Out of the Office and Into the Wild: Rethinking Psychedelic Therapy for True Healing
I was recently asked: How do you think we can foster social connectedness in the current Western model of psychedelic-assisted therapy?
This is my answer:
I believe the current Western model of psychedelic-assisted therapy needs to make some important changes in order to foster true social connectedness. Too often, research has been conducted from a medical context focused on symptom reduction. While helpful, this approach overlooks the deeper potential for holistic growth and spiritual evolution that psychedelics can offer.
By focusing primarily on individual symptom treatment, we miss an essential piece: connection. True healing isn’t just about reducing symptoms—it’s about expanding one's awareness and experiencing a greater connection to the self, to others, and to the natural world around us. In its current form, the Western model often isolates individuals in sterile, clinical environments, which, while safe, can limit the opportunity for shared healing.
To foster real social connectedness, we need to rethink how psychedelic-assisted therapy is delivered. Imagine therapy taking place in nature, where we can experience firsthand the interconnectedness of all things. Group settings can also open the door for collective healing, allowing individuals to share their stories, co-regulate, and learn from one another’s experiences. The healing process becomes not just individual but a collective, shared journey.
If we shift our view of psychedelic therapy from merely a tool for symptom management to one of holistic transformation, we can create a truly healing environment—one that extends beyond the walls of a clinic and taps into the power of community and the natural world.
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