How to Choose a Psychedelic Support Person
The Australian Psychedelic Society has witnessed the increasing interest and enthusiasm surrounding psychedelic substances. However, with this increased curiosity comes a need to navigate the psychedelic landscape with care and mindfulness.
In recent years we've observed various issues arising from the psychedelic underground and potential for issues in the emerging clinical frameworks. From safety concerns to ethical considerations, it's clear that proper guidance is essential for those embarking on psychedelic journeys. That's where the role of a knowledgeable and experienced guide becomes indispensable.
Understanding Semantics
In the ever-evolving landscape of psychedelics, there's a lack of standardised definitions for terms like trip sitter, guide, facilitator, and therapist. This ambiguity underscores the importance of thoroughly vetting potential guides and clarifying their roles and responsibilities.
The Importance of a Psychedelic Support Person
Imagine embarking on a journey into the unknown without a map or compass. A sitter/guide or faccilitator can serve as a beacon of light for those who feel they need it, providing tools and support to navigate the complexities of the psychedelic terrain with grace and safety. This is not to say many of us have not had profound, safe, beneficial solo journeys or journeys supported by peers or even alone, we have. For those of us seeking a guide, the following tips will aid you in working out if someone is right for you. See below under Exploring Options for some suggestions about who might want to consider different levels of support around and during a psychedelic experience.
Qualifications do sometimes matter
When choosing a support, it's crucial to consider their qualifications and/or experience. Look for individuals with direct experience with psychedelics, professional sitting experience, and if you so desire formal training or certification. Many underground therapists may not be trauma-informed, meaning they may not understand the nuances of how a psychedelic experience may bring past trauma to the surface to be dealt with, this can sometimes cause distress if your chosen support person is unable to support you through this. Additionally, ensure that their framework and approach align with your unique needs and preferences.
Empowerment and Agency
As journeyers, it's essential to recognise our agency in choosing the right guide for our psychedelic experience. Take the time to identify your needs and level of support required, empowering yourself to make informed decisions about your journey. It is important to discuss the extent of physical contact and to agree on physical boundaries.
Intuition and Comfort
Feeling comfortable and at ease in the presence of your guide is paramount, as the psychedelic journey involves vulnerability and deep personal exploration. Beyond credentials, the human connection and resonance with the guide are crucial factors to consider.
Trip sitter: A trip sitter is someone who provides a sober and supportive presence during a psychedelic experience. Their primary role is to ensure the safety and well-being of the individual undergoing the trip. They may offer reassurance, comfort, and assistance with practical matters such as providing water or adjusting the environment. Trip sitters do not typically guide the experience or offer therapeutic interventions or the substance but instead act as a calm and stabilising presence. They can be trusted friends or someone offering a professional service. Some people may find remote sitting adequate, where a support person is identified to be contacted or make contact during the experience, though this approach has obvious limitations where using devices during an experience can be challenging and where distress can arise suddenly and make reaching out difficult.
Guide: A guide, also known as a psychedelic guide or journey guide, plays a more active role in supporting and facilitating a psychedelic experience. Guides are often individuals with experience and training in psychedelic therapy, counseling, or related fields. They provide emotional support, guidance, and structure throughout the journey, helping the individual navigate their inner experiences, process emotions, and gain insights. Guides may also incorporate various therapeutic techniques, rituals, or ceremonies to enhance the healing potential of the psychedelic experience.
Facilitator: A facilitator bridges the gap between a trip sitter and a guide, offering a blend of support and guidance during a psychedelic journey. They may have training or experience in fields such as psychology, counselling, or alternative healing modalities. Facilitators aim to create a safe and conducive environment for the individual to explore their psyche and inner landscapes. They may provide gentle encouragement, reflective listening, and skillful interventions to facilitate the integration of insights and experiences. Facilitators often work collaboratively with the individual to co-create a meaningful and transformative journey. Often, the term facilitator is used to describe guides who will also provide the medicine.
Exploring Options
To decide on the right approach to a psychedelic experience for you it is important to think about your situation and intentions, read more on intentions and expectations here.
If you are experiencing significant physical or psychological health concerns, a higher level of guidance may be indicated and the person providing that guidance may require a different level of experience and a different set of skills.
Those with serious mental health concerns or a significant trauma history should consider the benefits of seeking professionally qualified support at least for preparation and integration, and would often benefit from having an experienced sitter or guide present. More emphasis should also be placed on identifying and learning effective skills for grounding and emotional regulation before the experience as well as actively planning ahead for what to do if the experience becomes challenging.
If you are planning to use the psychedelic experience to explore some difficult aspects of your past or current human experience, a higher level of support may be indicated. This is particularly true if you are not well experienced with the substances you intend to use for this purpose.
It is important to be mindful of the common situation where an experience was entered without any intention to unpack trauma or difficult emotions or memories and yet these issues come up spontaneously. This should be considered by everyone undertaking a psychedelic experience. Are there difficulties happening for you now or in the past that may arise unintentionally during the altered state, and how best could such a situation be handled during the experience?
Think about what you’re seeking from the experience, what things should be considered in preparing for the experience, practical aspects of how to approach preparing for the experience and what support might be most appropriate for you. Seek advice from the community and use the myriad of resources available from a range of organisations. If you are unsure whether now is a good time to have a psychedelic experience, particularly if you are new to these experiences, ask the community, but don’t undertake an experience unless you are comfortable that it is the right time and in the right setting for your circumstances and intention. There is no rush. Take your time to explore these options, weighing the benefits and challenges of each approach.
Psychedelic Integration: Making Sense of the Journey
Beyond the psychedelic experience itself, the integration process is essential for making sense of confusing experiences, generating useful narratives, and understanding insights. Integration tools help address lingering distress, resolve conflicts with core belief and values, and cope with the fading of the psychedelic experience.
Integration involves thoughtfully making changes based on new insights, addressing psychological content such as trauma, and adjusting back to regular life. It also includes building connections, seeking social support and community, and engaging with your self via creativity, movement, art, dancing, and nature.
Integration may mean different things to different people and many people have their own ways of integrating psychedelic experiences, find ways of making meaning that work for you. There is no right or wrong way to integrate a psychedelic journey.
Below are some questions you could ask a potential Trip Sitter, Guide or Facilitator, your support person should feel comfortable answering these questions.
Qualifications and Experience:
What is your experience with psychedelics, and how long have you been working as a facilitator?
Have you undergone any formal training or certification relevant to guiding psychedelic experiences?
Can you share examples of your previous work or testimonials from clients you've guided?
Approach and Framework:
What is your guiding philosophy or approach when facilitating psychedelic experiences?
How do you typically prepare clients for their journey, and what integration support do you offer afterward?
Can you describe the framework or structure you use during a psychedelic session?
Safety and Support:
What safety measures do you have in place to ensure a safe and comfortable experience?
How do you handle challenging or difficult experiences that may arise during the journey?
What level of support can I expect from you before, during, and after the psychedelic session?
Will you be able to contact an ambulance if it is required, and would you be willing to do so?
Will there be sober supporters present and do they have first aid training?
Client Needs and Preferences:
How do you tailor your approach to meet the individual needs and preferences of each client?
Are there any specific modalities or techniques you incorporate into your sessions, such as music, breathwork, or somatic practices?
Can we discuss my intentions and goals for the psychedelic experience, and how will you support me in achieving them?
Integration and Follow-Up:
What resources or tools do you provide to help with integration in the days, weeks, and months following the psychedelic session?
How do you support clients in making sense of their experiences and applying insights to their daily lives?
Do you offer follow-up sessions or ongoing support for integration after the initial session?
Boundaries and Ethics:
What are your boundaries as a facilitator, guide or sitter and how do you maintain ethical standards in your practice?
Can you clarify the confidentiality and privacy policies regarding our sessions and discussions?
How do you handle situations where there may be conflicts of interest or ethical dilemmas?
What is your stance on physical contact with participants? Will you discuss this before the experience and adhere to my expressed boundaries during the experience?
Where do you source your medicine (if relevant)?
Logistics and Practicalities:
What is the cost of your services, and what payment methods do you accept?
Where do sessions typically take place, and what are the logistics involved in scheduling and preparing for a session?
What facilities are at the site where the session takes place (outdoors/enclosed, bedding, toileting etc.)?
Are these 1:1 or group sessions? How large will the group be and what will the ratio of sitters/guides/facilitators to participants be?
Do you have any specific requirements or guidelines for clients to follow before their psychedelic experience
If you have concerns about your own Psychedelic journey there are organisations such as EPIC (Ethical Psychedelic International Community) who offers free space for you to share and discuss ethical issues and concerns regarding individuals, organizations, and events within the plant medicine or psychedelic space. Please Note: EPIC do not provide therapeutic, medical, legal or crisis support.
