Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy Colorado
Takeaway: While traditional therapy has helped many people, others can benefit from the combined effects of psychedelics and talk therapy. This innovative approach to mental health treatment can help you heal and grow in an entirely new way. Whether you’re looking to deepen your relationship with yourself, break free from old patterns, or navigate loss, psychedelic-assisted therapy can be a useful tool. Get started today.
Many people live disconnected from the deeper parts of themselves. Our modern world, combined with our own defenses, can get in the way of an authentic relationship with ourselves. However, when we fail to embrace who we truly are, we can feel depressed, anxious, lonely, and generally unsatisfied.
That's where psychedelic-assisted therapy comes in. When administered in a safe environment, psychedelics can provide rich, impactful experiences that change the way we think. Combined with the support of a trusted therapist, we can deepen our insight even further.
If you're ready to explore how psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy can help you, I encourage you to reach out. I offer complimentary consultations so you can ask questions and make an informed decision about the type of support you want.
What is psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy?
Psychedelic-assisted therapy is just what it sounds like: mental health care that is combined with the safe, supervised administration of psychedelic drugs. This form of psychedelic therapy involves collaboration with a medical professional and a mental health professional.
To start the process, you'll begin building a relationship with a therapist. You'll share your struggles and goals for treatment, and your therapist can help you determine whether psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is a good fit for you. From here, you'll work together to create a treatment plan that's tailored to you.
If you decide to move forward, you'll need a prescription for the psychedelic drug you'll use during therapy. Currently, ketamine is the substance most often prescribed for psychedelic therapy, with ketamine-assisted psychotherapy being legally available in Colorado and some other states.
Psychedelic research studies are also looking into the effectiveness of MDMA-assisted therapy. There is also lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) research and psilocybin research (the compound in magic mushrooms) taking place. However, these forms of therapy are not legally available outside of clinical trials.
During the therapy session itself, you'll take the prescribed dose of the psychedelic. Your therapist will be there to process the experience with you in real-time. Having this well-established therapeutic relationship provides you with a safe, supportive space to deepen the insight you gain during your psychedelic experience.
Benefits of psychedelic psychotherapy
While it is a relatively new approach, several clinical trials support the therapeutic potential of psychedelic therapy. In fact, one meta-analysis that looked at many different studies showed that psychedelic-assisted therapy was more effective than a placebo.
It's important to carefully consider whether this form of therapy is right for you. With that being said, research shows that there are tons of different positive therapeutic effects. Here are a few that we know of so far.
Cope with anxiety around life-threatening cancer or other illness
Existential anxiety can occur when we're faced with the reality of our own mortality. This is especially true in the case of terminal illness when a person becomes acutely aware that the end of their life is coming.
Research has shown that psychedelic therapy can help ease this existential anxiety. This study used lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in the context of a clinical trial. A similar study found similar effects with the use of psilocybin-assisted therapy.
While more research is needed, early studies with ketamine-assisted therapy and MDMA-assisted therapy show promise as well.
Improve attitudes about your life and yourself
During a psychedelic experience, your consciousness is altered. This can lead you to powerful shifts in the way you think and feel, especially when you can process these experiences with a trained therapist.
Research has shown that psychedelic therapy can positively impact how you view yourself and your life in general. One study in LSD psychotherapy showed that people can experience this benefit in both the short and long term.
Increase empathy
Psychedelic substances can also change our perception of others. In fact, one study showed that MDMA increased empathy and the ability to recognize the emotions of others, specifically in men.
More clinical trials are needed to explore the relationship between psychedelics and empathy, especially how this can be translated to a mental health treatment setting. However, this early research is promising.
Specific mental health conditions that can benefit from psychedelic therapy
There has been more and more research into the therapeutic use of psychedelic substances in recent years. While we're still learning about the long-term effects, psychedelics have been considered a breakthrough therapy for many different mental health conditions. Here are just a few disorders that psychedelic therapy can help with.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Much of the research into psychedelic-assisted therapy has been around post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. While PTSD looks different from person to person, it often entails nightmares and flashbacks related to a traumatic event, along with anxiety, sleep problems, social withdrawal, and many other symptoms.
Psychedelic-assisted therapy for PTSD has been shown to be an effective treatment, especially for PTSD that hasn't responded well to other treatments. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, LSD-assisted therapy, and ketamine-assisted therapy are all effective options for helping trauma survivors thrive again.
Major depressive disorder
Like PTSD, studies have shown that psychedelic therapy can have a positive influence on depression, especially treatment-resistant depression. While more research is needed, early studies show that the effects can last for months following treatment.
This treatment is especially important because of how quickly it can improve quality of life for people suffering from severe depression. According to the Oregon Health Authority, research shows that approximately two-thirds of people with depression can experience remission in just one week when using psilocybin mushrooms under clinical supervision.
Other mental health conditions
While a majority of research focuses on PTSD and depression, there are also several studies that show how helpful psychedelic therapy can be for other conditions. Some of these include:
Substance use disorders, including alcohol use disorder and opioid addiction
Anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Schizophrenia
Bipolar disorder
New studies are constantly emerging. With more time and research, it's likely that we'll discover even more helpful ways to use psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Meet Kendall Schauermann, LPCC
I'm a firm believer in the transformative effects of psychedelic therapy. It's a privilege to journey alongside folks through these experiences, helping them reach greater depths than with psychotherapy alone. I'd be honored to do the same with you.
As a graduate of the Contemplative Psychotherapy and Buddhist Psychology program at Naropa University, self-awareness and self-acceptance are at the core of my work with clients. Psychedelics can be a powerful tool for gaining insight, and when this insight is met with compassion, true growth and healing can take place.
I help people find this compassion through a warm, trusting therapeutic relationship. Though I see each client as a unique individual, my approach always focuses on fostering a strong therapeutic bond.
In our work together, you can expect to be met with consistent curiosity and empathy. We'll create a safe environment where you feel comfortable being yourself: no matter where you're at in your healing journey.
Therapy is a second career for me: one I'm truly passionate about. My own work and life experiences, including raising my children and engaging in daily meditation practice, continue to be powerful forces in my own growth. They also help me create a grounded, meaningful therapeutic space to help people like you find your own way.
Who I help in my practice
I enjoy working with a range of individuals. My specialties are listed below, and I encourage you to reach out if you feel we might be a good match for each other. Again, I believe that the therapeutic relationship is the foundation of healing, so it's important to get a sense of whether we'll be a good fit.
Grief and loss
Loss can take on all forms: death, life transitions, loss of a certain role, and more. Each loss is unique and must be properly grieved in order to move forward. Together, we'll make sense of your experience and help you find meaning after loss.
Fatherhood
Becoming a father is a life-changing experience. Whether you're new to fatherhood or are in the thick of parenting your children, you deserve support. In our work, we'll unpack your experience of fatherhood and explore your identity as a dad.
Healthy masculinity
As men, we don't often have the space or opportunity to safely contemplate our masculinity. In therapy, I help men build a holistic, healthy identity and discover what masculinity means to them.
Finding meaning and purpose
If you're feeling lost or untethered, I'm here to help. Together, we can help you reconnect with both old and new parts of yourself that need (and deserve) attention and care. This journey can be intense, but having support can help keep you grounded.
Anxiety
Living in anxiety can look different from person to person. For some, it's constant worry and muscle tension. For others, it's overachieving and perfectionism. I've supported men in both camps and many areas in between. Let's discover how anxiety shows up for you and how we can work with it to give you a more purposeful life.
Depression
The emotional pain or numbness that comes with depression can be unbearable, but you don't have to cope with it alone. I help men living in depression get to the root of their suffering and find ways to embrace their purpose again.
FAQs about psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in Colorado
This form of treatment is a new experience for many people, so it's natural to have questions. Here, I've addressed some of the most common questions I receive as a practitioner of psychedelic-assisted therapy in Colorado. If you don't see your question here, feel free to reach out and ask away.
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In psychedelic-assisted therapy, the psychotherapist's role is to help you process your experience. Typically, this involves being with you as you experience the effects of a prescribed psychedelic substance in real-time.
However, psychedelic integration can also involve discussing past psychedelic experiences you've had on your own. While I encourage the safe, supervised use of psychedelics in clinical trials or therapeutic settings only, know that your confidentiality is protected within the therapy space.
Each person experiences the dissociative and hallucinogenic effects of psychedelic substances differently. You may have a spiritual experience, come to profound new insights, or even feel sad or scared. No matter what you experience during psychedelic-assisted therapy, your therapist will be there to support you.
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There are many different types of psychoactive drugs used in the context of psychedelic-assisted therapy. In my practice, ketamine is the primary substance used. However, there are studies that support the effectiveness of other psychedelic compounds, including
• MDMA
• LSD
• Psilocybin (magic mushrooms)
• Cannabis
• Ibogaine
• Ayahuasca
More psychiatric research is needed to determine how these substances can be used in a clinical setting and what their long-term effects are. With that being said, current studies show incredible potential.
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Finding psychedelic-assisted therapy in your area depends on the state in which you live. Ketamine is the only psychedelic substance that has gained FDA approval. However, more and more states are starting to legalize other psychedelics due to the growing evidence base.
You can find therapists who practice psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in your area by using search engines, asking for a referral, or using a directory like Psychedelic Support Network. You can also ask people you know if they can make a recommendation.
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in Colorado can help you connect with the deepest parts of yourself. Start the process today.
If you're ready to begin your journey with psychedelic-assisted therapy, I'm ready to meet you. Reach out today to learn more about the process and schedule your complimentary consultation. I look forward to connecting with you.