Psychedelic Conversations | Saj Razvi - Psychedelic Somatic Institute #56
Sep 4, 2022
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Join us as we dive into a wide range of topics with Saj Razvi, founder of the Psychedelic Somatic Institute. We explore psychedelic psychotherapy, the three tiers of transpersonal reality, traditional vs psychedelic therapy, the role of relationship in the window of tolerance, working with transference, and the PSI training programs. Don't miss out on fascinating discussions about making psychedelics accessible, the role of cannabis in therapy, and plans for a training hub in Europe and the UK.
Psychedelic therapy allows for deep exploration of trauma and attachment wounds, offering the potential for symptom resolution and transformative healing.
Addressing negative transference in a therapeutic relationship creates a powerful container for healing and prevents it from manifesting in other important relationships outside of therapy.
Psychedelic experiences often exceed the window of tolerance, allowing access to deeply rooted trauma and attachment issues.
Deep dives
The Shift in Consciousness caused by Psychedelics
Psychedelics induce a neurological shift in consciousness, taking the brain away from the distinctly human form of consciousness and towards a more primitive animalistic state. This shift can be beneficial for those seeking to address mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, panic, and relationship problems caused by childhood trauma and neglect.
The Essence of Psychedelic Psychotherapy
Psychedelic psychotherapy is a form of therapy that utilizes psychedelic substances to treat mental health concerns. It involves entering a more experiential mindset, similar to a waking dream. While many people approach psychedelic therapy with a focus on spiritual or transpersonal experiences, it is equally valuable to address the humanness and relational wounds within individuals. Psychedelic therapy allows for deep exploration of trauma and attachment wounds, offering the potential for symptom resolution and transformative healing.
Working with Transference and Negative Transference in Therapy
Transference, an integral part of psychodynamic therapy, also plays a significant role in psychedelic therapy. By working with transference, therapists acknowledge and explore the client's complex and incomplete experiences with relationships, allowing for the healing of relational wounds. Negative transference, discomfort or negative feelings towards the therapist or relationship, arises and must be embraced instead of dismissed. Addressing negative transference in a therapeutic relationship creates a powerful container for healing and prevents it from manifesting in other important relationships outside of therapy.
Trauma Resolution Therapy and Training
The podcast episode explores trauma resolution therapy and the training required to become a trauma therapist. The speaker emphasizes the importance of having experienced clinicians in the field due to the intense nature of the work. Therapists should have at least two years of clinical experience and be well-versed in holding a safe and supportive space for clients. The training model focuses on a deep dive approach, with small groups of three students working closely with the instructor over five days. The therapist's role is crucial in facilitating the healing process and supporting clients as they move through their trauma.
The Role of Relationship and Body in Psychedelic Therapy
The podcast delves into the significance of the therapeutic relationship and the role of the body in psychedelic therapy. The concept of the 'window of tolerance' is discussed, referring to the optimal range of arousal for effective therapy. While traditional therapy emphasizes staying within this window, the speaker argues that trauma resolution requires going beyond it. Psychedelic experiences often exceed the window of tolerance, but they allow access to deeply rooted trauma and attachment issues. The role of cannabis and other psychedelics, such as MDMA and psilocybin, is highlighted as facilitators in uncovering dissociation. The speaker advocates for therapists to be open to integrating psychedelics into their practice, as they offer transformative potential beyond traditional therapy methods.
Episode 56:
In this episode, we talk with Saj Razvi at the "PSI" - Psychedelic Somatic Institute - to discuss a wide variety of topics including psychedelic psychotherapy, the three tiers of transpersonal reality, traditional vs psychedelic therapy, the role of relationship in the window of tolerance, working with transference, the PSI training programs and so much more!
00:00 - Fire Moment
01:42 - Introduction
02:51 - Saj's Background Story
06:56 - Psychedelic Psychotherapy
14:37 - The Three Tiers Of Transpersonal Reality
25:17 - Traditional Vs Psychedelic Therapy
28:54 - What Level Of Therapists Come To Your Trainings?
33:53 - Making Psychedelics Accessible To Facilitators
37:35 - The Role Of Relationship In The Window Of Tolerance
45:44 - Working With Transference
55:33 - PSI Training Programs, Working With Cannabis
1:01:46 - Thoughts On Avoiding Psychedelic Therapy
1:06:05 - Where To Reach Saj, The PSI Website
1:10:03 - Outro
About Saj:
Saj Razvi is the Director of Education at PSI. He is a psychotherapist and former clinical researcher in the MAPS Phase 2 trial of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. He is faculty at Mind Medicine Australia and taught PTSD studies at the University of Denver. He is one of the primary developers of the Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy (PSIP) modality which is a next generation, primary consciousness-oriented psychotherapy. The focus of PSIP is to maximize the relational and autonomic healing capacity of psychedelic medicine to treat complex, childhood developmental trauma. Saj's primary focus is to train clinicians to provide legal, effective psychedelic treatment in their private practice settings utilizing readily accessible medicines such as cannabis and ketamine. He provides PSI trainings and supervision to students internationally.
Psychedelic Conversations Podcast is designed to educate, inform, and expand awareness.
For more information, please head over to https://www.psychedelicconversations.com
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This show is for information purposes only and is not intended to provide mental health or medical advice.
About Susan Guner:
Susan is a trained somatic, trauma-informed holistic psychotherapist with a mindfulness-based approach grounded in Transpersonal Psychology that focuses on holistic perspective through introspection, insight, and empathetic self-exploration to increase self-awareness, allowing the integration of the mind, body and spirit aspects of human experience in personal growth and development.
