Psilocybin Therapy: A New Approach to Mental Health

As interest in psychedelic therapy grows not only in the United States but also around the world, psilocybin has emerged as a particularly worthy substance. This is partly due to the fact that legal psilocybin sessions have been approved and conducted in Oregon since last year, attracting considerable attention.

Psilocybin sessions conducted under Oregon law are not for recreational purposes. Instead, they are conducted for therapeutic purposes under the guidance of trained facilitators at certified psilocybin service centers. This is because psilocybin is classified as a controlled substance in the United States, subject to strict regulations and potential risks associated with its use. Therefore, it must be administered under the supervision of trained facilitators.

In the United States, the prevalence of mental health issues is increasing, with one in ten individuals reportedly experiencing some form of mental health challenge. In such a context, psilocybin therapy holds promise as a new approach, with sessions conducted in the field showing significant efficacy in addressing psychological issues.

Research into psilocybin therapy has demonstrated its effectiveness in addressing various mental health issues, including depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and reducing fear of death. This suggests that psilocybin has the potential to repair neural circuits in the brain and bring about new perspectives and insights, making it a powerful tool for addressing psychological issues. However, it is important to recognize that psilocybin session is not to be taken lightly and can be a profoundly important experience for clients.

In my training, I underwent over 100 hours of didactic lectures, as well as 40 hours of practicum (where I received psilocybin and other psychedelic substance sessions to digest the experience and apply it to individual sessions) and another 40 hours of shadowing (attending actual client psilocybin sessions, shadowing, and learning hands-on). Through these experiences, I was able to directly learn about the emotional dynamics and needs of clients during sessions.

During individual sessions, I learned what is necessary to provide a safe space for clients to embark on a deep inner journey and have a transformative experience. I also learned the importance of preparing my own mind to be able to respond to the needs of clients attentively for better integration afterward.

Psilocybin therapy is still in its early stages globally, with Colorado being the next state to develop it further. There is still much misunderstanding and apprehension surrounding psychedelic drugs and their use, emphasizing the importance of educating people. However, research in the fields of neuroscience and depth psychology is rapidly advancing, and I hope to continue sharing the usefulness and safety of psilocybin therapy through the experiences of my clients and the knowledge gained from my training programs.