306 - Creating Psychological Safety in Psychedelic Work with Kacey Cardin
Jan 28, 2025
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Kacey Cardin, a guide in therapeutic self-discovery through psychedelics and plant medicine, shares her transformative insights. She delves into the ancient wisdom behind psychedelics, emphasizing the creation of psychological safety in therapeutic environments. Kacey discusses the miraculous effects of neuroplasticity and how emotional and physical health assessments guide her treatment. The importance of integration practices, including somatic work and journaling, highlights the healing potential of these journeys, making this an enlightening exploration into the psyche.
Creating psychological safety involves establishing clear agreements and recognizing participants' readiness for psychedelic experiences.
The integration process is essential for participants to synthesize insights from their psychedelic journeys into everyday life.
Facilitators must commit to ongoing personal development to effectively support and hold space for others during therapeutic sessions.
Deep dives
The Essence of Facilitation
Facilitation with psychedelics and plant medicine involves creating a safe and nurturing environment for participants. It is crucial to have a gentle approach, allowing individuals to explore their inner wisdom without feeling pressured. The facilitator must balance their presence, ensuring they neither dominate the space nor become overly passive. This delicate dance of support helps participants engage deeply with their personal experiences and insights.
Understanding Safe Spaces
Creating a safe space is paramount in psychedelic and plant medicine work. Establishing clear agreements and setting expectations upfront helps participants feel secure in their exploration. Prioritizing psychological safety means also recognizing when some individuals may not be ready to engage in such experiences. Thus, a facilitator must gauge the suitability of the participants based on their readiness and mental health, ensuring everyone is prepared for the journey.
Integration as a Key Process
Integration involves synthesizing the insights gained from experiences with psychedelics and plant medicine. Participants often need guidance in processing and incorporating their revelations into their daily lives. This includes activities like journaling and engaging in discussions with someone trained to help make sense of what they experienced. Facilitators recognize that ongoing support is crucial in helping participants break free from old patterns and successfully implement their insights.
Navigating Misconceptions
There are several misconceptions associated with psychedelics and plant medicine, especially regarding their ability to provide quick fixes. While these substances can facilitate profound experiences, they cannot replace the work required for true transformation. Additionally, the shift in perception towards these substances influences the quality of the experiences. Acknowledging that successful journeys depend on proper context and mindset helps in setting realistic expectations.
The Role of Continuous Learning
Continuous personal development is a cornerstone of effective facilitation. A facilitator must engage in ongoing self-reflection and inner work to maintain their ability to hold space for others. It is essential for them to have their own support systems, allowing them to grow and learn from their experiences. This commitment to personal growth not only enhances their practice but also builds trust and safety for participants during their journeys.
This week we take a hiatus from the ‘usual’ facilitation content, to journey into the wonders of the psychedelic with Kacey Cardin, as she introduces us to its sacred, healing powers.
Working with LSD, psilocybin, MDMA and Ketamine as her co-facilitators, Kacey safely guides people - from public figures to leaders - into a state of therapeutic self-discovery, where the unconscious mind becomes conscious, and deep expansion can start to take place.
Step into this fascinating world with us, as Kacey shares the miraculous possibilities of neuroplasticity, somatic integration, and listening to callings from the universe.
Find out about:
The ancient wisdom of psychedelics and plant medicine
The importance of establishing psychological safety through energy and environment
Kacey’s process of integration: from somatic work, to talking, and post-therapeutic journaling
Kacey's approach to the work, using a blend of intuition, experience, and emotional & physical health evaluation
The healing of the nervous system and the emergence of neuroplasticity
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