How to start your own Psychedelic Integration Group

Starting your own psychedelic integration group can be a rewarding way to connect with others and provide community-based support for individuals who have experienced psychedelic journeys. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you establish and run an effective psychedelic integration group:

Step 1: Define Your Vision and Purpose

  1. Clarify Objectives: Determine the primary goals of your group. This might include providing a safe space for sharing experiences, offering educational resources, or promoting mental health and well-being.
  2. Identify Your Audience: Consider who your group will serve. Are you focusing on a specific demographic (e.g., age group, professionals, etc.) or a more general audience?

Step 2: Educate Yourself

  1. Learn About Psychedelics: Understand the various psychedelics and their effects, including potential benefits and risks.
  2. Study Integration Practices: Research best practices for integrating psychedelic experiences into daily life. Consider taking courses or attending workshops on psychedelic integration.

Step 3: Establish a Framework

  1. Set Ground Rules: Create guidelines for respectful and confidential communication. Establish a code of conduct to ensure a safe and supportive environment. We recommend:
    • Opt-out Anonymity: We respect that there are people in the room who wish to remain anonymous, participation of attendees is non-compulsory.
    • Confidentiality: Upholding a commitment to privacy within the group setting, creating a safe space where participants can openly share their experiences without fear of disclosure.
    • Non-Judgmental Attitudes: Fostering an environment devoid of criticism or bias, where individuals can express their thoughts and emotions without apprehension, promoting a culture of acceptance and understanding.
    • Empathy: Cultivating a compassionate atmosphere where participants and community leads alike demonstrate empathy, recognizing and resonating with the emotional experiences shared by individuals undergoing psychedelic journeys.
    • Authenticity: Given a confidential, non-judgemental space conducted amongst empathetic people, it is important to be authentic in your communication and be wary of egoic influences.
  2. Develop a Meeting Structure: Decide on the format of your meetings. This could include open sharing, guided discussions, guest speakers, or themed sessions. Here is a suggested structure:
    • 00:00 – Arrival (10 mins)
      • Everyone should switch off their phone – this ensures confidentiality for everyone in the room.
      • Name tags – phonetically written, first name basis.
      • House keeping – mention where the fire exists, water, toilets are if anyone needs etc.
    • 00:10 – Self Introduction (5 mins)
      • Introduce the moderator(s), describe their experience and disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
    • 00:15 – What are we doing here? (10 mins)
      • A short definition of integration: When taking a psychoactive – at the time it’s hard to understand what is going on, however, overtime, one can get a better perspective as the experience becomes relative to other things in your life.
    • 00:25 – Group introduction (10-15 mins)
      • Opt-out anonymity clause: Silent presence for solidarity + support with community
      • Principles: Confidentiality, non-judgement, Safe space / Trust circle
      • Go around the group, say what brought you here, intention and what you hope to get out of it.
    • 00:40 – So just before we begin… Common References (15 mins)
    • We are all on our own journeys, there is no authority of your experience in the room apart from yourself. This is because the psychedelic experience is often very subjective, however there are some common terms:
      • Ego, ego death, oneness
      • Neuroplasticity
      • Priming and framing
      • Apophenia
      • Cognitive bias
      • Ineffable – not everything can be explained in words.
    • 01:00 – Open floor for discussion (25 mins+)
      • First, the lead should describe a trip of their own and explain how this was integrated into their life. Try to be vulnerable, this will encourage others to do the same.
      • Go around the group, and remind people that they do not need to share and can remain anonymous. But if people would like to open up it will be received with confidentiality, non-judgement, empathy and authenticity.
  3. Determine Frequency: Decide how often your group will meet (e.g., weekly, bi-weekly, monthly).

Step 4: Find a Location

  1. Choose a Safe Space: Face-to-face sessions has been found to be superior to online meetings. Select a comfortable and private location for your meetings. This could be a community center, library, or a cafe.
  2. Consider Accessibility: Ensure the location is accessible to all members, including those with disabilities.

Step 5: Promote Your Group

  1. Create Marketing Materials: Design flyers, posters, and social media posts to spread the word about your group.
  2. Reach Out to the Community: Network with local mental health professionals, community centers, and relevant organizations to promote your group.
  3. Use Online Platforms: Leverage social media, forums, and websites dedicated to psychedelics and mental health to reach a broader audience.

Step 6: Facilitate Meetings

  1. Lead with Compassion: Approach each meeting with empathy and an open mind. Encourage members to share their experiences without judgment.
  2. Provide Structure: Begin each meeting with an introduction, outline the agenda, and close with a summary or reflection.
  3. Invite Guest Speakers: Consider inviting experts in psychedelics, mental health, and integration practices to share their knowledge.

Step 7: Offer Resources

  1. Educational Materials: Provide books, articles, and online resources about psychedelics and integration.
  2. Professional Referrals: Have a list of therapists, counselors, and support services for members who may need additional help.
  3. Integration Tools: Share tools and practices such as journaling, meditation, and mindfulness exercises.

Step 8: Gather Feedback and Improve

  1. Solicit Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback from group members to understand what’s working and what could be improved.
  2. Adapt and Evolve: Be open to making changes based on feedback. Continuously seek ways to enhance the group’s effectiveness and support.

Step 9: Maintain Legal and Ethical Standards

  1. Understand Legal Implications: Be aware of the legal status of psychedelics in your region and ensure your group operates within the law.
  2. Respect Confidentiality: Uphold the privacy and confidentiality of all group members.

Step 10: Foster Community and Support

  1. Build Relationships: Encourage members to connect and support each other outside of meetings.
  2. Create a Safe Space: Continuously work to maintain a safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental environment for all members.

Resources and Support

  • Books: “The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide” by James Fadiman, “How to Change Your Mind” by Michael Pollan.
  • Websites: Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), your local The Psychedelic Society.
  • Courses: Psychedelic integration workshops, online courses on platforms like Coursera or Udemy.

Starting a psychedelic integration group can have a profound impact on your community, offering support and guidance for those navigating their psychedelic experiences. With careful planning, compassion, and dedication, you can create a space that fosters healing and growth. If you would like some free help starting one up please feel free to drop us an email.