What are non-ordinary states of consciousness?

These are states of awareness outside our normal everyday experiences that expand beyond our mind’s perceived limitations. By accessing these states, it seems that growth, healing and understanding can and do occur, sometimes with greater ease and/or when more traditional avenues of support have been unsuccessful. By intentionally accessing these non-ordinary states, people can find ways to release past traumas and create an entirely new meaning of life and the world.

“When we work with these states, we can learn much about the human psyche, consciousness, and even the nature of reality.” -Stan Grof

What is mind-body therapy?

Our approach utilizes somatic and cognitive techniques, expressive tools, and activities, such as parts work, sound, art, movement, breath, visualization, etc. to explore past experiences, future fears or desires, belief systems, and cultural conditioning, as it is experienced in the present moment. The client focuses on the body sensations and, when a feeling of safety can be cultivated, begins to identify and process emotions, thoughts, and beliefs, especially those that historically have been overwhelming or intolerable.

Techniques are pulled from Internal Family Systems, Hakomi method, somatic experiencing, sensorimotor therapy, and polyvagal therapy.

Who is this approach appropriate for?

The use of somatic and mind-body modalities is for the purposes of emotional processing, spiritual emergence, creativity enhancement, stress management, exploring life purpose, and self-discovery. This approach is recommended for those who wish to be free of pain from certain experiences or circumstances, to change the nature of their current and future relationships, and to align with their fullest potential. These modalities are often used in the treatment of trauma, eating disorders, grief and loss recovery, and emotional regulation.

What is the frequency and length of treatment?

Each treatment plan is individualized based on unique needs and goals. Some people may participate in six to ten weekly sessions to focus on a specific area or goal, such as integrating a psychedelic experience, and reconnect when and if there is a new need. Some people utilize our services every few weeks or months to gain new perspectives or explore blocks that arise in life. Some people utilize services on a set schedule for six months or longer to have a continued source of support through a long-term growth or recovery process.

Is birth preparation the same as doula services?

Doulas typically offer a physical support component, are present during labor, may act as an advocate for someone in their healthcare choices, and provide short-term postpartum support. Our services focus on the emotional support and self-care components of birth preparation and in the postpartum period. We provide informational support within our scope of practice and help connect people with resources and/or referrals if more specialized information is desired. We can also provide long-term postpartum support. We do not act as a healthcare advocate but can work with people in clarifying their choices and wishes and self-advocating. We do not offer physical or labor support but can help to connect people with resources and referrals for individuals who offer these services. We provide support to mothers and to partners or other guardians.

What is psychedelic integration and preparation?

Integration restructures the mind, body, and spirit after an experience of a non-ordinary state of consciousness involving psychedelics. It involves therapeutic and somatic processing of the experience and support incorporating insights. Integration centers on compassion, empathy, education, and safety to create a transformative experience of the psyche and spirit and create an easier transition into day-to-day life with new perspectives.

Psychedelic education includes, but is not limited to, what to expect from specific psychedelics and potential risks and benefits, current research outcomes and protocols, mindset and environmental setting and why these are crucial to explore, and safety topics in underground or foreign guided psychedelic experiences. Our preparation work centers on parts work pulled from Internal Family Systems, which can help mitigate the experience of “contraction” or “spiritual bypassing” sometimes reported in psychedelic experiences.

*We offer a limited number of cannabis-assisted therapy sessions for individuals, please call for more information.

What is cannabis-assisted therapy?

CAPT (cannabis-assisted psychotherapy) is rooted in trauma-informed, transpersonal, somatic, mindfulness and psychedelic therapies, with cannabis as the medicine. Cannabis activates both the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous system simultaneously, potentially allowing trauma stored in the cells and connective tissues of the body to be re-experienced in a more tolerable way, thus creating the conditions for discharge and resolution. Unlike some psychedelics, cannabis allows the client to maintain agency throughout the process, choosing how deep to go, at what pace, or when to titrate out of the experience. Clients must obtain their own plant medicine, which is available legally in California, and therapist acts as a sitter and guide during the experience.

What is trauma-informed therapy?

Trauma means many different things, and there is no one way that people will respond. The way trauma impacts a person depends on how what happened is interpreted: emotionally, intellectually, and physically. Trauma-informed therapy is not a specific intervention, but rather taking an individual’s trauma history, triggers, and specific needs into context. Therapy is approached collaboratively with a complete picture of the client’s life in mind, including the impact of trauma. Learning how our past wounds impact our mental, emotional, and physical wellness is emphasized and somatic approaches are utilized to support release of stuck emotions or unburdening of wounded parts. There is a focus on understanding the connection between past trauma and our present responses.