Our Approach
We work first and foremost with the breath, and then with various substances which promote awakening, healing and growth.
Our approach to psychedelic-assisted self-discovery, healing and growth is rooted in the principles of holism and a deep reverence for the wisdom of nature. We recognize that each individual is a unique thread woven into the intricate tapestry of nature—an evolving whole comprised of interconnected and dynamic parts.
We firmly believe that within you lies the inherent capacity to uncover your whole essence and live in a state of balance, harmony, unity, and health. While various methods and substances may serve as catalysts for self-discovery, healing, and growth, we understand that the innate tendency of all life is to move towards equilibrium when provided with the proper conditions.
Just as your body possesses the innate ability to heal itself, so too does your consciousness. However, like setting a cast for a broken arm or applying ointment to a cut, creating the right conditions is essential for healing to occur.
As guides, we are committed to creating a relational environment where you feel safe to surrender to your innate intelligence. Building trust is a collaborative process, cultivated through open communication, mutual respect and compassionate inquiry. With trust established, you’ll be able to surrender to your inner wisdom, allowing it to guide you towards wholeness.
Throughout the process, we honour the natural intelligence within you and provide the supportive framework necessary for your innate healing and evolutionary processes to unfold.
Throughout preparation for the experience, the journey, and its integration, we embrace a transcultural and interdisciplinary approach while honouring nature’s intelligence—which is to say—your innate intelligence, because you are nature.
Our approach is trauma-informed and includes a synthesis of psychedelic therapy, mindfulness and Buddhist philosophy, holistic health coaching, developmental and attachment psychology, yoga and yogic philosophy, music and sound therapy, harm reduction, Internal Family Systems (IFS), positive and transpersonal psychology, and philosophical counselling.
When it comes to integration, we understand that the process is yours. We encourage you to build rapport with and listen to your intuition, and we share from our experience without imposing our personal beliefs and worldviews onto you.
If you have any questions, please contact us.
What makes the psychedelic experience so central is that it is a connection into a larger modality of organization on the planet, which is a fancy way of saying it connects you up to the mind of Nature.
— Terence McKenna, Ethnobotanist & Philosopher
Our bespoke services include private and group journeys designed to fully align with your intentions and priorities.
From our interdisciplinary team and network of vetted facilitators, we’ll carefully select a facilitator uniquely suited to work with you.
The comfort of your own home or our private retreat location in Whistler offers an ideal setting for your journey. Moreover, from the precise dosing of your selected substance to music selection, every detail of the experience is curated for you and your goals.
Receive over 12 hours of education, support and guidance through preparation, navigation, and integration of your journey. Our bespoke journey process allows opportunity for deep connection and trust to develop between you and your facilitator(s), leading to a strong alliance. As we come to know you more intimately, our unwavering care and attention will ensure you feel comfortable, safe, and supported throughout.
Whether completely new to psychedelics or highly experienced, our process will facilitate a deeper, more intimate, lifelong and wholesome relationship to sacred medicines, nature, and the timeless wisdom you contain.
Preparation
3x 1hr sessions
Intake + Screening
Microdosing + Preparation
Intention Setting
Mindfulness + Breathwork
Journey
1x ~8hr session
Mindful Movement
Opening
Journey
Closing
Integration
3x 1hr sessions
Integration Sessions
Mindfulness Meditation
Conscious Connected Breathwork
Evergreen Integration Resourcing
When it comes to integration, we offer 3 hours of 1:1 time, but sometimes more is necessary.
Our approach is flexible and customizable to your needs and goals. If you would like to shorten or lengthen the process, we are open to making changes as long as these changes don’t jeopardize your safety and wellbeing.
Working with us, you receive lifelong access to the Psygaia community, including the online platform which offers access to professional and peer support, an evolving library of resources, and access to various events.
Approaches
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Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration (PHRI) is a transtheoretical and transdiagnostic clinical approach to working with patients who are using or considering using psychedelics in any context. The ongoing discussion of psychedelics in academic research and mainstream media, coupled with recent law enforcement deprioritization of psychedelics and compassionate use approvals for psychedelic-assisted therapy, make this model exceedingly timely. Given the prevalence of psychedelic use, the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, and the unique cultural and historical context in which psychedelics are placed, it is important that mental health providers have an understanding of the unique motivations, experiences, and needs of people who use them. PHRI incorporates elements of harm reduction psychotherapy and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, and can be applied in both brief and ongoing psychotherapy interactions. PHRI represents a shift away from assessment limited to untoward outcomes of psychedelic use and abstinence-based addiction treatment paradigms and toward a stance of compassionate, destigmatizing acceptance of patients' choices. Considerations for assessment, preparation, and working with difficult experiences are presented.
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How some Buddhist teachers are not only turning toward psychedelics in their practice but also making it a part of their teaching.
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The concept of integration has garnered increased attention in the past few years, despite a long history of only brief mention. Integration services are offered by therapists, coaches, and other practitioners, or may be self-guided. There are many definitions of psychedelic integration, and the term encompasses a range of practices and techniques. This seems to have led to confusion about what integration is and how it is best practiced. The primary focus of this manuscript is the presentation of the first extensive review and concept analysis of definitions, practices, and models of psychedelic integration. We provide a synthesized definition of integration, synthesized model of integration, and comprehensive summary of integration practices to bring clarity to the subject.
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Integration is about returning towards a state of balance, harmony, wholeness or health. It is a process of transforming insights into traits.
Begin your journey back to wholeness.
All philosophies are mental fabrications. There has never been a single doctrine by which one could enter the true essence of things.
— Nāgārjuna, “The Second Buddha”