Across cultures and history, people have explored non-ordinary states of consciousness for their transformative or healing potential. Music and sound have also been integral to these healing practices. As a music therapist trained from a transpersonal perspective, I am deeply interested in the therapeutic potential of these states, including those accessed through psychedelics. That is why I offer psychedelic integration therapy.
Psychedelic integration therapy supports people in processing a recent psychedelic experience to gain the best therapeutic benefit from the experience. During a psychedelic experience, a variety of feelings, memories, or sensations may arise that need to be processed later so that insight and new patterns of being or thinking can develop.
Due to the content that arises during a psychedelic experience, along with the enhanced window of neuroplasticity that can follow such an experience, integration is important. Some may practice integration on their own through meditating, journaling, making music or listening to music, or making art. For other people, though, psychedelic integration therapy may be needed in order to maximize the therapeutic and mental health benefits of the psychedelic.
Ketamine-Assisted Therapy
One of the psychedelic drugs people may seek integration support for is ketamine treatment. Ketamine is a legal, safe, and effective medicine used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Ketamine can be administered via IV infusion, intramuscular injection, nasal spray, or sublingual lozenges.
Ketamine has rapidly-acting antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects, which can begin to take effect within 1-2 hours after treatment and last for up to 2 weeks. It works by blocking the brain’s NMDA receptors and stimulating AMPA receptors. These AMPA receptors are thought to help form new synaptic connections and boost neural circuits that regulate stress and mood. Ketamine has also been shown to enhance overall neuroplasticity, leading to lasting symptom improvement.
There are a variety of companies offering ketamine treatment, but integration therapy after treatments isn’t always provided, whether due to cost or accessibility.
I’ve created this informational handout on the use of music in ketamine-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression. Taking a neuroscience-informed view, I provide an overview of why music can be helpful in treating depression and how it can help optimize ketamine-assisted therapy. You can access it here.
The Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Services I Offer
The psychedelic integration services that I provide are for adults experiencing treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Psychedelic integration therapy is available for those taking psychedelics by themself, such as microdosing psilocybin or receiving ketamine treatment, where integration services aren’t offered. These sessions can be billed to your insurance if I am in-network with them.
Ketamine Preparation Sessions
Additionally, if you are interested in pursuing ketamine treatment, I can support you in preparing for your sessions. Some ways we can do that include exploring your intentions for the treatment or preparing musical playlists for your journey. These sessions can also be billed to your insurance if I am in-network with them.
Psychedelic Integration Work
Incorporating music into integration work involves making or listening to music. Music itself can induce non-ordinary states of consciousness and can amplify the psychedelic experience. It is evocative, grounding, and cathartic, helping you connect with your feelings and truth. We can explore how music and music therapy impact health and well-being, and use your musical engagement to process insights from your psychedelic experience(s).
Of course, music doesn’t need to be incorporated into the work either. I can still support you in making meaning and integrating your experience.
Please note that in the psychedelic integration therapy or ketamine preparation services I offer, I am not providing or administering any medications.
Contact Me to Learn More
If you would like to engage in Psychedelic Integration Therapy with me, please contact me to discuss the next steps.
Helpful Resources:
- Psychedelic integration: An analysis of the concept and its practice – conceptual analysis by Geoff J. Bathje, Eric Majeski, and Mesphina Kudowor, 2022
- Paradigms of Ketamine Treatment by Raquel Bennett, Psy.D. for MAPS
- Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): Patient Demographics, Clinical Data and Outcomes in Three Large Practices Administering Ketamine with Psychotherapy – research study by Jennifer Dore et al, 2018
- Ketamine for Depression and Mood Disorders by Erica Zelfand, ND for Townsend Letter