Psychedelic Integration: Psychotherapy for non-ordinary states of consciousness

A book review interprets Marc B. Aixalà's exploration of how therapists can support clients who have undergone psychedelic experiences, especially when the therapist was not present during the session. Aixalà, a psychologist and psychotherapist, draws on his decade of work with ICEERS, training in Holotropic Breathwork and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, and involvement in clinical trials for psilocybin and treatment-resistant depression. The review focuses on his principles for integration therapy, which aims to ensure safety and efficacy for clients using non-ordinary states of consciousness to address PTSD, anxiety, depression, and end-of-life distress.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Recent years have seen a global explosion in the field of psychedelic research, popularizing of use of non-ordinary states of consciousness to aid in PTSD, anxiety and depression, end of life and a growing sense that the use of substances like MDMA, psilocybin and others may become mainstream approaches to treating persistent challenges in these marginalized populations.As we destigmatize these treatments, as we see more demand, we will also witness a need for more trained professionals who can support these experiences, capable of holding these spaces 1 and an emergence of programs designed to safely facilitate experiences of non-ordinary states of consciousness.Marc B. Aixalà is an engineer, psychologist and psychotherapist.His collaborative work with the International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service (ICEERS) spans a decade of supporting psychedelic experiences, ensuring the relative safety and efficacy of client experiences, through practicing integration therapy.His training includes Holotropic Breathwork facilitator, MAPS certified MDMA assisted psychotherapy for PTSD and the therapeutic use of Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness.Involved in the first medical trials utilizing psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression, he continues to be involved in clinical trials researching psychedelic substances and works as a psychologist in his private practice in Spain.This book review will focus on interpreting the core principles of Aixalà's exploration of the ways in which therapists might support clients undertaking psychedelic experiences, often when they themselves have not been present for the client's experience.