How does a psychedelic coach differ from a therapist or guide?
Amidst the burgeoning psychedelic landscape, there are various professionals who can provide guidance as you navigate, experience, and process your journey. Understanding your needs can help you determine the type of support that would benefit you the most—whether it’s a therapist, guide, or coach.
If you find yourself in a particularly dark place and are seeking to address trauma or mental health issues, it may be wise to seek the assistance of a psychedelic therapist. Not everyone who engages with psychedelics needs therapy, but therapists can be invaluable for individuals grappling with deep-rooted issues. Psychedelic therapists are equipped with therapeutic methodologies such as transpersonal psychology, psychiatry, or psychotherapy. Diagnosis, treatment planning, and talk therapy are often integral components of psychedelic integration therapy. A psychedelic psychotherapist, for instance, can empower clients to leverage the positive aspects of their psychedelic experiences to heal detrimental behaviors, traumas, or thought patterns. Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy largely takes place in clinical settings.
If you require support during the actual journey itself, a psychedelic guide may be the right fit for you. Psychedelic or shamanic guides hold space during a psychedelic experience as you traverse altered states of perception. Their role may involve encouraging you to embrace discomfort or offering reassurance when things feel overwhelming. Guides may also incorporate additional tools such as breathwork or music before or during the journey. While some discussion may occur after the experience, follow-up integration sessions with guides are typically not common.
Conversely, psychedelic coaches are specifically geared towards individuals seeking to optimize their psychedelic experience. If you aspire to derive maximum benefits from your journey, enhance yourself as an individual, or acquire the necessary skills to further explore and experiment with psychedelics, working with a coach can be transformational. Read on to learn more.
