Psychedelic Coaching Q&A
Getting Started:
Who can benefit from psychedelic-assisted therapy? Psychedelic-assisted therapy may benefit people struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, burnout, life transitions, spiritual disconnection, relationship challenges, or longstanding patterns that feel difficult to shift through traditional approaches alone. Many people also seek this work for personal growth, self-exploration, creativity, or a deeper sense of meaning and connection. If you’re curious whether I can help, I encourage you to reach out.
What is included in the programs? Programs typically include preparation sessions, intention setting, education about the medicine and process, guided psychedelic experiences or coaching support, integration sessions afterward, and personalized recommendations to help you apply insights in daily life. Some intensives may also include mindfulness practices, somatic work, EMDR-informed approaches, ritual elements, nature experiences, or reflective activities such as journaling or labyrinth walks.
How does scheduling work? Scheduling depends on the type of program. Individual preparation and integration sessions are arranged collaboratively based on availability. Intensives or retreats are typically scheduled in advance and may involve multiple sessions over several days. Remote coaching options may offer additional flexibility.
How old do I need to be to partake in your programs? Participants must generally be at least 18 years old. In some cases, additional age-related screening or medical consultation may be recommended depending on health history and the type of program.
Are the sessions done in person or remotely? Preparation and integration sessions may be offered remotely or in person depending on location and program type. Psychedelic experiences themselves are typically conducted in person when facilitation is involved.
Where are you located? Sedona, AZ.
Safety and Preparation:
Can seniors safely participate in your program? Many older adults participate safely and meaningfully in psychedelic work. In fact, some seniors seek this work for emotional healing, life review, grief, spirituality, anxiety, or existential concerns. Medical history, medications, cardiovascular health, and cognitive factors should be carefully evaluated beforehand.
Can I continue taking my prescription medications? Some medications may be safely continued, while others can interfere with psychedelic medicines or increase risks. This is especially important with antidepressants, mood stabilizers, stimulants, and certain cardiac medications. A thorough screening and medical consultation are recommended before participating.
Are there any conditions that preclude me from participating? Certain medical or psychiatric conditions may make psychedelic work unsafe or inappropriate. This can include active psychosis, bipolar I disorder, unmanaged cardiovascular conditions, certain neurological disorders, active substance dependence, or severe instability in daily functioning. Careful screening is an important part of the process.
What if I have a bad trip? Difficult experiences can happen, but they are not necessarily harmful. Psychedelic experiences sometimes bring up fear, grief, vulnerability, or unresolved emotional material. With proper preparation, support, and integration, challenging moments can often become meaningful parts of the healing process rather than something to fear.
Can I skip or shorten the preparation phase? Preparation is one of the most important parts of psychedelic work. It helps establish safety, clarify intentions, build trust, reduce anxiety, and prepare emotionally for the experience. Skipping preparation often reduces the depth, safety, and long-term benefit of the process.
What are the risks of using psychedelics? Risks can include anxiety, panic, confusion, emotional overwhelm, retraumatization, impaired judgment, difficult psychological experiences, or worsening of underlying psychiatric conditions in vulnerable individuals. There may also be medical risks depending on medications or health history. This is why screening and professional support matter.
How safe are psychedelics? When approached carefully and responsibly, psychedelics can be used relatively safely for many people. However, they are not risk-free. Screening, preparation, emotional support, medical awareness, and proper integration all play important roles in reducing risks and supporting positive outcomes.
Do I need a facilitator or can I just do this on my own? Some people choose to explore psychedelics independently, but having skilled support can significantly improve safety, preparation, emotional processing, and integration. A facilitator can help reduce risks, provide grounding during difficult moments, and help translate insights into lasting change.
The Experience & Facilitation
What is the role of the facilitator? The facilitator helps create a safe, grounded, supportive environment before, during, and after the experience. Their role is not to control or direct the journey, but to help participants feel emotionally supported, physically safe, and better able to navigate whatever arises. Most clients seeking psychedelic-assisted work desire to work through personal, mental, and emotional issues that have been suppressed for a long time (i.e. anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, etc.). The idea of releasing and confronting these parts of ourselves can be very intimidating, and often too uncomfortable to bear without external, professional support. Your facilitator will provide the guidance and support you need to engage with psychedelic medicine in a safe and meaningful way.
What are your qualifications as a facilitator? I am a licensed psychologist with more than 30 years of clinical experience specializing in trauma, eating disorders, EMDR, and psychospiritual approaches to healing. I have advanced training in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, integration work, and trauma-informed care, along with extensive experience supporting clients through transformative and spiritually meaningful experiences.
Can my therapist be involved in the process? Absolutely. Collaboration with an existing therapist can often be very helpful. With your permission, preparation and integration work can be coordinated to support continuity of care and deeper therapeutic integration.
Should I journey alone or with my partner? That depends on your goals, relationship dynamics, and comfort level. Some people benefit from deeply personal individual work, while others find that shared experiences with a partner can strengthen communication, intimacy, empathy, and emotional connection. In some cases, both individual and shared sessions may be beneficial.
Where do the ceremonies take place? Ceremonies and intensives may take place in private retreat-style settings, therapeutic offices, or carefully curated healing environments designed to support comfort, privacy, safety, and reflection. Some programs also incorporate nature-based or psychospiritual elements.
How is this different than recreational use of psychedelics? Therapeutic or ceremonial psychedelic work is intentional, structured, and focused on healing, growth, and integration. It involves preparation, emotional support, careful attention to set and setting, and follow-up integration work. Recreational use is often more socially or entertainment-oriented and may not include these supportive elements.
Can you guarantee that I will have a mystical experience? No experience can be guaranteed. Every psychedelic journey is unique and influenced by mindset, preparation, environment, emotional readiness, and many other factors. While some people report deeply spiritual or mystical experiences, others experience subtle emotional insights or gradual personal shifts over time.
Psychedelic Medicine
Which psychedelic medicine should I use? This is a highly personal decision and the answer depends on your unique situation (your goals, mental health history, comfort level, medical considerations, and the type of experience you are seeking). Different medicines — such as psilocybin, ketamine, MDMA, or cannabis — have different effects, strengths, risks, and therapeutic applications.
Do you provide the psychedelic medicine? No. I do not provide or prescribe illegal psychedelic substances. Participants are responsible for understanding and complying with local laws and regulations. Ketamine services may involve collaboration with licensed medical providers where legally appropriate. I am able to assist within the scope of harm reduction by providing educational resources on how to source safely.
Does it matter what strain of mushrooms I use? Set, setting, dosage, preparation, and emotional readiness usually matter far more than specific mushroom strains. While some strains may vary somewhat in potency or subjective feel, the overall quality of the experience is influenced much more by mindset, support, and environment.
Is this legal? My work is grounded in a harm reduction approach, which focuses on education, preparation, safety, emotional support, and integration rather than providing illegal substances. I do not provide or prescribe psychedelic medicines outside of legally permitted frameworks. While ketamine may be legally prescribed in certain clinical settings, most psychedelic substances remain federally illegal in the United States, including in Arizona. Arizona has not decriminalized psychedelics at the state or local level in the way some other states and cities have. Harm reduction recognizes that many people are already exploring psychedelics independently or through legal therapeutic avenues. Rather than ignoring that reality, this approach aims to reduce potential risks by emphasizing informed decision-making, screening for contraindications, careful preparation, safe set and setting, emotional support, and meaningful integration afterward. Ultimately, participation in psychedelic work is a personal decision that involves understanding both the potential benefits and the legal and psychological risks. My role is to provide trauma-informed, ethical, and supportive guidance focused on safety, responsibility, and integration.
Pricing & Programs
How much does your program cost? Pricing varies depending on the type of support, length of the program, level of facilitation, location, and whether the experience is individual, couples-based, or group-oriented. Some clients participate in shorter coaching and integration programs, while others engage in multi-day intensives or retreat experiences. As a ballpark, a ceremonial package which includes an intake, two preparation sessions, journey facilitation, and two integration sessions costs $2750. The program time for this spans approximately 3 months.
How does pricing work for groups? If you have a group of two or more, facilitators offer a group pricing discount (on average 25% for each person) which is finalized depending on group size.