The benefits of psychedelics are gaining popularity exponentially and for good reason, with research and leading doctors and scientists seeing the incredible benefits for your mental health, but is this something that you can do in a group format? It seems scary to even think about being in an altered state with other people around. Group psychotherapy with psychedelics is actually a very supportive way to gain not just the benefits of psychedelics but also the incredible benefits of group therapy. In particular, group psychedelics for people with cancer, trauma, anxiety, and couples therapy are very powerful.
Irwin Yalom, a renowned psychiatrist who is know for using the benefits of group psychotherapy, talks about important benefits of group therapy. While sharing with other people may feel intimating, there are many benefits of group experience with psychedelics include:
- Creating close connection with others struggling with similar issues. Group members feel vulnerable yet safe and supported, which can enhance your relationships with others, something that you may never have experienced before.
- Ability to form positive emotional bonds with others during this window of time when you can change relational patterns with the aid of the psychedelics. With the assistance of trained psychedelic guides, you can transform some patterns of thinking and being with others, during the neuroplastic state offered by psychedelics.
- Enhanced feeling of connection and compassion for your fellow group members.. Psychedelics can amply feeling of connection with others and offer understanding and compassion for fellow beings, while being in a safe, group environment. The sense of camaraderie that develops within the group helps members feel understood and accepted. Group cohesion can enhance the therapeutic process and facilitate personal growth.
- Universality: Group therapy helps individuals realize that they are not alone in their struggles. Seeing others who share similar issues and hearing their stories can provide a sense of comfort and validation. This realization reduces feelings of isolation and helps individuals understand that their experiences are common.
- Hope: Hope: Witnessing the progress and growth of others in the group can instill hope in individuals facing similar challenges. Seeing that change is possible and achievable can motivate and inspire group members to persevere in their own therapeutic journey.
So how do you address your fears about group therapy and dive in? Are the benefits worth the potential gains? A resounding yes, and here are ways to overcome your fears and join in:
- First off, know everyone feels nervous and scared sharing personal details of their life and their emotional wounds. With the aid of trained therapists, they create a safe container and allow people to share as little or as much as they want. With a trained group therapist, you will never be forced to share something you don’t want to. You are in control.
- Being vulnerable and trying something new is a growth edge for most people, and it is important to allow step out of our comfort zone for our personal growth and to experience positive changes in our lives. Group therapy experiences enhance who we are allow us to open up to new possibilities.
- What if I do something or say something I regret in an altered state? Certified assisted psychedelic therapists are trained to address those fears in the group setting and normalize those worries. It is ok if you behave in a way that is not typical for you, everyone else is in the same boat, and letting your hair down and allowing all expressions of yourself is healthy and healing.
- Will my private disclosures be shared with others? That is a common concern, but a skilled group leader ensures that all participants respect the private, confidential circle of the group or retreat and do not share outside of the group.
One of my favorite parts of leading psychedelic retreats is the profound healing that happens between group members in a short amount of time. It is exciting to see the support and vicarious healing that group members experience by hearing other’s stories and how they manage their challenges. A deep sense of belonging and connection happens quickly in the group format, allowing for rewiring of social experiences and possibility of new, healthier relational patterns.
Heather Lee of Medicine Woman Retreats shares: “Having spent almost two decades as a therapist working with clients individually, in groups and on retreats, I can attest to the beautiful healing power of the retreat setting. When we come together over a week or weekend on a retreat with the intention to truly see each other and hold space for each other’s experiences we create a community of connection and compassion. This container, that is the group, becomes one of the core healing elements of the retreat.”
There are many ways to experience group therapy, such as join a local support group through your community, or attending a retreat. At Wellness and Wisdom Journeys, we offer safe, supportive group experiences in small group settings for both women and couples. Monica Ramunda is the owner of Rocky Mountain Counseling and Sacred Healing Journeys and the Co-founder of Wellness and Wisdom Journeys Please reach out at rockymtncounseling@gmail.com to me at to learn more.
