you already are—beneath the noise, beneath the fear, beneath the conditioning. Sometimes, we just need a different lens, a shift in consciousness, to see clearly again.